What's so special about Peterbilts?

[TruckerChris]

So I'm now driving local we have new(ish) Pete 377's. Everyone talks about how nice a Pete rides compared to others and how nice they are laid out on the inside. For example: Guages, Switches, lights, etc.

I can't stand how I can reach across and touch the passenger side door or how "old" the dash looks or how the steering wheel feels (it's the newer pete wheel). Does everyone like petes because it's a following like when everyone thinks of a Motorcycle, they think of Harleys? So when you think of a truck, you think of Petes? I don't know, I like my Columbia seating, dash, "feel" , and looks way better

Please explain...

Chris

Same here when I went from a 379 to my Century class I thought I had died and went to heaven. In my 379 I had no room in the cab even with the seat all the way back the bunk had no storage at all it seemed and it roade like a bucking bronco. My Century rode like a Caddy had more room than I knew what to do with and also I was not cramped in the seat that we all spend 10 hours a day in.

[Rev.Vassago]

A truck is only as good as the person who speced it, no matter what the brand name. Skimp on the spec sheet, and you'll get a lousy ride.

[Fozzy]

I've never been a fan of Peterbilts. I'll take almost any other truck in one's place! Except the "R" model Mack of course... :shock:

[Roadhog]

Same can be said of a model in any make....and there are many to choose from, so it all depends on personal choice.

I am driving a Pete 387, and there are a lot of things I don't like about it. I preferred the 379 over this...but the 379, also had things I didn't like.

The new 389 is much nicer, and has a better layout and more storage. I would love driving the new 389.

I wouldn't trade this Pete 387 for any Freightliner. ....and yes I've driven many of them...so I am qualified to respond like that. I like the Classic XL...and outside of that...only other truck I like is the KW W-900. But right now my dream truck would be the new Pete 389...and the older 379 falls somewhere behind the KW.

Anyway...those narrow cab...low profile rigs are much nicer handling in my opinion. They hug the corners nicer, and feel more solid. You do sacrifice some smoothness in the ride...but I have a cast iron butt...so I am not bothered. I like how they respond in backup traffic too. My 387 rocks like a cradle...and every shift tosses you about. Sure...it is smoother on the big road...but kills you otherwise.
Wanna talk about driving out west...where you always find serious cross winds....? :?....give me a road-hugger any day!

But Kona...I agree with you. For local runs...I'd rather have a nimble little Columbia too. It's dogass ugly though. Don't bother washing it...nothing will help that much ugly. :P

[shyykatt]

Theyre big n' bad n' pretty

[Mackman]

I've never been a fan of Peterbilts. I'll take almost any other truck in one's place! Except the "R" model Mack of course... :shock:

aint nothing bad about a R model. the rubber duck had one lol

[Fozzy]

Yeah but the rubber duck must have been a midget!

[floored]

cult following or something.. and hey, "class pays"

:wink:


Personally I like em because they look good (as does the freightliner coronado).

Theyre big n' bad n' pretty

So is a FL Classic, the only difference is Petes hold their value. That's what Pete owners love to throw in others faces but what they don't tell you is the price difference in brand new, comparably spec'ed trucks.

[Jumbo]

Theyre big n' bad n' pretty

So is a FL Classic, the only difference is Petes hold their value. That's what Pete owners love to throw in others faces but what they don't tell you is the price difference in brand new, comparably spec'ed trucks.

I went on truckpaper. com and compared:

New 07 Pete 379 Ex hood
475 Cat, 13 spd.,3.36 rears, 265" w.b., 70" sleeper, 22.5lp with all alum. wheels. $125350

New 07 Freightliner Classic XL
475 Cat, 13 spd., 3.58 rears, 260" w.b. 70" condo sleeper, 22.5 lp with all alum. wheels. $120,500

I then searched 06 used trucks with comparable miles:

06 Pete Ex hood
475 Cat, 13 spd., 3.36 rears, 270 w.b. 70" sleeper 24.5 lp with all alum. wheels with 190,000 miles. Price $125,000

06 Freightliner Classic XL
475 Cat, 13 spd. 3.58 rears, 260" w.b., 70" sleeper 22.5 lp with all alum. wheels with 166,450 miles. Price $79,900

I tried to keeps specs as close as possible and not use special editions for either comparison. It is interesting though.

[Jackrabbit379]

I've always liked Petes. Ever since I can remember, I always loved seeing those cow trucks, long Petes with all those lights.

I loved the 359s, too. Especially, the flat tops. Corvette dash, wood grain dash, chrome guages, and chrome toggle switches. The only bad thing about them, was the air duct system. Two swivel air vents on top of the dash. :P You could reach to the right, unlock the passenger door. These 9200i Internationals that I drive every night, you have to walk a mile to reach the passenger door. :?

About a quarter mile down the road from our yard is an oil equipment company. They go out, and work in oil fields. They have 2 needle nose Petes. Both of them are sharp as a tack. I dont know what year model they are, but they have the butterfly hoods, and they put straights on both. You can hear every cylinder firing in those old kitty cats. :P

Nothing purtyier than a Peter with a drop down visor, Texas bumber, straights, round headlights, and more lights than you can shake a stick at. :P

[allan5oh]

You can get new columbias for ~85k

[marcel27208]

does anyone here drive a kworth w900, i keep hearing that the fuel mileage is horrible?? im looking to buy new truck as we speak, any info would help, thanks!!!

[Mack2]

does anyone here drive a kworth w900, i keep hearing that the fuel mileage is horrible?? im looking to buy new truck as we speak, any info would help, thanks!!!

There is guy around here that has Kw W900s pulling dump trailer and his trucks get about 5.5 to 6mpg.

[serbie]

does anyone here drive a kworth w900, i keep hearing that the fuel mileage is horrible?? im looking to buy new truck as we speak, any info would help, thanks!!!

There is guy around here that has Kw W900s pulling dump trailer and his trucks get about 5.5 to 6mpg.

Not sure about his operation but would be willing to bet he runs more local-semi local runs. That and his gross weight is usually alot more then an OTR gig. Lots of stop and go, heavier weight.

Would be better to compare that truck to a gig that resembles what you'll be using it for.

[mike3fan]

does anyone here drive a kworth w900, i keep hearing that the fuel mileage is horrible?? im looking to buy new truck as we speak, any info would help, thanks!!!

I just traded in a W9 w/DD60 and 370 rears and I got around 6.4 on average,on my Pete with a C15 475 and 336 rears i get around 5.9

[Roadhog]

Body style may play a role.
A T-600 will provide less wind drag.

Here are some other factors to add into the equation. What you haul...how much weight, and where. Do you run a lot of mountains?...any routes with steep grades? Do you run a lot of City traffic...or rural routes with stop and go?
Do you keep your tractor and Trailer well greased and maintained? Proper tire pressure all around? Clean air filters? Are you tuned and calibrated (CPU chip) for maximum fuel economy? Are your road gears the proper combination for the loads you generally haul? What kind of driver are you? Do you feel you must race to your destination? Do you start out letting the trans do the work...or are you powering up like there is no tomorrow? Do you do a lot of needless idling? Do you close the space between the Tractor and the Trailer whenever you can...or too lazy for that?

Just a few points to consider if you need more fuel economy. Helps with any model you drive.

There are other factors...I am not hitting on...like choice of motor. I hear the Volvo motor gets better economy...etc.

[Part Time Dweller]

Same here when I went from a 379 to my Century class I thought I had died and went to heaven.

People who live in a trailer park get the same feeling when they move up to a double wide, but eventually they realize they are still living in trailer.

I drove mostly Petes over the years, plenty of room for how I ran, Mon-Fri, overnighting twice a week. I suppose if one lives in the truck for weeks at a time and brings enough crap to fill a studio apartment the extra room would be nice.

[GMAN]

does anyone here drive a kworth w900, i keep hearing that the fuel mileage is horrible?? im looking to buy new truck as we speak, any info would help, thanks!!!

Most owners I talk with do good to get 5 mpg. I looked at a 2005 W900 with a 86" studio, 18 spd., C-15. I don't recall the gears. The guy said it got 4.5 to 5 mpg. :shock: