Peterbilt Clutch Pedal.

I recently drove an older 1990's Peterbilt with a clutch pedal that went down into the floor. It was the most painful/unergonomic clutch I ever felt. Normally the pedal should mount through the firewall. Are the new trucks built with the pedal going through the floor?

I was in a 2011 386 that had that clutch. I hated it. But the 2014 387 I did my training in was through the firewall

Oh, don't get me started!

I used to absolutely HATE those trucks! As a matter of fact, during this last winter when it was extremely cold and snow packed everywhere, they wanted me to take one of those trucks as a loaner. To be honest, if the check engine light hadn't stayed on, I would have found another reason to get out of it. If your footwear is wet or muddy, etc., that clutch pedal is a total pain! Not to mention the brake being the same as the accelerator and right there next to it. I have heard stories of people getting their feet stuck in-between the pedals, etc. I used to have to look down there to make sure I wasn't going to hit the brake instead of the accelerator. I still look down there sometimes to make sure I am on the brake in testy situations. The 5th wheel is usually smaller, and the back of the truck likes to jump up when you unhook, which can damage it, oh and all the fairings on these trucks are almost always bent up or removed because of high hooking.

All that being said, I have driven a few of them over the last couple of weeks as loaners, and it's not as bad as it used to be. It still takes a little extra effort to get the clutch brake engaged, but the rest becomes easier. I actually think they are easier to back than some other trucks. I still don't like the small windshield, the way the mirrors are, how I can't get the steering wheel where I like it, how high the dash is, etc., but, as I said, it doesn't bother me as much as it used to after getting some miles in them in decent weather with dry feet.

But, even with non-slip soles, be careful with the clutch. It IS extremely easy for your foot to slip off there.

Thanks for the reply. The Peterbilts for the company I'm going with are recent, so that shouldn't be an issue. But they have other trucks like cascadia and prostar.

I think Freightliner, Volvo, and Internationals have better visibility and are easier to operate overall. Just my opinion.