Trucks are the backbone of trade and commerce; most of the products we use in our daily lives, such as electronics, clothing, fresh foods, and so on, depend on trucks at some point during the distribution chain.
With advancements in technology, cars now have many features that enhance the driving experience, but why are these comforts not available in trucks? Truck drivers spend countless hours on the road, with over 80% of all drivers living out of their trucks; a typical Indian trucker leads an extremely challenging lifestyle. In this case, comfort becomes a necessity, not a luxury. Like modern cars, commercial trucks should also have comfort features so drivers can stay focused and comfortable during their journey. Some of the comfort features available in modern vehicles can be very expensive, but some necessary features do not cost a fortune.
In this article, we will discuss creature comforts that should be standard in trucks.
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror: Truck drivers travel day and night, and night shifts can be difficult as truckers might be dazzled by traffic traveling behind. The auto-dimming rearview mirror offers great safety during night shifts. It consists of a mirror and an electronic system that detects light coming from the front or behind using photo sensors. Very few trucks have these features. You can visit websites like 91Trucks and have a look.
If the light from behind is greater than that in front, the mirror is darkened, which improves drivers’ visibility, reduces eyestrain, decreases driver fatigue, and promotes safe driving. - Power steering with telescopic and tilt adjustment: Power steering allows drivers to steer heavy vehicles with much less effort and greater comfort, and when it comes to trucks, this becomes a fundamental necessity. Power steering has now become common in trucks; however, telescopic and tilt adjustments should also be standardized. Every individual is of a different shape and size; manufacturers should understand that this feature should be a must-have in trucks so that driving becomes easier and more comfortable.
- Navigation System: The navigation system is the most important feature that should be in trucks. It is impossible that drivers will know the route all the time. Having a dedicated navigation system is crucial to knowing real-time traffic updates, road closures, and gas stations on the way. Currently, truck drivers use their phones by either hanging them on the windshield or holding their phones while driving, which is extremely dangerous. A navigation system minimizes distractions and promotes safer driving.
- Dead Pedal: A dead pedal can be a cheap, valuable addition to trucks. Most of the time during driving, especially on highways, the left foot does not have much work to do, and, as a result, there is no position in trucks where drivers can rest their left foot; this can turn out to be harmful while driving. Drivers may start experimenting with different positions, which may confuse them while driving. If the dead pedal is standard in all trucks, drivers will be able to rest their feet on it and be comfortable while driving.
- Automatic climate control: Modern cars have 3-zone or even 4-zone climate control that sets the cabin temperature at the level set by the driver. In a manual air conditioning system, the driver must toggle the controls to maintain a constant temperature inside the cabin because if the outside temperature increases or decreases, it affects the temperature of the cabin. But things are a lot more comfortable with automatic climate control because cabin temperatures remain constant irrespective of the temperature outside.
In fact, in some places in India, truck drivers need to constantly change the temperature and fan speed to escape the heat; because of this, the windshield gets fogged up, which is a safety hazard.
These are all the 5 creature comfort features that should be standardized in all trucks, considering the price one has to pay as a customer. Manufacturers should also standardize these 5 features across the lineup; whether one buys a base model or the top model, these features should remain the same.
