E&MU: To Retain Drivers, Grab Them By the Seat of the Pants

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wner-operator Bruce Settles drove to Louisville, Ky., in late March to visit North America’s largest truck show. He brought with him ideas for improving truck seats.

Settles, who drives about 82,000 miles a year, said he had to replace the seat cushion in his truck three times a year because it would not hold up. “I do it myself. I buy the replacement foam cushion and the cover.”

A worn-out cushion “causes your tailbone to pound, which causes back pain, which causes all kinds of other things,” he said.

Although the seemingly humble truck seat is a thoroughly tested device that must be able to withstand 20 times the force of gravity and can be outfitted with some very sophisticated ergonomic features, it still leaves some drivers wanting more.

For the full story, see the May/June issue of Equipment & Maintenance Update, a supplement to the May 23 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.