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Wheelbase... optimal/acceptable length question

Discussion in 'Trucking Industry Regulations' started by Klueless, May 25, 2010.

  1. May 25, 2010 #1
    Klueless

    Klueless Bobtail Member

    4
    0
    May 25, 2010
    Springfield, Mo
    0
    Ok, I'm in the process of trying to buy a truck and go O/O. That said, I'm quite interested in the Petes and KWs with the longer wheelbases (379, w900, etc). My main question is how long is TOO long? I'm with Prime right now (I know, I know... working on escaping, trust me) and a truck with a 280" WB would be VERY hard to negotiate in some (quite a few) of the places I go to, especially in the NE.

    If it helps, I'm looking hard at Landstar (van) and would love to know from people there what lengths work or wouldn't. Obviously, the better the driver the tighter fit you can negotiate, but I'd hate to go buy a beautiful truck I love and then hate 'cause I can't take it to any of the docks. Self imposed hell is the worst! :biggrin_2556:

    I've driven a classic FL otr, and I think it was in the neighborhood of 265-ish (?) but most of the trucks I'm looking at are 270-280 with several over 300

    Oddball question I know, and it'll have 10 bajillion different answers, but still figured I'd toss it out and see what people that own them already have to say!

    Thanks for any help, and for the awesome forums! ~Klue
     
    Klueless, May 25, 2010
    Klueless, May 25, 2010
    #1
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  3. May 25, 2010 #2
    Powell-Peralta

    Powell-Peralta Road Train Member

    1,585
    240
    Jul 17, 2007
    0
    In my opinion after about two weeks after you buy the truck the novelty of having a long hood and long wheelbase will wear off. Meanwhile it's now time to make money and, to me, a shorter wheelbase just makes it more handy and convienient to make money----you know a truck is a tool. The easier the tool is to handle, the more efficient you'll be.


    i personally think 260" is the max. With 260", you can get an 84" sleeper. And, if you can't get comfortable with 84", then i don't think you're trying hard enough.

    That's just my opinion, which as you probably know by now, differs greatly from alot of people here.
     
    Powell-Peralta, May 25, 2010
    Powell-Peralta, May 25, 2010
    #2
  4. May 25, 2010 #3
    dmg1029

    dmg1029 Light Load Member

    182
    55
    Jun 6, 2009
    Coeur d Alene, ID
    0
    Plus if you run in Canada, you are limited in some provinces to wheelbase. I just purchased a pete 388 with a 244 and 48 sleeper. Works for me.
     
    dmg1029, May 25, 2010
    dmg1029, May 25, 2010
    #3
  5. May 25, 2010 #4
    grimesjm1

    grimesjm1 Medium Load Member

    375
    228
    Nov 5, 2008
    Kensington,OH
    0
    i own a 379 and a volvo 670. the volvo is by far easier to drive and as the above poster said, the novelty of the 379 wears off fast. besides the fact its super small inside vs. the volvo......
     
    grimesjm1, May 25, 2010
    grimesjm1, May 25, 2010
    #4
  7. May 25, 2010 #5
    Klueless

    Klueless Bobtail Member

    4
    0
    May 25, 2010
    Springfield, Mo
    0
    Cool, thanks for the opinions! Canada won't be (isn't) an issue since they tend to frown on dogs and guns crossing the border, but I appreciate the info all the same! There's no such thing as Too Much Information in my opinion :) ~ Klue
     
    Klueless, May 25, 2010
    Klueless, May 25, 2010
    #5
  8. May 26, 2010 #6
    rbht

    rbht Heavy Load Member

    888
    525
    Jan 23, 2010
    CT,NH
    0
    I have a pete exhd with a 280wb and i pull a 48ft flat and 53ft van around the north east and have never had an issue getting in anywhere with it, after owning a long wb truck i would never go back to a shorty or a set back axel the ride is worth the lenght to me ,its not the lengh of the truck its the person behinded the wheel, i've seen guys with day cabs have a hard time backing in to a dock where 3 other trucks as long or longer than me just backed in and how does a short whelbase truck make you more money.
     
    rbht, May 26, 2010
    rbht, May 26, 2010
    #6
    Klueless Thanks this.
  9. May 26, 2010 #7
    grimesjm1

    grimesjm1 Medium Load Member

    375
    228
    Nov 5, 2008
    Kensington,OH
    0
    Sometimes drivers make a wrong turn and get in a tight spot or have to do some tight manuevering. It doesn't matter how good a driver you are, a shorter wheelbase truck is easier to manuever then a long wheelbase. The ride may be better, my 379 doesn't have an airride cab and my 670 does, so i didn't take that into consideration.
     
    grimesjm1, May 26, 2010
    grimesjm1, May 26, 2010
    #7
    Klueless Thanks this.
  10. May 26, 2010 #8
    HaulnHorses

    HaulnHorses Light Load Member

    88
    33
    Apr 18, 2008
    0
    230" WB is what we run on all the trucks. We have to get into the tightest farms and driveways delivering horses. All of our trucks have 72-77" sleepers.

    My buddy has a 280 WB W900 that he HAD to buy... He is tired of not getting around where the rest of us can. Its for sale now...

    Dont buy a cool looking truck that you cant use or makes your job even harder. Our smaller WB trucks look good and get the job done.
     
    HaulnHorses, May 26, 2010
    HaulnHorses, May 26, 2010
    #8
    Klueless Thanks this.
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