Ryder offering trucks that are more ‘female friendly’

Ryder System, Inc. announced that it will offer what it calls a “female-friendly” vehicle package for lease – the first of its kind in the industry.

With the help of various OEMs and Women in Trucking Association (WIT), Ryder is making available a custom vehicle design, including 15 unique specifications, the company says better meets the needs of female drivers. These same ergonomic specifications will also provide a benefit for many male drivers in the industry, according to Ryder.

Ellen Voie, president and CEO of Women In Trucking, and Steve Schmotzer, Region Fleet Manager for PACCAR

The vehicles include features such as adjusted height and placement of cab grab handles, adjustable seatbelt shoulder straps, improved placement of dash cluster gauges, and better access to oil and coolant checks and fill ports. Upon customer request, and depending upon the OEM model of vehicle, Ryder can also include the following options:

  • ergonomically designed seats and adjustable armrest;
  • hood lift/closure assistance mechanism;
  • automated transmissions;
  • fifth wheel configurations with lower pull pressures to open the locking mechanism;
  • automated fifth wheel locking mechanisms;
  • automatic landing gear operators for trailers; and
  • a cab security system that offers personal protection while a driver is in his/her sleeper berth.

Ryder also said it is committed to identifying truck design gaps and influencing improvements in future vehicle designs that make driving a more attractive career option for women. For example, the company is encouraging OEMs to make adjustable foot pedal height a standard feature in future truck models. This is one item identified by female truck drivers as an important need according to a recent survey conducted by WIT.