New truck... but what truck?

All of our O/O's seem to be running 389, 379, w900, and xl classics. There is a columbia, fld, and a couple Volos also. So maybe that's the reasoning they just dont find it matters much. Surprisingly we have a lot running flat tops. When I do catch guys and have a chance to talk it amazes me how little these guys pay attention to stuff. I have yet to come across A single one that even knows what he's getting for fuel mileage. Most dont even have a clue what theyre running for power other than the engine model and X speed tranny. When I ask what they think of the aero stuff they claim is just doesn't hold up. They feel the traditional trucks are just better suited. A couple have mentioned very costly repairs to the skirting along the fuel tanks after hitting critters... Which seems to happen for us on a very regular basis.

 

I actually had my heart set on a 389 but started looking at the kenworth a lot harder after looking at then today.
With the 389 I can only run a 100/150 gallon and at best I MIGHT be able to get one of those extremely narrow steps for access to the deck.
With the w900l I can get a 120/135 gallon so an extra 5 gallons and still have plenty of room to add a 12" tool box / step combo on the drivers side. Which I think would be nice.

With the 244" WB with the 389 and 63" bunk or the w900l with the 72 I can bet there would not be enough room to run a cabinet style head ache rack and hook up to a refer without the 5th wheel slide as far back as it would go so the storage box step combo would be a nice touch.

Doesnt anyone know the real weight different between the w900l w/ 72 and pete 389 w/ 63? The office is always complaining that the w900's are total pigs and the nose of the trailer have to be loaded extremely light but don't hear nearly as many complaints about the Petes. There been plenty of w9 guys miss out on loads around our place because they're simply too heavy. I really don't want that to be and issue.

 

This is a fairly nice 48" they currently have sitting at the local dealer.

 

This is a Canadian 389 with the 244" WB as you can see it really doesn't leave us a ton of room behind the sleeper..