Peterbilt 340/348

[ADC120]

Does anyone have any experience with the Peterbilt 348 (Formally 340) Chassis in the fire service? We're possibly looking at a new tanker, and a Peterbilt would be very convenient when it comes to service & repair availability. I am aware of the IH's, Freightliners, and other chassis, but I would really like some feedback on the Peterbilt's.

[chiefengineer11]

Does anyone have any experience with the Peterbilt 348 (Formally 340) Chassis in the fire service? We're possibly looking at a new tanker, and a Peterbilt would be very convenient when it comes to service & repair availability. I am aware of the IH's, Freightliners, and other chassis, but I would really like some feedback on the Peterbilt's.

While Peterbilt has not been a major player in the fire chassis business, the ones that are out there that I'm aware of have given good accounts of themselves. They are, of course, from Paccar which also owns Kenworth. I believe that there is no reason why a properly spec'd and built Pete shouldn't give you more than adequate service. You indicate that you have a dealer convenient to you. That's a biggie, as long as they give good service.

I would certainly recommend talking to your prospective builders and see what their history with Pete is. And don't accept, "We can build on any chassis." The question should be, "How many have you done?" Then find who has any and talk to them. From that builder and others.

[Tim1118]

Well said chiefengineer11...

You will certainly want to talk with any potential builders for this truck, and see what their experience has been with Peterbuilt chassis's. Don't just take one manufacturers word for it, talk to several of them. One may have had numerous problems, but others may actually prefer them. I agree that a properly spec'd out Pete should do just fine for you, especially since you have a dealer nearby.

[plumb25]

Depending on what you're looking for this might work. Even if you want to go with another builder or style you might be able to some info on this unit from a local dealer just to get ideas. Just a thought.


[URL="http:// www.piercemfg.com/StockDeliveryDetail.html?StockTruckId=e84d8b9c-8bdc-4c1b-82c7-233ca49e2698"]

[eagle5473]

contact Northville FD in CT they run a fleet of Peterbuilts 5 by my count

Northville FD

(860) 354-8194

355 Litchfield Rd

New Milford, CT 06776

[sigarms229]

My department has a 2009 Peterbilt 340 US Tanker. The chassis is decent for its size. It is powered by the 360HP Paccar PX8 motor (Cummins). We would have prefered a larger chassis but were shot down by our Twp Supervisors due to cost and 1 dip**** thinking it was overkill.

My only complaint is that we put the batteries under the officers seat and because of their mount the seat can't go backwards fully. Nobody mentioned that during the specing.

Other than that we are happy with the chassis.

http://www.maytownedfd.com/capparatusPage.php?6

[neiowa]

Cummins

Tiny antique sized cab. The extra room of an IH or Frtliner cab is needed when you want to put 2x FF in TO gear. Can put 3x FF in IH/Frtliner don't even think about it in a Pete.

[ADC120]

Thanks for the comments so far, I welcome any further input on the subject. Sigarms, since the PX-8 is the largest engine available, does the truck perform well, or is it underpowered? I assume the reason the batteries are in the cab, is due to the vertical exhaust? Neiowa, does your department have experience with Peterbilt? Two of our pumpers are Freightliner, and I ran a IH 4900 for years.

[SFD_E73_RET]

Isn't Pete out of the fire service because they do not provide any stability control?

[npfd801]

Isn't Pete out of the fire service because they do not provide any stability control?

If a rig will pass a tilt table test, stability control isn't always necessary.

I think the comments on the cab size are accurate, and the door opening is such that I almost always hit my head when getting in or out when I have one in my possession. Driving dynamics are fine on the models I've sampled, but the cab does not quite get to Freightliner and IH standards for room and such things as noise and vibration levels. Much more noticed by a guy like me that has to drive one for hours on end as opposed to running it to a fire scene for a few minutes.

I believe, and I would need to check, there is a substantial difference in price between the Pete and Freightliner and IH. If it meets your needs, it will likely be your lowest cost choice.

[skipatrol8]

I believe, and I would need to check, there is a substantial difference in price between the Pete and Freightliner and IH. If it meets your needs, it will likely be your lowest cost choice.

Does the Pete compete with IH 4 or 7 series? How about the FL?

Just curiosity here...the tanker posted earlier holds almost 3000 gallons, and I can't imagine seeing that on a IH 4400.

[islandfire03]

Peterbuilt & Kenworth build class 6,7 & 8 chassis. available in many different GVW
configurations from 26,000 to 80,000 gvw

3000 gallons of water would need a Navistar 7400 chassis

[ADC120]

Does the Pete compete with IH 4 or 7 series? How about the FL?

Just curiosity here...the tanker posted earlier holds almost 3000 gallons, and I can't imagine seeing that on a IH 4400.

Peterbilt refers to them as "Baby 8's" You can order them with 46,000# rears.

[donethat]

The Mid-Range Peterbuilt and Kenworth chassis are built in the same Paccar plant outside of Montreal, Canada The Peterbuilt had some items as std equipment where they were options on the Kenworth chassis. Kind of like Ford and Mercury’s built in the same plant.

[sigarms229]

Sigarms, since the PX-8 is the largest engine available, does the truck perform well, or is it underpowered? I assume the reason the batteries are in the cab, is due to the vertical exhaust?

With the amount of water we carry it is slightly under powered. Not as bad as our previous unit but it is under powered. Like I said, we wanted a larger chassis and motor but were over ridden by our municipality that was paying for the unit. If your unit is going to be similar size I would STRONGLY encourage you to go with a larger chassis with more HP.

Yes, the batteries moved inside the cab due to the vertical exhaust.