THIS IS What Truckers need to know about Long Wheelbase Trucks!

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One of the biggest comparisons in the trucking world has been between long and standard wheelbase trucks. On top of that, many have wondered whether it’s a good thing to extend the axle of your standard truck and therefore become one of the “long wheelbase” drivers in the U.S. Before you transfer to the long wheelbase, make sure to watch this video to learn a thing or two about these unique trucks.

Long Wheelbase trucks are ones that have an increased length between the wheels, hence the name long wheelbase. The wheelbase is properly measured from the center point of the forward axle to the center point in between the drive axles. With the increased trailers, obviously, the trucks had to increase as well, which is why they kept growing from 35 feet, eventually reaching 40 feet and continuing. However, the longer the trailer became, the shorter they had to make the tractor to accommodate the 55-foot overall length of the truck plus trailer. Eventually, the length of the trucks was dropped, and the feds were only measuring the trailers; this is a process that has been in place since the 1970s. Now we have long-wheelbase trucks, which provide a lot of comfort to the driver but aren't perfect!

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[joemac]

I drove a Peterbilt 379 with a 320 inch wheelbase with a 50 foot long 10'2" spread axle reefer coast to coast! It was a very badass truck but some of the grocery warehouses was a little tricky getting around at.

[gliderider]

Well difference is “company” truck verse “owner operator” here in America.

[deplorablecovfefe]

The long wheel base is getting popular with huge sleepover cabs that are like winnibagos... kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms..

[poorlittlebiker]

I’ve seen some trucks that were essentially work RVs. HUGE sleeper cab probably outfitted with a bathroom with shower, kitchen, and a sleeping quarters. The only reason I can see a person wanting a truck like that, would be because they basically live out of the truck and occasionally visit home if they even have one.

[MoMan.]

Lol I run a 300 inch wheelbase truck all over the lower 48 including going into the boroughs of NYC, no it’s not always easy but it can be done, you just gotta know what you’re doing!!

[michaelosgood]

I like the old long wheelbase KW 825s of the 50s up in the States. They looked cool! My favorite truck where we're from is the truck/trailer combination in cab-over form coz of our tight roads.

[texashillbilly]

My wife and I team drive. We run a T-880 Kenworth with a 373” wheelbase. 180” sleeper. Pull a 53’ conastoga step deck. 85’ overall length. We run coast to coast.

[unaizilla]

as a european I always wondered why some customized american trucks had such long wheelbases, not only compared with europeans but with the average American tractor trailer, thankfully this video answers the question

[markhansen]

I have a 303 w9 I have no issues getting around . Rides nice pulls great. Plus I have a Canadian spreed on my tractor. Come out of Alaska was a ice road truck . Been a great truck

[williamwarner]

Love the line "short wheel base trucks keep the fuel tanks away from the crime scene." (Sumery, but close) chucled at that.

[aircooledhead]

He talks about “long wheelbase truck”, but only shows one, briefly, in the first minute or so. The rest of the video is of what 95%+ of the trucks are in the US.

[waltere.mellin]

Back in the 1980's, I drove a Frieghtliner cabover, drom truck. It had a 315 inch wheelbase. I pulled an old Brown flatbed that was 42 foot long. I drove it everywhere. Narrow country roads, highways, and in big cities too. It's biggest advantages, was one, I could cheat alot of weight. And it was awesome for hauling long loads like rebar, and laminated beams. I hauled just about everything you could think of with that truck and trailer. It definitely rode better than any other cabover sitting on a typical 180 wheelbase. And because of it's wheelbase, I could haul loads that others couldn't. I could also put that truck and trailer anywhere other's could put a short wheelbase tractor. It was registered as a truck and trailer, because of the 12 foot flatbed drom. That was the best working I ever drove. I surely do miss that one. But California was always a bit tricky with that truck. LOL

[BlueDuallyx]

If they were as hard to maneuver as the video and people in the comments claimed, they would be pretty unpopular instead of being popular. I imagine those drivers with 126" or longer sleeper bunks are laughing too hard to comment.

[garymichalski]

I have a 315"WB and pull a 53ft trailer. I get around just fine. Run a lot of backroads 2 lane and back in to a lot of driveway that are know more then 10ft wide off a country 2 lane with no shoulder. Sometimes I get backed in and find it's harder to pull back out.

[paulgoree]

Some places are not good for long wheel tractor trailer, I could barely fit in a Maryland depot and had to back all the way out of the yard.I still think they are Kool

[jerrykinnin]

I'm an intermodal trucker I pull heavy 40ft containers. 36 ft bridge kingpin to centerline last axle. So to get a 51 ft 5axle 80000 lb bridge the tractor needs 15 ft from the 5th wheel to the centerline of the steer axle. So the perfect truck for me is a 9670 IHC 90" bbc 48" high 5thwheel.
11r22.5 radials on Alcoa aluminum rims
With Disc brakes an ISX Cummins with Jake, 13 speed manual, dual locker 3:90 rears on Henderson walking beam.
12, 34, 34 = 80000 lb the DPF can go under the pass side of the truck.
And I got a Twin bunk on a day cab chassis. Winner winner truck stop buffet dinner.

[StripeTheFerret]

I love your channel. Keep up the work, bro

[jeffreyponting]

A long wheelbase 290" with a flatbed allows some overhang plus they are harder to jackknife and they ride smooth.

[cncpreferred]

I am in Western Pennsylvania and we have hills. A longer wheel base is needed. Decades ago, I saw short wheel base tractors starting out while going up hill and the front tires would come off the ground. With heavier loads, a longer wheel base is mandatory.

[adventuresofabbott]

There is a 16" difference between set forward and set back front axles. Much shorter front leaf springs on set forward means stiller. Hard riding springs hence the push for stretching Pete 379, 389, kw 900s, etc