Video ad for the new Peterbilt 579. Most of my driving career has been in the construction industry, so I haven't spent much time in sleeper berth trucks. The first was an old Merit International 9400i with the 51 inch midroof sleeper. Suffice to say it was plenty cramped. I've also driven the Freightliner Columbia with the 70" double bunk condo, which was pretty spacious, although it didn't make the best use of storage space. The Volvo VNL730 with the midroof sleeper was nice insofar as how storage space was utilized. The Kenworth T2000 I run to Kremmling as a side gig on what's essentially a daycab run seems comparable to the Freightliner condos.
I'm not really thrilled about the flat dash.. to me, it doesn't really present the feel of a "real" truck... but that's where the trend is going, even on the Peterbilts with hoods, so it is what it is. Ultimately, roadworthiness and maintenance matters are of more concern to me. But, if I had to go back to running over-the-road, I could certainly appreciate a truck like this,, probably the Kenworth T680, as well, since this truck appears to be merely a badge engineered version of that one. I do have to say, the amenities are getting nicer. Too bad the industry isn't, and I am more than happy to no longer be a road driver.
Although I'd opt for the Cummins ISX15 over that shitty PACCAR MX engine, any day. And give me a 13 speed... I'm sure the automatics are convenient, but I've never driven one, and don't really want to get into the habit of it. I learned the way I learned how, and that always involved shifting. Not taking the piss out of those who prefer automatics - they're just not for me.