387

You'da thunk that with as many 387's that are rolling out there, someone would'a commented by now.

 

maybe you should of asked about a volvo, seems everybody bhas something to say about them.

 

I'll give you a response... I drive a 2006 387 (company truck). It's not bad really, I prefer it over the Century. Good room inside, sleeper seems fairly well designed, rides well, fairly quiet cab, no air leaks from the doors, and a 1 piece windshield. Some of the cons are the 2/3:1/3 side window split, lousy drivers cupholder, wish the steering wheel had more adjustability, only one 12v power source in the dash, cb radio mount blocks your view of passenger fender mirror, and you have to sit close to the wheel to be able to fully engage the clutch brake (unless you're 6'+ tall and have long legs). Maybe newer models have addressed some of my minor complaints, but still I'd take a 387 over a T600 or International.

 

Overall I could deal with another 387... The last one I drove had issues with the cable cord to pull the 5th wheel. It would malfunction and even using the air release didn't do the trick. Had to pull out from under the trailer and use a hammer to get the jaw to release. Even troulble unhooking from the trailer a lot of the time. The one piece windshield proves to be a hassle if you get rock chips or cracks. Still didn't leak water like a split windshield would, though. Considering driving another one at the moment...

 

Not a bad truck. Id get one with the premium interior next time, has the cabinet doors and carpet floors. And also a double bunk. Im not too happy with the storage in the sleeper but it aint too bad. Overall I like mine,darn good visibility and manueverability,pullin about 7 mpg with a c15,but I do have an apu on it. I give it two thumbs up

 

Pros - loads of room, wide between seats, good visibility, good storage under bunk, pulls great (Cat C15), good headlights/roadlamps kick butt!/ Peterbilt service/repair seems WAYYY faster than Freightliner used to. Smooth throttle (Cat), Great jake brake (better than my old series 60 by far).


Cons (and I have a lot of 'em!) -

- Not enough storage lockers in sleeper (less than a 386),
- only cig lighter 12v power in front, needs more and better lighting in sleeper (only one spot and the dome!)
- HEAVY, I scale out at 21,500 lbs bobtail (2 people and belongings),
- HIGH - our '08 has 24.5 tires and heavy duty suspension, we are 13' 9" with an empty trailer and air bags full...
- clutch has "weird" travel, and clutch brake is way up against the firewall, as someone mentioned. I am used to it now though.
-Bad position of sleeper heat/light controls (you have to fish around under your pillow for them!). The light switches are in stupid positions, unlike my beloved old 386.
- No running light "flash" switch or headlight "flasher" like on a 386 signal lever. (again, wtf?!)
- No release of jockey box doors from the cab -ignition key only...wtf?!
- NO flat spots on the dash for cameras/phones/change etc argh! It's like it was designed by some crazy Italian boat maker - all curves and slopes.
- 5th wheel puller has to be lifted UP and BACK before it pulls out...can't use my happy hooker, gotta reach in!
- no overhead space for CB!!! In fact, comapred to my '07 FL Columbia...no useful over head storage really at all...two latching mini-cupboards, that's it. No standing room between seats (a little bit, more than a 379, lol)

This truck was not designed by the same folks who made the 386...or if it was, they left out everything good about the 386, and started from scratch with the 387. Actually, I'm not even sure which model came first.

Anyway, my wife and I are getting used to the truck now...and there IS more room than our old 386. If we keep this unit, we will use the upper bunk supports and build some shelves/lockers...but there have been disappointments.

We have been in the shop about 5 times with this truck in 3 months, all across NA. Each time it has been related to the DPF and the regen system. Always an engine light, followed by DPF and then derated within 20 minutes.

The problem has been, in order, leaking oil cooler, allowing coolant into the crankcase filter and preventing regen. (coded "excessive crankcase pressure")
Faulty fuel check valve to regen (coded 'low fuel flow') (twice)
Leaking air venturi in line to regen (no code, just no auto regen)

And finally, some 'fresh air' pipe to the regen burner that rotted away, and without fresh air, no regen.

An older 387 (pre '07) will not have this stupid DPF system...and this is on a Cat, don't know about the Cummins. This is, apparently, why Cat is now out of highway engines (as of '09).

I wish I liked this truck better. It's black, low miles and with the big rubber and heavy springs, it's BIGGG.

Anyway, wish I had better things to report. If any other 387 drivers have some good points about this truck, please post them, my wife and I are TRYING to fall in love with it, but nothing so far!

I spent 4 weeks in an '06 Volvo 780, and THAT was a comfy truck! I like the 387 dash-board better, but the Volvo is probably the most comfy 'team' truck I've tried...

...which reminds me, in typical P-bilt fashion, the 387 holds the smallest truck fridge they make...What's with THAT?!

 

I drove a 2005 387 with TMC for awhile and my only major complaint is that they're a big heavy tractor with a significant forward weight bias (at least with dual 150gal tanks). With me in the drivers seat I'd scale 200lb (my exact weight) over on the steer axle with full fuel tanks. Apart from that I loved it and would absolutely get one of my own if looking for an aero truck. Didn't get good fuel mileage at all but I blame that on TMC's setup (C15 ACERT, rather derated I suspect).

 

I drove several company 387's one pre-egr 02 ISX that was awesome on fuel mileage and would easily get 6.8 or better. The last one was a dpf-ISX 08 model that blew puffs of whiteish bluish smoke from time to time and did good to average 5.8 mpg. They are roomy but they seem cheaply designed and put together on the interior. The ones I drove were brand new from the dealer when i got them and always had rattles and sqeaks in the dash. They also had a tendency to eat up steer tires in about 50 to 60k miles i think i got a whoppinf 75k out of a set once. From what I've read on here that is common and has something to do with weak or poorly designed spring shackles? or maybe the bushings wear out quickly i cant remember exactly. It was a nice company truck but i would never own one myself.