Peterbilt – History and Top Models
Necessity leads to an idea and then to action; this is how we can summarize the founding of Peterbilt Heavy Trucks. Peterbilt is the class of trucking industry that has produced some outstanding trucks over the years. The trucks that they have produced always remained drivers’ favorite.
The tweaking technology has been part of their trucks for a long time. They are Class 5-8 manufacturers and were the pioneers of heavy-duty. Let us know more about Peterbilt Motors Company.
The Origin of Peterbilt Heavy Trucks
T.A. Peterman 1939 founded Peterbilt Heavy Trucks. He previously worked in the logging industry. The transportation of cut trees around some states of the US was indeed a labor-intensive and time-consuming task. Peterman had to use a heavy-duty vehicle to carry the cut trees from one place to another.
The founder was interested in heavy trucks. He left his work in the logging industry to pursue his passion for heavy trucks. Peterman decided to purchase the excess Army trucks and rebuild them. After the general improvement in the trucks, he took them for heavy hauling.
Peterman got his hands on failed Fageol Motors and turned it into Peterbilt. Among the initial models of Peterman were Model 334 and Model 260. These models were popular for their all-steel cab. The company didn’t rise in its early days, but it took a while to gain success.
During World War II, Peterbilt shifted its attention to trucking, for which it manufactured the Model 364. This was popularly known for being a dependable workhorse. However, the founder of Peterbilt could see his company’s success for only five years. He died in 1944, after which his wife sold the company to a bunch of managers.
Quality Heavy-duty Trucks
Peterman was very conscious of the quality and engine performance. For this reason, he sent a few engineers to the truckers to understand what their needs and expectations were.
Apart from the performance, he was also conscious of the overall design and different parts of the truck. Seeing the Ford brand producing about 100 trucks a day, he kept the goal of producing at least 100 trucks a year.
They built 14 trucks in the very first year and 82 trucks the following year.
The 20th Century
In order to reduce the overall weight of cabin chases, the Peterbilt company started using aluminum. Later in 1958, Pacific car and Foundry, who were the railroad freight car manufacturers, purchased Peterbilt.
Peterbilt introduced a very innovative 90-degree tilt hood in 1959 that was for easier services. Later in 1965, they built the very first all-aluminum tilt hood for the most conventional models.
1960 opened another era of success for them as they built a new manufacturing plant in Newark, CA. During the very first year, 800 trucks were manufactured. The second manufacturing plant was opened in Nashville, TN. However, this facility was closed down in 2009, 40 years later.
By this time, they were already leading in the heavy-duty truck market. Finally, they changed their name in 1972 to PACCAR.
When the Denton, TX manufacturing plant was opened in 1980, most of the facilities from the Newark plant were moved to Denton. This led to the closure of the New York plant in 1986. 1984 was another year of success as the Peterbilt model 349, which was an innovative model.
The 21st Century
The 21st century came with the arrival of various innovative models that boosted the heavy-truck industry. One of those was Model 386, which was manufactured in 2011. It was the very first Smartway Designated Alternative Fuel Vehicle. Another vehicle with outstanding operational efficiency and aerodynamic features was the Model 587. It became the standard with Air Disc Brakes.
The year 2014 brought an amazing EPIQ Package for the Model 579. This one stood out among the rest in amazing fuel economy and aerodynamic efficiency.
Also, Peterbilt has added natural gas Cummins engines to the lines to increase diversity among production models.
Peterbilt Model 389
It is a spacious cab having state-of-the-art technology. Its advanced features, modern design, and lightweight materials save up to 4% of the fuel economy. You can easily find the Peterbilt Wiring Diagram for the 389 Model family on the internet.
Peterbilt Model 579
This 579 Peterbilt comes with advanced aerodynamic features and amazing fuel efficiency. Safety and comfort were considered the top priority in making this model.
Peterbilt Model 379
The 379 belongs to the Class 8 trucks. They were manufactured from 1987 to 2007. It succeeded the Model 359 and served as a conventional cab truck for many years. The Peterbilt 379 was one amazing quality truck that actually helped boost the brand.
It’s been more than 80 years of Peterbilt, and it is still producing innovative and individualized solutions with class and pride. People still prefer Peterbilt over other heavy-duty manufacturers because of their innovative models. Their amazing history is proof of why people believe so much in Peterbilt and the vehicles they manufacture.
Frequently Asked Questions about Peterbilt
How long should you let diesel engines idle to warm up?
The outdoor temperature affects idle warm-up time for diesel engines. For example, at 50 degrees Fahrenheit, the engine should idle for around 2 minutes. When contrasted with a temperature of below 0 degrees Fahrenheit warm-up time of 7 minutes, it is easy to see why temperature is the main variable.
Why is Peterbilt so popular with truckers?
Peterbilt has a long history and reputation for manufacturing long-lasting, hard working machines. Peterbilt produced many machines in the 1970’s and 80’s during manufacturing boom periods, and truckers learned that reliable machines were the best way to go. Furthermore, Peterbilt trucks tend to have a longer wheelbase that makes them sturdy in transit, another factor in their longevity.