Truck Spotlight

Timely improvements

Peterbilt’s regional-haul 384 model delivers efficiency gains, weight savings, aero advantages.

Peterbilt’s Model 384 was named the American Truck Dealers’ Commercial Truck of the Year for 2010, an honor reflecting numerous 2009 model year enhancements to improve aerodynamics.

Owner-operators running long-haul irregular-route segments to shorter hauls on dedicated lanes will appreciate the 384’s shorter bumper-to-back-of-cab length of 116 inches, compared to the heavy-duty Model 386. “The shorter BBC provides greater flexibility and maneuverability,” says David Giroux, Peterbilt communications director.

“With the beginning of a move to shorter-distance hauls across many segments, not only among regional but normal truckload segments, the 384 is an ideal fit,” says Tony McQuary, Peterbilt senior director of strategic business planning.

Operators in weight-sensitive tank, bulk and other applications can benefit, too, from the 384’s relatively light GVW with increased payload capacity. “In the last year, with a number of our fleet customers who’ve started to run the 384 and have changed their traditional spec’ing packages,” weight savings have driven interest, McQuary says.