Driver Lifestyles
Sitting Down On The Job
Driver fatigue is a subject frequently found in the news these days with the tired driver being the focus of numerous studies.
Ergonomics is a hot buzzword of today's business culture and what could be more ergonomically important to the professional driver in his working office than the chair in which he/she spends most on-duty hours?
An office chair is exactly what you have in your mobile office, only your truck seat has to cushion the shocks from the highway expansion joints, potholes (or in some cases, potholes), vibration and any other bumps in road you encounter.
A poor truck seat will render you tired long before a good seat will. Your ability to concentrate is at risk when, after hundreds of miles and many long hours of repositioning yourself, you're still uncomfortable. It can flat wear you out.
A good seat also keeps you alert by supporting your back and your legs properly, by helping to keep the blood flowing through your veins, and by making sure you stay firmly in place.
Many studies have shown that back problems are extremely common in the trucking industry. It's easy to understand that a tired back, tensed up after several hours of driving in an unsupportive seat, is not a back that will last long when it comes time to load or unload — or even to just climb down from the cab.
Until recently, the only adjustments available on truck seating were maybe fore/aft selection and a small amount of height adjustability. There was not much in the way of customizing a seat to suit your personal tastes or requirements. Thankfully, that's changed.
In today's truck market, there are a wide variety of seating options available complete with custom comfort adjustments which would have made the driver of ten or twenty years ago green with envy.
Areas to consider
The base
Possibly, a seat with a wider base will be more stable and achieve better weight distribution. Also a shroud covering the base will keep the under seat area cleaner and protect the mechanical parts.
Air ride
"The suspension is the key to comfort and performance of the seat," says Renee Johnson of Comfort Ride USA, manufacturer of aftermarket truck seats. "Quite often, the cushions and other features of the seat are given more attention when selecting the seat, but the suspension system is probably the major factor in how well that seat will perform."
Nancy Colby, Marketing and Systems Analysis of Seats Incorporated agrees, "Whether mechanical or air ride, the suspension system of the truck seat is the basis of how well the seat rides. In one of our company's new models for example, we utilize a wide parallelogram suspension which is about 5 inches wider than conventional seat suspensions. It also features dual shocks which reduce the side-to-side movement."
Accepted by most as the standard for truck seating, air ride should probably be chosen for the passenger seat as well, and definitely in a team operation. Also give thought to the types of controls available for fine-tuning the seat, optional self-contained air supply with compressor and automatic leveling system.
The seat back
Given a choice, most drivers will probably select a high back seat. Understandable, because the high back gives support to your back, shoulders and neck. On some seats, the headrest is a separately adjustable unit, on others, integrated.
Options would include an extra-width seat, reclining capability from a few degrees off vertical to all the way flat and bolsters on the sides of the seat back for body securement. The reclining feature is usually found in the aftermarket seats, and could be one to consider.
Lumbar support
This is a sore spot (ouch!) for many drivers when considering seat design. Lack of support for the lower back can not only result in many uncomfortable and even painful hours behind the wheel, but it can also be a major cause of fatigue.
The higher quality seats will offer, depending on model, sometimes three or more adjustable air bags in the seat back to supply that support for the lower back. Better seats will provide support for the middle and upper back as well as the lower region, by way of separate inflating air bags.
The cushions
Besides the seat back, this area of the truck seat is probably the most dependent upon personal preference. With everyone's body being unique, it's time well spent in selecting and trying out different seats and the cushioning they offer.
The upper-end seats available today offer adjustability for under-thigh and hip support with added adjustability at the front of the seat by changing the slope of the cushion and extensions. Some manufacturers are offering upwards of seven adjustable air bags throughout the seat's cushions, allowing for complete form fitting seats for all types of drivers.
Coverings
A wide range of selections in this area allow you to customize the seat to your preferences, ranging from the economical vinyl to the luxury car-style leather.
Vinyl is practical in that it's easy to clean, but will not offer the durability and longer life of the other coverings. This material is also the most temperature sensitive; we all know what a vinyl seat feels like in a cold truck in below freezing temperatures.
Vinyl with cloth inserts or all cloth seats offer a higher degree of comfort in regards to temperature changes. This is the OEM covering of choice for many mid to upper scale trucks. It could be a good compromise between the less expensive vinyl and top end leather upholstery.
Velour is another upholstery option offered by manufacturers. It's very plush, very thick, and available in a variety of shades and presents a very upscale look on a par with leather.
Nancy Colby of Seats Incorporated tell us about an option her company offers: "We call it 'Tufftex;' this fabric, which has a somewhat tweed-like appearance, is incredibly durable and long lasting."
Leather is regarded as the high-end covering and it does give that luxury car feel and look. Again, this material is temperature-sensitive and does require more maintenance and cleaning to maintain it's appearance, but it is a desired covering by many.
Selecting a truck seat
"We design our truck seats with everyone in mind, but seat choice is a very personalized decision," says Ron Mock, Director of Marketing for Sears Seating, a manufacturer of truck and commercial off-road vehicle seating.
"One factor which could possibly be overlooked is the driver's size; with many women involved in trucking today, the truck seat which a full grown man might find acceptable would not necessarily be a good choice for the smaller-framed female driver."
Renee Johnson of Comfort Ride USA adds: "It can be difficult to select a truck seat that will receive years of use by trying it out for a few minutes in a showroom or at a truck show. That's why Comfort Ride USA offers a trial program for our customers giving the driver enough time to make that important decision."
Other features and options to consider
*Fore/aft travel adjustability
*Height adjustability
*Vertical travel
*Fore/aft isolation
*Control type and placement
Other considerations
*Price shouldn't be the only factor in your purchase. The highest-price seat isn't always the best for what you need. Likewise, paying the least amount is likely to get you what you pay for.
*Find a seat that fits your body style. An average-sized person would look for a well-contoured seat that can hold them in place and reduce side-to-side sway.
*Seat adjustment is critical. The seat should be able to adjust to a buyer's body shape and sitting style.
*Don't be afraid to look at a seat with lots of options. There are reasons for multiple adjustments. Every body is different; not every individual sits the same way, for the same amount of time, drives on the same roads in the same type of truck.
*Just because a truck seat looks like your recliner back home doesn't mean it's going to be comfortable in your cab. A thick, soft cushion is not always better than a thinner, more dense cushion. Thickness, hardness and density are key. A lack of density in foam can cause a flattening out and a loss of support.
There's no reason for the professional driver to work in an environment that's any less comfortable than the average office worker.
Perhaps with the safety issues of alertness and comfort being involved, it's even more important that the driver have the best tools at his/her disposal, and the driver's "office chair" fits that bill.
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