Ever since I've gotten interested in trucking I find myself looking at just about every truck I pass on the highway. I gotta tell ya, those customized Peterbuilts sure are a sight to look at, but do they have the cab space of these new company trucks?
Short answer, no. But they sure are pretty to look at. And if you really really like your truck--strength, the way it looks, handles, and if it's cozy inside--you'll be more willing to let some of that extra space go.
Paul...I didn't think they were quite as big as the company trucks but you never know until you get in one. I love seeing all the different chrome accents, custom colors with cool graphics, and the custom lights on the trucks. I've seen some beautiful rigs once I started paying attention and showing appreciation for trucking.
Operating While Intoxicated
Paul...I didn't think they were quite as big as the company trucks but you never know until you get in one. I love seeing all the different chrome accents, custom colors with cool graphics, and the custom lights on the trucks. I've seen some beautiful rigs once I started paying attention and showing appreciation for trucking.
One of the coolest trucks I have seen was one of those lowrider type tri-axle Peterbilts, with straight pipes, and a really long chassis. It had a moderate amount of chrome, but it was this beautiful yellow color and had a matching tanker trailer. It pulled up a few trucks down at a fuel stop and I was lusting after it the whole time.
Btw you can actually get in one of the trucks on display at the Iowa 80 truckstop. They have a Pete and a KW. I don't remember which one you can get in. They're so dang pretty, but it sucks not being able to even stand up inside.
Operating While Intoxicated
A big part of it depends on which sleeper it has on it as well. Pete makes up to a 76" sleeper for the 389 model. On a Kenworth W9 you'll see them with an 86" studio sleeper that has a couch which folds down to full size bed. The T600 I drove had a Studio sleeper without the couch but I had a fridge, microwave, tv and several creature comforts as well as standing room and room to move around.
Looking for a custom Pete? Here's a 359, 24 cylinder 3,400 hp one. Can't turn, can't see out the front, but it's got a monster sound!
The pic:
The story: 24 Cylinder Custom Show Truck with 12 Superchargers!
Paul and Robert....I saw an awesome Kentworth the other day that had the largest sleeper cab I believe I've ever seen on a semi. That thing looked like it had an RV attached to it and was pulling a flatbed. The money these guys spend on these customized trucks is astonishing and gives me a better appreciation and respect for the guys who loves this industry. Granted you don't have to drive a custom Pete or KW to love this industry but it's nice to see some people take it to a whole new level. Errol....That's a mountain of chrome and I think I'd be scared to crank that bad boy.
Renegade gets nervous:
Errol....That's a mountain of chrome and I think I'd be scared to crank that bad boy.
Follow the link there's a coupla videos where they crank 'er up. But nothing about driving around a truck stop lot!
Paul and Robert....I saw an awesome Kentworth the other day that had the largest sleeper cab I believe I've ever seen on a semi. That thing looked like it had an RV attached to it and was pulling a flatbed. The money these guys spend on these customized trucks is astonishing and gives me a better appreciation and respect for the guys who loves this industry. Granted you don't have to drive a custom Pete or KW to love this industry but it's nice to see some people take it to a whole new level. Errol....That's a mountain of chrome and I think I'd be scared to crank that bad boy.
The long sleepers (ARI is the main company that does that mod) are uber expensive ($230K+ depending on size and amenities) and are pretty much going to be found in the heavy haul (oversize) industry for the most part.
The reason being - if you're already running a permitted load - then the additional weight of the tractor doesn't really matter (and they are significantly heavier). Also - the stretched wheelbase of these units makes them more difficult to maneuver in tight places. But if you're running an OS load with an escort, that usually doesn't matter too much either.
The other reason you find them in oversized haul segment is, for the most part - permitted loads can only be run DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS - which gives you a LOT OF DOWNTIME. These rigs (that are 95%+ owner operators for obvious reasons), have all the amenities of home (including a bathroom, full sized fridge/kitchen/etc), because in many cases, the load is so large you have a difficult time getting into a truck stop, and it eliminates the need to get a motel.
I have a friend that's an escort for the oversized segment - pretty much all the guys he runs with, have the larger sleeper rigs.
Rick
An owner-operator is a driver who either owns or leases the truck they are driving. A self-employed driver.
I also see a lot of the oversized sleepers on the moving company trucks. I figured those are just guys that love in their truck and go wherever. I sure wouldn't want their truck payment lol
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Ever since I've gotten interested in trucking I find myself looking at just about every truck I pass on the highway. I gotta tell ya, those customized Peterbuilts sure are a sight to look at, but do they have the cab space of these new company trucks?
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.