HELP! Best Peterbilt Tractor for in town lowboy.

Ridgerunner

New member
We have just purchased an excavating company to add to our concrete company. We want to add to the fleet a new lowboy tractor and trailer. The current one we have is a Peterbilt 377. I want to find something with the best turning radius and would be able to hand hauling a lowboy with excavator and dozer. Anyone have suggestions. I've been looking at 377, 378, 378SB, and 379 so far. There's just so many different layout one could look forever.

Look forward to some help.

Thanks
 

Buckfever

Active member
What ever model you pick a set back axel is a must. Those long nose tractors are a nightmare on tight streets with small intersections. Although I have seen some good drivers wiggle a w900 with a long lowboy around some tight areas a shorter truck would make life a lot easier.
 

Tiny

Well-known member
I know I'm late to get in on this but the axle set back is a real good idea . Old company went to T 600s and t 800s . made a difference
 

Coal Roller

New member
For a Setback axle Lowboy Tractor, Tiny is right Kenworth T600, and T800's are the King's of Lowboy Tractors. I would be willing to guess that is the most popular Lowboy Tractor/Heavy Haul truck on the road today. I've moved a lot of Equipment with 379 Pete's, and KW W900's, but this was in Coal Mining Country (Kentucky/W.VA) I would not want to have to run a Lowboy everyday, driving in town all the time, with either of those Trucks. I can do it, but would not like it. Make life easier on your Driver, get a Daycab SB Axle, as short as you can get by with on the W.B. If I was going to have to move Equipment everyday, one of those 2 T-Series KW's would definitely be my choice.
Hope we have been of some insight to you!
 

RonG

Well-known member
If you could live with the gross weight capacity a DM 685 Mack would be my choice.I have pulled some pretty big loads with them and they seemed to handle whatever we could throw at them with no complaints.That short cab with no overhang makes them a great tractor for tight spots but this is a Peterbilt thread of course,just sayin'.Ron G
 
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