Driving a Stretched Peterbilt

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Chinatown, Jan 11, 2025.

  1. Diesel Dave

    Diesel Dave Last Few of the OUTLAWS

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    Hesperia, Ca.
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    I can do 5’ front overhang in the front with my short sleeper on a 255” wheelbase truck.
     
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  3. D.Tibbitt

    D.Tibbitt Road Train Member

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    Apr 26, 2013
    Gettin' down westbound
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    My company specs them out from the factory because we haul overlength product from our customers 90%+ of the time and it allows u to run freight that would otherwise need a stretch trailer and/or pilot car(s)..
    If I put my 5th wheel all the way back I can get 8ft of overhang up front.. alot of times we don't even need a permit out west or its a very cheap one.
    I hauled a 75ft long load a couple months back on a 48ft trailer with 8ft of overhang up front


    20250112_151000.jpg 20241021_115208.jpg
     
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  4. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    Apr 16, 2014
    high plains colorado
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    No air in the chair? You obviously haven't driven a spring ride Transtar, the air seat actually had a vital purpose, cushioning your sorry aXX from the rough ride. Old timers(me) will tell of the hydraulic "Viking" jobs that did little. Didn't matter the make, Mack, FL, IH, Ford, Jimmy, all the trucks us poor company bozos with spring ride, had to put up with. I remember roads so rough, even the air seat didn't help from the shaking. Old timers talk about wiring the seat adjust open for oscillation, and sat on a inner tube. You crybabies with your "triple air" have no complaint. My back hurts,,,,:(
     
  5. RockinChair

    RockinChair Road Train Member

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    Feb 19, 2012
    CC, TX
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    Back when I was in my 20s drove they had me driving an old Marmon daycab that did not have an air seat, just a little shock absorber thing and mechanical suspension like you see on a scissor lift. I can only go about 50 mi before my back was killing me.

    After that there's no way in hell I'd ever drive a truck without putting enough air in the seat to keep it from bottoming out.
     
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  6. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    Apr 16, 2014
    high plains colorado
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    They were called Bostrom Viking T-Bar Mechanical seats. No longer available and for good reason,,,
    https://seatsrus.com.au/product/bostrom-biking-bar-seat-mechanical-no-longer-avail
     
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  7. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

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    Dec 9, 2011
    South west Missouri
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  8. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
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    Yeah, I noticed his eyes always scanning and looking at the mirrors.
     
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  9. pnw guy

    pnw guy Light Load Member

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    Jun 18, 2018
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    I feel like a short stick is the premium choice for my joints. I'm 6'3" with a 12" visor, some bad choices might have been made but the visor is not one of them.
     
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  10. TripleSix

    TripleSix God of Roads

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    Apr 10, 2009
    Copied in Hell
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    Smooth on the throttle and his eyes constantly scanning the hood and mirrors. Solid young driver.
     
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  11. Arctic_fox

    Arctic_fox Experienced mx13 execrator

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    Sep 16, 2016
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    Cant say for other guys. But as an end dump its a much more stable platform with that longer wheel base and the 5th wheel further forward. Also a lot easier to get legal weight without as much in the nose so overall safer no matter how you slice it.

    20241218_072906 (1).jpg
     
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