Peterbilt recently undertook the largest product development investment in its 70-year history. “Our new truck lineup surpasses all expectations in the aero, traditional, vocational and medium-duty markets,” says Dan Sobic, Peterbilt general manager and Paccar vice president. “All of these new trucks feature improvements to help customers operate with a greater level of productivity, efficiency and cost-effectiveness.”
Four of these upgraded trucks, the Model 367, Model 365 and medium-duty Model 330 and 340, are of particular interest to construction contractors. Thanks to a new chassis design, both the Model 367 and 365 are available with set-forward and set-back axle positions to better comply with various state and federal bridge laws. According to Peterbilt’s chief engineer, Landon Sproull, axle placements are optimized for outstanding maneuverability and weight distribution while improving ride and handling.
In addition, the Model 367 can be spec’d in a special heavy-haul configuration with a high-capacity cooling system to accommodate the highest horsepower engines currently available. The hoods on both trucks are crafted from a durable composite material and feature a new, one-piece aluminum crown and stainless steel grille. The new hoods open to 90 degrees to facilitate access to the engine, and feature Peterbilt’s proprietary anti-blow-down locking mechanism to prevent unintentional closings.
Both models have new bumpers that can accommodate both a center hook configuration and a dual, removable pin configuration, which meets current Truck Maintenance Council towing requirements. A new lighting system generates 50 percent greater low-beam illumination. At the same time, Peterbilt engineers beefed up the headlamp containment packages, making them more durable and corrosion resistant. As a result, company engineers say they’ve increased headlamp bulb life 600 percent.
Medium-duty offerings expanded
Peterbilt focused on making its medium-duty trucks more easily adaptable for a wider range of applications, Sobic says. Both the Model 330 and Model 340 will accommodate bodies for applications ranging from urban pick up and delivery to heavy-duty construction.
Peterbilt is offering a new, lightweight, Class 6 Model 330 configuration with gross vehicle weight ratings up to 26,000 pounds. This truck can be equipped with hydraulic brakes and low-profile tires, allowing drivers without CDLs to operate it.
