Peterbilt vs. Kenworth: What's the Difference? - Big Questions About Big Rigs

Hi there Jack's Chrome Fam! After the huge success of our first episode of our brand new Big Questions About Big Rigs series, "Where did the Cabovers Go?" we decided we would debut another all-new episode for you folks, this time featuring "Peterbilt vs. Kenworth: What's the Difference?" Hope you all enjoy!

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[a.s.]

I retired from the Kenworth company after building these rigs for many, many years. The plant I worked at, in Seattle, built what they called "high content" highway trucks. All the heavy duty rigs that were big but not like the off-highway rigs we built for the oil industry. 6 by 6's, tridem rear axles, double frames, extra long frames, dual steer front axles, etc. There was a time in the late 90's, early 2000's that we ran Kenworths and Peterbuilts down the same production line. What a logistical nightmare. ALL parts had to be kept separate and used only on the brand they were called out for right down to every nut, bolt, washer, air fitting, zip tie. . .

[cahg]

I retired from driving truck a little over a year ago.I didn’t think I would miss those farm tractors(International), but I will see a new truck and remember the times I was by myself and the freedom I felt.I just don’t miss the bad hours and bad snow storms.

[grahamneal]

When I was a young bloke about 1965 my dad told me the story of these two brands. It goes on about two brothers, Peter and Ken Worth who started a truck building enterprise. All was going well until they had differences of opinion on future development so they parted. Ken kept on and branded his trucks Kenworth and Peter named his Peterbuilt. Much later I learnt this to be false but never let the truth interfere in a good yarn and in later years it was a good yarn at truck stops.

[roundsm]

My favorites have still been 379 Pete or W900 Kenworth. They’re still the truck every kid draws in school. None of this new updated stuff.

[StarPartners]

I learned to drive a semi in a ‘76 Pete and my first job was hauling produce in a new ‘79 Pete with a 13 speed. Both of them cabovers. But my first and only O/O was a ‘93 Mack CH613 Bulldog. Still own it. It’s got just shy of a million miles and NEVER ever left me on the side of the road. Not Once ! I’m retired, now, but I still maintain the CDL even at 74 years old. Give me a job, “caressing a bulldog” any day or year! Would love to see similar videos comparing the Macks and now parent company, Volvo. Yes, I’m prejudiced in favor of the bulldog, can you blame me? And when the fuel surcharges began, I discovered my Mack was averaging 7.75 mpg, when Unigroup (United Van Lines & Mayflower Transit) fleet average was 5.6 mpg... My fuel surcharges practically paid my entire fuel bill. Well almost. There’s a reason it’s said, “Built like a Mack Truck” .... They are Dependable... And a fabulous ride... thanks for listening....

[michesgqlledobbiln]

I've had the pleasure of driving both brands, and enjoyed both! My Kenworth was an "anteater" and had a 400 Cat with a 18 speed. My Pete was the long nose, 379, and had a 440 Cat with a 18 speed. Miss both!

[kurtsunderbruch]

Good video. FWIW, I worked in a Paccar Parts warehouse in the late 70's and early 80's. Paccar Parts is the service parts side of the KW and Peterbilt business. One of my roles there was to be a Peterbilt specialist. Even though the companies had both been owned by Paccar for some time, I can assure you that the underlying parts, and even manufacturing techniques, were substantially different. Even though they may have superficially appeared similar, the parts of the chassis and the cab were largely brand specific.

[freewillfarms]

Today they are both very sought after models and brands.
Peterbuilt is the most recognizable show truck and arguably most customized.
Kenworth will not easily be out done ...the massive road trains custom built in Australia are a sight to see. Kenworth has a special place in heavy haul American trucks aswell for escorted heavy hauling and titanic size oil field trucks.
They both are legendary American semis and both deserve recognition.

[shanbadg]

Listening to this girls voice I almost threw myself under a Volvo.

[derekantill]

Thank you for clearing up some of the confusion between these 2 manufacturers.

[JamieStuff]

I just about did a spit take of my iced tea when she mentioned "fuel economy" while showing the custom long nose trucks...

[thePtBassTuT]

Wow! Those trucks shown in the first minute of the video were beautiful!

[illuminatingmanuscripts]

Awesome Channel, I love every single one of these truck history documentaries- they are smart, informative and beautiful to lol at. But this one, in particular, is an especially awesome video because it's about the little known differences between the absolute best two brands of diesel trucks ever, which I naturally found super interesting!

[wrenchbender]

Missed the era of Kent and worthington merging to become Kenworth!

[caldeirarigs]

Hi. I'm from Brazil. You forget when you mentioned the K100 and the W900 to speak about the Aerodyne version of slepeer.

[able]

Would love to see a video like this about Freightliner and Western Star.

[TheTallMan]

1:08 Anyone else see that white suv driving in reverse?

[carloselizondo]

I have a 379exhd day cab I use to haul containers out of Chicago. Bought it new in 1998 and have a million and a half miles on it.

[linkbeltdemolitiondude]

My grandfather used to be a long haul trucker. He loved his Autocars and his Petes.

[Random-rtec]

I am not a trucker and all I can say is both brands look awesome to me. Comparing them is like comparing Remington versus Mossberg shotguns me I own both & love both.