Design of a Medium and Heavy-Duty Truck Cab Shell

This paper describes some basic aspects of designing a medium and heavy-duty truck cab shell. Since the North American market has been dominated for the last several years by conventional, cab-behind-engine trucks and tractors, only cab shells for this type of vehicle will be discussed. The challenges in designing a medium and heavy-duty truck cab are different from those for a car or light truck body. This paper will highlight some of the differences and describe in detail part of the unique design criteria of truck cabs. Unless otherwise stated, the further use of the word truck will only refer to medium and heavy-duty vehicles.