To Pete or not to Pete,,that is the question.

neither... they are both cosmetic... especially those 'Taylor Wings'...

I know some guys swear they get better MPG with those things but look at it this way... an aero engineer will spend hundreds of hours and untold $$$ just trying to tweak a particular design to get a tiny improvement in drag numbers. Then some outfit makes claims that this big, shiny hunk of aluminum will give you better fuel mileage regardless of if you put it on a Pete, KW, Volvo or barn door? I ain't buying it... never did and never will.

Pure waste of $$$...

 

A
The shiny Chicken Wing can get you better mpgs ONLY IF the angle is set perfectly...if its set wrong it can cost you in fuel. Given my druthers for chasing fuel economy id just use the factory cabtop bubble.

I've had mine for almost 6 years and get mid 6s or so under good conditions, fast idling in the winter with blended fuel cold as hell and fighting winds going to Edmonton every week I've been as low as the low 4s loaded.

Empty, earlier this year I got 8.37, 310 miles on 37 gallons WITH 12 hrs idling and the next tank was 8.55 308 miles 36 gals through the mountains between Billings and Rapid City with no idling. This was about 58 mph empty pulling and empty double drop with an A frame glass rack on it.

I have an 02 Cat with Walker free flow mufflers and a Borg Warner non waste gated turbo, 18 spd w 3.55s.

Driven correctly under good conditions a 379 will get good mpgs, but if you fight weather and blended fuel it won't.

BTW... they just make all the lesser trucks to keep the "undesirables" out of Peterbilts. :laff:

 

I owned a W900L and a 379 EXHD at the same time. Both were 03's. I have since sold the KW and wouldn't have another one now that I have experienced the superiority of the Pete. I think the quality of construction are equal. However, the Pete is a more stable ride. It holds a line much better than my KW did. My Pete got better fuel milage which I attributed to a poor KW muffler design. The Pete low air suspension is a much smoother ride than the AG380 I had on the KW. When in windy conditions you dont feel it nearly as much in the 379. I appreciate the fact that the motor/ transmission sits alittle more forward in the Pete so that when going to the sleeper I don't have to step over the shifter. Also, the Pete cab is a little wider making it a little easier when leaning out at the toll booths. For me, Pete hoods only.

 

Not so sure about that blackw900! Drivetrains are basicly the same.
I like the KW's interior if your into button tuck.
But dont like the kw one piece hood. Easy to drill rivets outta petes and replace!
Never actually owned a KW but have thought about just for thier 86" studio sleepers were as the biggest petes are 70"....
Never like seeing the bottom back of KW fender shake going down the road..

 

When I bought my truck it had one of those shorter whale tails on it. Ran it up there for four years until it started to leak where it was bolted down. I didn't think it really did anything to help fuel mileage, so I pulled it off, filled the holes and repainted the top of the sleeper. On an overall average I GAINED 2/10 by removing the stupid thing. They are just another form of snake oil.

 

There is a plastic wear bar that can adjusted to keep the fenders from doing that.

 

Bingo!!!!!!

 

I owned an 03 379EXHD and an 03 W900L. I thought they were equal in construction quality. However, I have since sold the kw and wont buy another one. The pete low air suspension provides a much better ride over the AG380. The pete is a much more stable ride. It holds a line better and windy conditions affect the pete a lot less. The pete has a tighter turning radius. Its motor/trans. sits more forward on the frame meaning I dont have to step over the shifter to go to the sleeper. The cab is a little wider making a little easier when leaning out at the toll booth. The pete gets better fuel mileage because I think the kw muffler design is poor. I am hoping to find a good used tractor to add on but needless to say it has to be a pete.

 

Have you actually measured a W900 cab vs a Pete cab for width? My 900L sure FEELS roomier than any Pete I sat in;maybe it's all in my head.

 

my next truck is maybe a 386 ,somebody can tell my from the 386 is this a good truck and with what engine(cat or cummings)is this truck good.i think the 386 is a better truck then 387 is this correct,and how is the mpg for this 386