Advantages of Kenworth Trucks Over Peterbilt & Mack Trucks

ADVANTAGES OF KENWORTH TRUCKS OVER PETERBILT & MACK TRUCKS

When it comes to semis, it’s hard to beat a Kenworth. Their parent company builds some of the highest quality components on the market, and their support network is unsurpassed by any manufacturer. For most owner operators and many fleets, the only competition is Peterbilt and Mack. How does KW stack up against their competitors?

KENWORTH VS PETERBILT

Both brands are manufactured by PACCAR and share a lot of the same components. Most of the differences come down to the coachwork and prices.

– A KW is a Better Value from Purchase to Sale.

With a KW, both the upfront and operating costs are lower. In the end, between Peterbilt and Kenworth, you’ll come out ahead with the KW. Have your heart set on a long nose? Take a look at the new W990.

NARROWER CABS

KW cabs are narrower than Pete’s. While you won’t notice a big space increase if you choose a Pete for OTR trucking, you’ll really notice the KW’s cab in town. Better sight lines, especially on the right side of the truck, make a KW easier to maneuver.

DURABILITY WITHOUT THE COST

Reliability is virtually identical between the two brands. Both Peterbilt and Kenworth models have a strong reputation and there are plenty of people who swear by the W900 and its successor, the W990. You get a quality rig and PACCAR’s legendary support, but you don’t have to pay extra if you go KW.

KENWORTH VS MACK

– Built By the Manufacturer

In the past, Mack Trucks stood out because they built everything in house. Over the years, they’ve farmed out more and more of their components, and even offer Cummins power plants alongside their own MP and SCR engines. Meanwhile, PACCAR is going the other direction, developing their own in-house engines, transmissions and axles to work with their trucks. When you buy a KW, you can get a truck with components that are designed to work together as a whole, giving them the cohesive feel you used to get from the bulldog.

– Better Components for Lower Operating Costs

PACCAR’s maintenance intervals are up to 50% longer on in-house components, and their all-in-one engine, transmission and axle solutions are as much as 500 lbs. lighter. That means better mileage and fewer stops.

– Better Service

Both companies offer remote diagnostics, communicating with nearby dealers to work out what your truck needs when a warning light comes on. This lets the service manager schedule work and get parts ready for when you stop by the dealer. However, KW’s TruckTech+ service goes a step further, putting your fleet service manager in the loop and displaying service information directly on your dash. This saves time arranging and approving repairs, so you can be back on the road sooner.