PHILADELPHIA. A 40-in. sleeper model for vocational and regional fleets needing an occasional-use bunk that meets legal driver rest requirements will be added to the Kenworth T880 lineup in March, 2016. Expected applications include oil field service, towing and bulk hauling operations.
Announced at the American Trucking Assns.’ annual conference, the new model is said to be 250 lbs. lighter than 52-in. sleeper models. It features a 24-in. wide bunk that lifts to access 22-sq.-ft. of storage space, and three window options will be offered, according to the company.
Kenworth also announced availability of the new PACCAR MX-11 in its trucks as of Jan. 2016. Officially introduced last week by PACCAR Powertrain, the new 10.8-L diesel is 400 lbs. lighter than the company’s MX-13. Already in service in Europe, the MX-11 will be offered in 355 to 430 HP ratings with peak torques ranging from 1250 to 1550 lbs. ft. Potential uses include LTL and regional hauling, ready-mix, dump, tanker and any other weight sensitive application, according to Kenworth GM Preston Feight.
In other news, Kenworth announced the launch of dealer certification program called PremierCare Gold. Certification requirements will include express service lanes with two-hr. triage for fleets signing up for the premium program, shops open at least 80 hrs. a week including eight hrs. on weekends, 24-hr. roadside service, and a premium drivers’ lounge.
Feight said he expects 25 to 50% of the company’s dealers will receive the gold certification initially and that the overall goal is “no less than 80%.”
