Why My Peterbilt Truck Seat is Low
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- Опубліковано 30 лис 2016
- Many of your have inquired as to why Dave's seat is so low in the Peterbilt.
And no, it's not to look cool! (That's just an added bonus!)
Many years ago, a back injury drove him to look for ways to increase his comfort level when behind the wheel.
The low seat base helps take the pressure off his spine which is critical, especially when sitting for extended periods of time when driving.
If you suffer from back pain, try lowering your seat if you're able, just a little. It might help with your pain.
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I chuckle every time I see one of those Pete drivers with the stick higher than their head. They remind me of Moses holding a staff, getting ready to part the Red Sea. LoL
D35611 lol
Get behind a bull hauler runnin 80+ and you'll feel like you're driving through the parted sea... lol
They probably figure splitting gears has about the same effect as parting the Red Sea. HA!
I don't have back problems, but as a new driver I noticed my tailbone started to hurt really bad a few hours in almost every day. I thought of this video one day, slid my seat down while I was on the interstate, and the pain disappeared in seconds. Very helpful, hope to see more videos from you.
Dimeinurear - also don't set the seat on the rigid setting. But on the setting that allows the seat to rock back and forth it helps absorb the shocks and bumps on rough roads. I also tilt the seat bottom lower at the seat back and higher at the knees so the seat bottom is tilted back instead of forward I like to feel like I'm firmly planted in the seat.
My Doctor always said to sit lower in the seat to relieve the pressure on the back of the thighs. Sitting lower improves blood flow and lowers the chance of blood clots in the calfs. He also recommended to always get out and walk @ the truck a few times every time you stop to improve blood flow in your legs.
Truck drivers are some of the best on the road, thanks for taking time to learn a skill, much appreciated.
its the first trick i learned from the old timers, and man let me tell you they were right. It is sooo much more comfortable to sit low like that for extended periods of time.
Makes PERFECT sense! I had a bad back injury that took me out of trucking in 2006, so I know all too well about back pain.
Take care of your back!
Sitting lower does help but having some air is the key. The shock to your back being a floor sitter with no air is compared to jumping off a 3to4 foot step all day long wich will destroy your lower vertebrae and sciatic nerve. Especially the right sciatic nerve. You can still sit low in a low pro seat and have air to reduce the shock compared to stepping off a 1 foot step all day. Once your driving career is reduced to not being a moronic speeder and a know it all, usually after the first 3 years, then you realize that comfort means everything. Looking cool comes with a price to pay wether its to a chiropractor or chrome shop mafia.
The bouncing of an aired up seat always hurt my back. That's why I rode low.
Man I been watching your videos for years. You’re a genius, thanks for your insight and expertise! Brilliant:)
i sit low because i prefer how it feels to press the pedals but i also think it looks cool to sit low. never knew it was better for you
I used to bottom the seat out when backing into the dock or at truck stop stalls. It made me feel more in tune with the movement of the truck and trailer.
I always learn good stuff from your videos. Thanks for making them brief and to the point.
Thank you! Dave
I suffer from lower back pain as well the reason I ride all the way down is I hate bouncing but your are right driver helps take pressure off stay safe drivers
good advice . also good for circulation for the long haul. I drove lower 48 for years & liked the seat low, but now drive heavy haul, dump trucks usually off road at construction sites & have to keep the seat high due to hitting major holes, uneven areas to prevent the seat from bottoming out & actually hurting my back.
You're videos and advise are always very helpful. Thank you sir. God bless you and you're family.👍👍👍🙏🙏🙏
I find it helpful to move the seat up or down occasionally so I don't get cramps
I started driving in a Freightliner FLD flat top. I was at that magic weight and height combo that if I fired up the seat and hit rough road, I hit my head. If I let enough air out not to hit my head, the seat bottomed out and Jarred my back. So I put in all the way down. Been riding that way for 22 years.
Throw on some fingerless gloves and turn your ballcap around backwards...and you my friend are now a "Super Trucker"!
Damn! No gloves, that's what I'm doing wrong! Dave
I agree. As the seat cycles up and down and occilates back and forth it is uncomfortable to have your legs hanging in the air or bouncing off the floor. I keep the seat low in the city as well so that my feet are on the pedals correctly.
Ridin low in that air-ride seat of my twin stack Pete tappin my feet to that asphalt beat. Keep it between the mayonnaise and the mustard and stay out of the lettuce and keep the shiny side up
I was once told it makes scanning your mirrors easier since you don't have to turn your head as far to see both mirrors. Taught that at Northwestern transportation training
I do the same thing!! Fortunately I have never had a back injury other than straining or pulling a muscle in my back!!
I do the same with the Western Star I drive not sure if its a cheap seat but I've found its best if its set low, I was getting back pain before I set it low, no more back pain now.
Keep up the good work!
I'm 6'3" and even in my Ford Fusion, I keep the seat bottomed out. I've had four back surgeries and it definitely helps ease the strain on the back if my knees are elevated a little.
I agree . I also hate trying to battle the seat getting get in and out when there is air in the seat
After my diagnosis with a herniated disc both my doctor and physical therapist told me to sit higher and tilt the seat as much forward as possible with the back rest at either vertical or slightly tilted back so I would be almost standing in the seat, started doing that after the six weeks of sick leave spent in pain and suffering and I've never felt better after driving long distances, so I'll be sacrificing my coolness for the sake of my back for a long time to come.
Hey, whatever works for you. It's all about being comfortable to make the long miles go by quickly. Dave
I'm the opposite, Dave. I've got a memory foam, u-notched seat pad on top of the OEM seat, & have it jacked to the rafters. History of back injuries here, too. Bottoming over a bump is the absolute last thing I wanna do. Kepps me comfy all day n night. Injust lower it when I'm in yards, n need the mirrors more.
I agree. 32 with A pinched spinal cord. I find it more comfortable riding lower. Plus I short so it makes it easier to reach the pedals.
I sit sorta of the same way, except i like to have my legs horizontal with the floor, and my feet flat on the floor as well. Just a lot more comfortable, In a pete you have more room, its all about driver comfort. I test drove a mack for a company a few weeks ago and there was no way i was going to be able to sit comfortably in that truck. Based on that, i did not take the job. Its my lively hood, i have to enjoy driving the truck i want to drive, and be comfortable doing it.
Absolutely. I was told this a while back. I was driving a 9400i... I didn’t believe it. So, I thought what the heck. I did it for a week and holy moly. It was a unbelievable. It worked. Now my seat is low also. Way better
There is a streach all sitters should do to help keep a straight spine and less tension on lower back .
I noticed its the new guys and seat warmers who drive in the nose bleed section (seat all the way up)
Love your video's keep up the good stuff i love the parity on Dispatchers great peace lol
Ive been in a kenworth w9 with seat bagged directly to floor for low look with air bag comfort and i tried and tbh is was most comfortable setup ive ever sat in.
I do the exact opposite but I throw a pillow on small of my back and push myself slightly up with my feet or with my knee off the dash and I do it especially over bumps. I transfer the shock of the road to my legs instead of my lower spine. Ever since adopting this strategy I have a lot less regular lower back pain. Works well in freightliner.
I always sat fairly high because I started driving truck before there was such a thing as air ride seats. The old Bostrom torsion bar seats could go a bit lower but nothing like an air seat. Since I'm pretty tall I need the seat up high to keep my knees from hitting the dash. Even up high my right knee was so close to the wiper switch that when I hit a bump my knee would turn off the wipers. I guess that's the disadvantage of a forty inch inseam.
Big Dave Air ride is for back breaker trucks. There is no need for air ride seats in a car at all.
Always thought it was cool to sit low, but I'm a short dude so it just comes naturally to me lol!
FWIW . Retired now .But, i sat low for over 3 million miles . Ride & glide .!! good vid imo
I'm 5'3' been behind the wheel for 34 years now. Always have the seat on the floor, beats that 2" drop onto the stops every time I hit a bump.
When I drove I used to let almost all the air out and left just enough air for the seat to absorb those little vibrations. But if I hit a big bump or a dip in the road it would slam down and bottom out. Man it hurt but still I found it more comfortable riding as low as I could. Sometimes I would let all the air out If the road was nice and smooth. The Volvos I drove were really comfortable. They have the best cab suspension in my opinion. In those Volvos I would often drive with no air in the seats....tankx Dave
Wow, that's interesting... I will try that!!!
Back in my truck driving days I would sit as low as the seat would allow me without bottoming out the seat. It made for a smoother ride. If I was riding down the road and the seat bottomed out I would add just enough air to stop it from bottoming out. I liked to have the seat have some smooth shock action to it. I have gotten into trucks before after some little fellow and find the seat maxed out with air pressure. They like to ride sitting on a rock as high as it will go.
I ride like you, just enough air in the seat to keep it from bottoming out. Don't know why some guys like to be so high up in the air. Dave
Smart-Trucking.com their sitting on a corn cob
I know some heavier drivers that like the seat low for their backs, but bottom out pretty easy. One of the would put the seat low, the chain it into place and add enough air to keep from bottoming out.
Great tip sir!
Thanks! Dave
i'm the same way sir,,, very good video
Crap! I never thought of that. Might have saved my back. I remember doing it for sometime, quit... don't know why. 7 yrs. outta driving & I'm still learning. Might be too late, but I'm gonna forward this that's for sure. (You stop learning, growing....hop into the dirt for the long long long nap!)
Good idea
I've experimented with seat height, myself. I, too, have found more comfort when I air the seat out. I much prefer to have my legs extended in front of me, as opposed to hanging off the edge of the seat with my feet bouncing on the floor.
Do you look through the steering wheel like granny going to church on Sunday?
I am a tall guy I always rode with the seat up I also used the lumbar support when I first started OTR I did not use the lumbar at first and my back was sore I aired it up and my back soreness went away overnight.
I agree with what you are saying.. I'll add my two cents (yes I'm old). My chair was on the floor for another reason as well as yours.. "more blood circulation to my legs".. Cuts down on drivers fatigue.
Absolutely right! Dave
I'm retired for about 5 years now. I've been to the left coast & the right coast. I've been north of the northern boarder & south of the southern boarder.And every state in between. I was in Alaska before it was a state with my Dad. I'm 3rd generation trucker & I have 2 boys that are the 4th.
The blood is now circulating to places that have been deprived blood for years. BOY OH BOY does it hurt now.. But it feels good to stay on the porch, walk in a circle & lick myself with all the "OLD DOGS". I made it & I hope all do as well.. "The Breeze"..
Alright, I learned to keep the seat low so you can keep your arms extended and your wrists straight to avoid carpal tunnel. It also benefits the angle of your back. Down low and back. 46 years in the seat just retired. Too many surgeries to detail. Healthy now, complete in frame overhaul.
Good deal, enjoy retirement, after 46 years, you've earned it! Dave
I hope u continue tha videos i was curious are u still driving or did u retire ?
I don't do it because it's cool, but I ride with a stock seat all the way down, and a few pumps of air in because, well i am 5'9" tall lol. and i drive a day cab 379, so I also pull the seat forward until I get at least fingers width between the back of the seat and rear window! important to learn that now than like me and hear the pop lol
Most of the guys where I work do the same thing. I seem to be the odd duck that doesn't like to sit on the floor. Usually my seats just about as high as it'll go period feels more comfortable, and definitely gives a better View.
I often have my seat low because of my lower back, but now my knees are giving me trouble so I ride a bit higher these days.
I always sits high. Had a big 20inch steering wheel in truck and the shifter were right near.i always rest my hand on shifter
I sit lower because I found that the higher you set the seat, the more air pressure there is and there isn't any "give" in the seat and the ride feels harsher. But it is a factory freightliner seat after all...
I'm 6'2, It kinda helps. But, my calves tend to hurt a lot when I sit low. I'm an old field trucker, so 3rd of the time I'm going 15mph.
I am most comfortable just a little up just enough for back purpose
Nice looking leather seat.
Im a local delivery driver driving a Mack daycab. I typically have the seat high up when delivering to my stores but when I finish and am heading back to the warehouse I lower the seat all the way down lol. Idk its comfortable
I rode flat w/no air in the seat. If the seat is aired up and you hit a hard bump it will slam your seat hard against the floor. The rocking of the truck combined with the up and down of the seat with air was too many different motions at once IMHO. To each his own!
I sit low not because it looks cool but it’s a much better ride as you say. Better for the back and your not bouncing around hurting your gut
All my years I ran my seat with no air at all. Back in the cab over days I used to look between the dash and top of the steering wheel. All a guy needed was a 5 foot long shifter that you could hardly even reach lol now that was cool haha!
Cool in the stool, I go about half way but it makes sense
I tell you what,drive through Louisiana a couple of times with that seat in a low position and it feel like ELTON JOHN got a hole of ya
A KNIGHT sounds like Elton John got ahold of you
I know this is a year old, but I have and never bothered me hardly felt the road. The reason I low my seat is because of to much bounce between air ride suspension cab and seat.
Lol 😂
I 26yo from Australia have been driving seat down since I started driving 3years ago some drivers picked on me abit for it thinking It was try hard other older drivers told me that's how they sit and they love to low. my farther always sat low in the seat for the same reasons as you just explained another older driver (drives roadtrains) told me he sat low because he felt it gave him another connection to the truck apart from steering feel to feel what the trailers x4 and truck were doing
I had to set low and no air in the seat, I am 6'8 and all the years has ruined my back, but I had to do this cause I couldn't see out the window with.the seat jacked up like alot drive them today!
I drive locally and need my head in the clouds lol
looks cool.
Same here.
I’m in trucking school now, I had my seat high up and my instructor said, you look like a rookie, drivers like that I go around or stay away from!! 😂😂😂😂
I put the seat as low as it goes in any truck, it helps keep my legs from swelling up. Having the seat lower than your knees keeps your legs from hanging over the edge.
Now if you want to be real cool.... big ol extension on the shifter with a skull for the knob
Cool? nope, Looks stupid, not to mention xtra stress on the shifting fork, and no, it does matter how good a shifter you are,
Jess Harden and don't forget the big ole fuzzy dice.
You are right I drove a spotter truck for 2 years (they usually have no rear suspension and bounce like hell) I sat low mostly cause of I'm short and I also hate bouncing around on a air seat its unstable and makes it hard to control the truck perfectly IMO and also it made my back not hurt as much even in a regular cab it feels better than bouncing around up and down forwards and backwards. How you gonna turn the wheel with your feet off the floor of the truck lol.
Id have it low just because i want one of those drop visors that come down to the windshield wipers 😂.
More comfortable though
Yeah, I want one of those too! Can't decide though between painted or stainless.
i find it as a man 6 foot four to do this rather then sitting up not only for bad back but also i can move my legs so they dont give me any issues while driving non stop 600 miles except my 30 mins to stretch love the videos
Thanks Scott! Dave
I drive a pete 377 daycab fucker rides so rough i sit on the floor to avoid bashing my head on the roof when i hit a bad bump😂 but i have noticed it is alot more comfortable.
I put a national seat in my '01 Freightliner and that is where I sit, on the floor. I'm 6'4" and can see out the center of the windshield, no problem.
I was told buy a old teamster good for blood clots
Heard that too! Dave
I liked to put my seat all the way down because I hate how much it bounced having an ‘87 Pete without air bags for the cab. I hit my head the the roof one time
BOSE has a vibration cancelling seat- see vids on utube- even gets guys on comp back into their seat again
I always ran the seat all the way down because I would drive in fields. If I had the seat aired up, it would bottom out when I hit bumps, and if I aired it up to where it wouldn't bottom out, then my head would hit the ceiling. It didn't matter how slow or fast I was going either
You might want to check out getting "Bose ride" seat. They say that the seat reduces the vibrations felt by the driver by 90%. I've never tried one myself but I'm planning on getting one installed as soon as I get the money. Last I heard they run about $4000 installed. I guess they've found out a way of translating the noise cancelling technology in their headphones to truck seats that do the same.
Yeah, I read an article on those. I'd love to try one out. The reviews from guys that had them were that once you had one you'd never have anything else. Expensive but worth every penny the stated. Dave
If they are really that good its a shame my insurance wont spring for it. Thats less than a MRI and injections but they dont see it that way.Although I might still look into one.
Their radios are THE best!
I have back issues too, but if I drop the seat low enough to elevate my legs my legs don't fit between me and the pedals
To finish the look you need to pull your ball cap down low and ease along...
Nothing to see here, folks... but the top of this hat driving this truck.
PETERBILITIN'
don't worry dave all them ones on here who put comments about how you can't see are it's dangerous and all that dumb stuff can't drive no true unit like that long nose brother they use to them swift volvo junk are them garbage freight shakers. ain't our fault they jealous lol.if they a new driver my hats off to them yall learn bit if you only drove 6 months and think you know everything it's very easy to tell. just look at the fairings on the back of any company trucks sleeper it'll tell all to well lol. roll on dude be kool on ya stool from down south of the boot driva
When I Drove Semi I Always Rode Low...
I don't know Dave, I'm sure it works for the long liners, but hurts like hell for us dirt demons
Now you need a custom made right angle pistol grip shifter. The hammer can be your selector and the safety can be your splitter. Of course the trigger would have to be a 6 trumpet 120 dB air horn. And some L.E.D. undercarriage lighting.
I sit up high all the time and I don’t have any problems I want to see the road and traffic yes I have had back problems in the past
I ride with my seat all the way down I can barely see over the dash but that's the way I like it
Ok, I guess I should have waited to watch this video before asking on the last video.
I sit low because I’m 5’6” and I can’t get my clutch brake to engage any higher. In high traffic, I’ll pump up the seat, put her in low and creep. Sure people get upset, but that’s better than squishing them.
I use a litter lower..
I drive a bus like that, with all the air out of the seat, and the seat lowered to the floor, its comfortable.
one of my biggest bitches about trucks is the lousy seats. truck builders seem to think all drivers are 6 feet tall . National seats are the worst. I'm average height 5'9 and even with no air they're too high. myself it's not a matter cool but flat out comfort. l don't want to sit on the floor, just high enough so I can reach the pedals without my legs Goin to sleep. Gramag has a really good seat,self leveling, adjustable damping,tilt and the cushion slides forward and back and if you like you can dump the air with a push of a button. ISRI hausen is another but expensive. Had a Lonestar that came with those seats..they were awsome. same features as Gramag. I drive log truck in BC , I hated the seat so bad I eventually had to buy my own (gramag), no I dont own the truck. the day cab restricts some of the features but it's such an improvement. It's not hard to imagine that when someone or company orders a truck , the seats are completely overlooked.Its the last thing they consider when it should be the first.
Yep, that's really true, the seat is very important. Never tried a Gramag seat, tried more than a few and settled on the bostrom wide ride 2 which I really like. There's a high tech seat out right now and I think it's made by bose. Supposed to be amazing but big big bucks, I think I read like 6 grand, but guys that had them said they were worth every penny of it. Dave
Smart-Trucking.com they're not cheap, $1800 and I crossed the border to save some shipping. kenworth 880 and Peterbilt come standard with them..next time at the dealer check them out.
I like the low seating position I can't take it when I'm high in the air I'm 190cm
Hello Smart-Trucking.com
My back tells me that when I spend long hrs. in the driver's seat to have my knees at/or lower than my hips. My back started to hurt just watching you sit like that with your knees pulled up to your chest.
Man, that's like sitting in a Lazyboy to me! Dave