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About Peterbilt

Peterbilt’s history can be traced back to 1915 in Oakland, California, with the founding of Fageol Motors Company, which would later be purchased by T.A. Peterman in 1939 for a reported $50,000. Peterman, a successful Washington state logger, was seeking a more efficient way to transport logs to his lumber mills. Establishing Peterbilt Motors Company provided the solution to his problem.

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Peterbilt Model 579

Early History

Peterbilt’s first models included the chain-drive Model 260 and dual-drive Model 334, both released in 1939. Peterbilt’s red oval logo made its debut in 1953, and this same logo is found front-and-center on every Peterbilt truck made since. The company’s longest-running production series, the Model 351, was introduced just one year later in 1954 and remained in production for more than 20 years. Peterbilt was sold to Pacific Car & Foundry (now known as Paccar) in 1958. The Fortune 500 company based in Bellevue, Washington, had already purchased Kenworth in 1945. Peterbilt continued its streak of innovation under Paccar, releasing the Model 359 in 1967. Paccar eventually relocated Peterbilt to new headquarters in Denton, Texas, in 1980 with a larger, state-of-the-art manufacturing plant where the next generations would be developed and produced.

A Modern Foundation

In 1986, Peterbilt released “The Successors” lineup that included semi-truck Models 357, 375, 377, and 379. The latter was built for owner-operators and remained Peterbilt’s flagship long-haul model until 2007, when Peterbilt replaced it with the Model 389. Peterbilt often equipped the Class 8 Model 379 with most powerful diesel engines of the time, including high-power engines from brands like Caterpillar, Cummins, and Detroit.

Peterbilt entered the medium-duty truck market in the 1990s, introducing the Model 330 in 1994. The Model 220, which featured a low-cab forward design, followed in the 330’s footsteps as a compact, medium-duty truck equipped for urban applications and last-mile delivery. Peterbilt introduced its EPA SmartWay-designated truck, the Model 386, in 2005. Fuel efficiency and payload optimization continue to be a Peterbilt priority. The manufacturer’s heavy-duty flagship Model 579 introduced in 2012 delivered more advanced aerodynamics and new fuel-efficient engines, and the versatile Model 567, introduced in 2013, brought similar innovation to vocational applications.

The Flagship 579

Peterbilt continues to evolve the on-highway 579 with the latest and greatest technology and features. In 2021, for example, Peterbilt equipped the 579 semi-truck with a 15-inch Digital Dash Display, a smart steering wheel, and a Bluetooth microphone, as well as a suite of standard driver safety and assistance systems, including collision mitigation, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assist. The company also redesigned the hood and bumper to maximize aerodynamic performance without impacting the truck’s ground clearance.

Peterbilt’s 389

The long, aluminum hood and polished-steel louvered grille of the Peterbilt 389 harks back to the company’s legendary heavy-duty 379 and 359 models. This instantly recognizable design is just one of the reasons Peterbilt calls the 389 an “icon of the road,” as the platform is also known for providing drivers with the highest levels of power and load capacity. The highly customizable Class 8 truck is available with a wide range of transmission and engine options by virtue of its long, 131-inch (3,327-millimeter) bumper to back of cab (BBC) length. As of this writing, the most powerful engine for the Model 389 is Paccar’s MX-13 engine rated for 510 horsepower (380 kilowatts) and 1,850 pounds-foot (2,508 newton-meters) of torque.

The Workhorse 567

Peterbilt’s Model 567 is adaptable and features the company’s Vehicle Electronic Control Unit technology that simplifies the integration process with vocational bodies. Peterbilt also lets buyers configure the Model 567 with numerous Paccar and Cummins engine options and Paccar, Eaton, Eaton Fuller, and Allison transmissions. The Model 567 is designed to take on just about any vocational role, and can readily serve as a crane or dump truck, flatbed, tanker, or van. Often configured as a day cab, the 567’s ergonomic cab offers drivers and passengers easy entry and exit with stair-style steps, as well as non-slip treads for improved traction. Sleeper cabs are also available for long-haul vocational applications.

UltraLoft High-Roof Cab

Many of Peterbilt’s trucks are available with the UltraLoft cab, a high-roof cab option designed to give long-haul drivers a sleeper truck with the space to enjoy comforts of home on the road, such as upper and lower bunk mattresses, more headroom, multiple storage compartments, and amenities like an HDTV and large microwave. The UltraLoft’s aerodynamic design optimizes fuel efficiency, too, which makes it even more attractive to fleet owners.

Peterbilt Medium-Duty Trucks

Peterbilt’s Class 6 truck lineup includes models like the 220, 536, and 537. The company refreshed the Model 536 in 2021, incorporating design elements inspired by driver feedback and a move toward greater versatility. The new cab comfortably fits up to three people at 6.9 feet (2.1 meters) wide, or 8 in. (203 mm) wider than that of the previous 536. And with a 55-degree wheel cut and short wheelbase options, the 536 is well-equipped to operate in tight loading and unloading environments. The new 536 also offers many of the technological advancements and driver assistance features available on Peterbilt’s on-highway trucks. For example, in early 2022, Peterbilt announced that Cummins B6.7N natural gas engines were available on its Model 536 and Model 537 medium-duty trucks.

Peterbilt Goes Electric

With its Model 579EV and Model 520EV on-highway trucks and the medium-duty Model 220EV, Peterbilt offers a selection of electric vehicles that address emission reduction requirements across multiple applications. The Model 220EV, for example, provides a range of 200 miles (322 kilometers) and is equally suited for regional hauling and urban pickup and delivery duties. The Model 520EV is a battery-electric option for refuse and recycling collection, and the Model 579EV is currently offered as a day cab, making it ideal for short-haul and drayage work.

Find The Right Peterbilt Truck

You will find thousands of new and used Peterbilt trucks for sale on TruckPaper.com. Models such as the Peterbilt 337, 348, 379, 389, 567, and 579 are well-represented on the site.