What You Need to Know Before Driving a Peterbilt?

If you’re not too keen on sitting at a desk for eight hours a day but still want a stable job, being a professional truck driver may be the best choice for you. Of course, that means you need to have the necessary training, not to mention the proper license. If you’ve got both under your belt, then all that remains is to actually find the truck for you.

If you haven’t thought about that yet, you ought to consider a Peterbilt truck. There’s a reason many truckers swear by these heavy-duty vehicles. Before you start driving one, though, here are a few things you need to know. 

Make Sure the Cab is Comfortable

Whatever truck you ultimately end up getting, remember that you’re going to be spending a lot of time in its cab. That’s why it’s crucial that you’re comfortable in it. 

The best place to start with is the driver’s seat. If you’re rather new to the industry, chances are that you’ll be buying a used truck, so at the very least make sure you can adjust the seat height and the backrest to your liking. It should be close enough to the steering wheel so you can actually maneuver the truck while making sure you can see as much of the road as you can. 

Finally, ensure that the cab is properly insulated. This will help ensure the air conditioning can keep the cab nice and cool during the warmer months, and so the heater can keep you warm when cold weather hits. Plus, a cab with proper insulation will make for a smoother driving experience overall, leading to more comfort and less stress. 

Don’t Forget to Check Your Equipment

Once the load you’re supposed to transport is in the truck, it can be tempting to just jump into the cab and drive away. But just as with the average family car, you need to inspect the truck before you start it up and drive anywhere. 

You’ll want to pay attention to the same things as you would a car, for the most part, like checking the hoses and airlines for cracks and leaks, and making sure the fluids are topped off. You’ll want to be sure the brakes and your lights are working, too, since these will help you prevent accidents.

The Peterbilt 389 is A Good Place to Start

Using a Peterbilt 389 isn’t just about driving a classic-looking vehicle, but about the fusion of form and function. This truck comes with a highly efficient engine under its hood so you get more mileage out of it than you might expect, even with a used truck. The cab has also been designed to be more aerodynamic, boosting the truck’s efficiency.

If you’re limiting yourself to older truck models, the 389 is, hands-down, the better choice. It’s 150 pounds lighter than its predecessor, the Peterbilt 379, has improved visibility thanks to the redesigned headlights, and a SmartNav™ consul that helps make it easy for even newbie drivers to find their way around without needing to take their hands off the wheel. 

As you can see, you have nothing to lose by starting out with this particular truck model. To begin looking for a Peterbilt 389 for sale, you can visit this page to make your search easier.