Well Seated
If driver retention is the name of the game, a comfortable truck seat can go a long way to alleviate bellyaches — and backaches.
Steve Mitchell
Copy Editor
Commercial truck seats today are designed to promote healthy spines and backs, decrease driver fatigue and increase driving comfort.
That's a far cry from the truck seat of a decade ago — an L-shaped piece of foam that only moved fore and aft, was about as comfortable as a park bench, and behaved pretty much like a jackknife.
Back then, air-ride suspension was the space between the driver's behind and the seat when he hit a bump.
Chief among the major complaints of truck drivers is back pain, and it's no wonder. Lower-back support is essential to avoid fatigue and injury. Sitting in one position for long periods increases stress on the spine and discs, creates muscle fatigue and promotes drowsiness. A good seat can help remedy much of that.
A respectable truck seat can also go a long way toward retaining your best drivers. And making your drivers comfortable — and in good back health — is not a bad thing.
Then there's the issue of durability. You can purchase an inexpensive seat, but you might be replacing it a couple of times a year. You'll probably also be replacing a few drivers.
Or you can invest in a top-of-the-line seat that actually provides comfort, safety and health to your drivers, and it might stay with the truck until you sell it.
The good news is, even today's basic truck seats offer features that were unheard of — or expensive options —just a decade ago.
Standard features on many seats today include self-leveling air suspension to reduce bottoming out, power adjustable seatback bolsters, conveniently located seat controls and even three-bag air lumbar support.
Options can include massage units, seat cushion heaters, automatic weight adjustment systems and an air-driven continuous spinal motion device.
Below are photos and features from nearly a dozen seat manufacturers.
We asked each to provide us with information on their top-of-the-line product — their best of the best.
Well Seated continued...
