Kenworth Trucks unveiled this morning a new T680 model with a 52-inch sleeper, made for regional and mid-range distance applications, said the truck maker. The announcement came this morning at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Ky.
Kenworth’s Chief Engineer Kevin Baney said the truck is ideal for drivers who spend 3-5 days on the road, as it still offers the amenities of the 76-inch model’s sleeper and cab but weighs 700 pounds less and has “a smaller footprint,” Baney says.
Moreover, the truck has been optimized for flatbed and tanker-hauling operations, says Baney.
“Many regional haul applications don’t utilize full-height trailers,” Baney said. “Operators who run tank, flatbed, heavy haul, lowboy and container trailers typically have lower trailer heights or lower payload heights than traditional 53-foot dry van trailers. The mid-roof sleeper is a more application-specific design and can be more efficient because it pushes less air.”
Kenworth also debuted at its press event the new severe duty T880, which is like the company’s T800, but with a more utilitarian cab and dash layout.
The company also announced a new factory-installed and integrated engine-off heating and cooling idle management system for the T680 (76-inch sleeper).
The system is a battery-based APU system for air conditioning that is tied directly into the T680’s ducting system.
