Question:
I saw a Peterbilt 330 yesterday in Baltimore pulling a 48' van. It (the tractor)was equiped with tandem axles. Do you feel that it can handle the job? Max power is 300 HP on a CAt 3126 .Since it was equiped with a tandem axle and was traveling in the industrial section of town, I'm assuming at least 65,000 lbs gross. It did not appear to be struggling.
I'm happy to see that tractors still come in more than one size which, these days seems to be X large and XX large which I don't feel are suitable for rookies. The 330 would seem to have better manuverablilty and visablity--the hood is much smaller than on a 379/8. Best of all it's still a pete with the quality that comes with it.

Answer:
I'll bet that Pete can handle the job just fine. Alot slower on the hills maybe but ok non the less.
I use to go in and out of farmers markets almost daily. I would see every size, type and model of truck still running. For the most part the O/O's coming in and out would have their large cars, Pete 379 extended hoods are the preferred. But on occasion some older cabover or mack would pull in looking very small in front of their trailer. Produce reefer loads are heavy for the most part. They seemed to get the job done.
You'll see the same stuff at TS's. What I always thought was pretty cool was when an old Marmon or AutoCar all decked out would roll in. One old AutoCar had a front plate that said, "Member of Nasty. National Assoc. Of Slow Trucks". Cant remember what the Y stood for if anything.
I do think it was economics. I'll bet most the drivers also wanted a big pete.
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