Long Hood Peterbilt 359/379/389 and Kenworth W900

I didn't get much seat time in my standard hood W900A before I tore it down. In comparison to my dad's T800 tri-drives, I felt that even with the longer wheelbase and 3rd drive axle, the T800 was a bit easier to get in and around tight spots. I think the sloped hood helped because it was easier to judge how close you were to objects in front of you.

 

Actually the reality of the W9 vs T8 is the setback steer axle--which gives the illusion of cutting sooner(or tighter)because it is behind the end of the hood.....and the sloped hood can give you a better(clearer)sightline---but Im bettin if you set both up identically..wb etc--and just spun them around in a circle (bobtail)in an mt lot---you'll probably find the actual turning radius' fairly close

 

The specs are different for long hoods because they are normally owner operator but they are also spec'd heavier than your average fleet truck. Things like 40k rears or better instead of 36k. Higher HP and Torque also adds weight and not only with the motor but the driveline is also heavier to handle the bigger motor. And since the trucks are normally longer, the frame is thicker.

My daycab w900 with 46k rears, drop axle, cat motor with an 18 speed including all the chains, boxes and headache rack weighs in at 24k pounds.

 

We have a couple of w900's that if you give me a pup trailer and a 40 acre field, I would only have to back up once to turn around. I believe that the position of the steering box is what affects the turning on the W900.

 

I weighed my 07 with isx 475 260 inch wb 72 aerocab and flatbed combo with half tanks of fuel and came out to be 30220 total weight

 

Im sure its wheel base and motor have a huge thing to do with weight along with the big sleepers some of you guys have, comfort isn't light. The truck I drove compared to mine I'm sure the weight gain was in the motor compared to the light weight one in my truck compared to a C-15, then add in another 30" of frame and I'm sure heavier axles under it.

Im guessing a lot of you guys don't get paid by the weight of the load then, like by the ton or bushel like I do where a light truck makes me more money.

 

All I know is by the ton, bushel or CWT (hundred weight). The big reason I'm a Pete fan. They are lighter than a W9 or a Star Car. One of mine is a 270 other is a 265. Both are 3406 B with 63 in bunks. With my small timpte 42x78x96 they hit the scale at 27500 ready to ride. Hadn't seen a feed mill or farm yet I couldn't put one where it needed to be. Including the pellet scale at Southern Cotton in Memphis down on Chelsea

 

You have a really nice looking truck. I bet a little shorter and a day cab you would drop down pretty close to 26000 empty weight. I could probably live with that since I don't need a bunk. If I could just afford the nicer truck now. It would be nice if people made more parts for a C-13 to save some weight and still have 600+ but it doesn't seem there are to many options out there unless its a C-15 or 3406 and those are 1000lbs heavier. I did enjoy driving the 379X that I got a chance to drive though, I am a big fan of how the W9's look though and would like to run one one day, but have heard they don't turn as short as a 379 due to the steering box.

 

Thanks for the complinent but I gotta have a place to sleep. You know what they say bout me I was born tired and live to sleep lol. Honestly we still do quite a bit of regional stuff. I did see a 84 359 with a cummins, daycab and a 66 in side timpte hit the scale in Deerfield Mo weigh in at 25500 which I thought was pretty impressive