Memories for us old truckers

[DMiller]

Were there still any Trailmobile or Fruehauf torsion rides when you got in the business TS? Only ever saw one, Fruehauf and was used for storage at quarry, older mechanic noted Trailmobile also used a set up similar.

 

[RZucker]

Torsion on a tanker/live load was interesting, but it was common on tankers.

Torsion was even more fun on a hay truck.

 

[DMiller]

Swim a tad?

 

[DMiller]

Truckers in the Quarries preferred the old 38 and 42,000 lb. Hendrickson's. Local here still orders the Suspension, I do not know the model, has V mounted rubber block 'Springs' in the center masts, says ride well enough for Dump truck service.

 

[RZucker]

Were there still any Trailmobile or Fruehauf torsion rides when you got in the business TS? Only ever saw one, Fruehauf and was used for storage at quarry, older mechanic noted Trailmobile also used a set up similar.

I remember seeing a trailer (flat, I think) with torsion bars, don't remember the make.

 

[Hank R]

Were torsion bars very common back in the day ???

 

[RZucker]

Were torsion bars very common back in the day ???

They did seem to be fairly common on Kenworth trucks in the 60's and early 70's.

 

[petepilot]

They did seem to be fairly common on Kenworth trucks in the 60's and early 70's.

those things were kw`s own invention

 

[RZucker]

those things were kw`s own invention

Yep, other than a few trailers, torsion bars were KW's own domain.

 

[RZucker]

Swim a tad?

Seasick was a better description.

 

[DMiller]

GM used Torsion ride on the front of the old 60s 2 ton Vikings, did not last long, then the early 90s came back in the pickup line on the 4x4s. I believe the thought was weight factor as well a ride concern but in all eventuality they were maintenance heavy and a PITA to work on. After rebushing my own(took five days after work hours) took me almost a day to get ride height right adjusting the tension on the bars.

 

[Hank R]

 

[Old Doug]

GM used Torsion ride on the front of the old 60s 2 ton Vikings, did not last long, then the early 90s came back in the pickup line on the 4x4s.

They used then on pickups in the 1960-61. I was thinking i saw a GMC craker box with them? Its hard to belive that they didnt build a prototyp and drive it around for a while and say this isnt so hot.

 

[RZucker]

GM used Torsion ride on the front of the old 60s 2 ton Vikings, did not last long, then the early 90s came back in the pickup line on the 4x4s. I believe the thought was weight factor as well a ride concern but in all eventuality they were maintenance heavy and a PITA to work on. After rebushing my own(took five days after work hours) took me almost a day to get ride height right adjusting the tension on the bars.

I drove one of those old 60's GMCs fueling equipment for Dad after school, talk about the ball joint boogaloo if you had to drive it on the road. It finally got sold because no front end parts were available. Had one strong running old V-6 in it. I do remember the hydrovac brakes making you plan stops well in advance.
It ended up getting sold to another outfit and I actually got the job of putting the tank and pumps on a later Ford C series cabover with a 3208 Cat and an Allison 643, turned out really nice.

 

[Hank R]

 

[Truck Shop]

I like that Star in the upper photo! Here's another to go with it. That's when Stars were Stars.

 

[Wytruckwrench]

I have an ‘85 Star like that. I never have put my log riggin on it yet. If the log haulin market comes up again I will.

 

[Truck Shop]

A place I worked at years ago D & M towing had a 1978 Star with a NTA 420, 13sp and two spd Eatons on 48,000 lb Hendrickson extended leaf, with a Holmes 750 and a 301 Zacklift.
Here is a nice Star that was used in the movies.

 

[Hank R]

 

[Truck Shop]

And a PeterCar logger.