Kenworth W900
Built: 1961 · Series: W9 Series
More machines from model year 1961
Not the right version? The data comes from vehicle registers holding many near-identical versions side by side. Photograph the data plate — we read make and type from it. Open the scanner e-mail address required
Kenworth W900 Series – the icon of the American long-nose semi tractor: six- to twelve-cylinder engines from 266 to 317 kW, gross weights up to 26 tonnes
The W900 is Kenworth's classic long-nose semi tractor, built in essentially unchanged basic form since 1961 and, alongside the Peterbilt 379, the embodiment of American long-haul trucking. Kenworth has belonged to the PACCAR group since 1945 and builds the W900 at its Chillicothe, Ohio plant; the A, B and L suffixes in model designations such as W900A, W900B and W900L mark successive equipment generations, with L denoting an extended bonnet.
Read on 3 more paragraphs
The register lists 13 versions with six- to twelve-cylinder engines from 266.5 to 317 kW and 14,000 to 15,365 cm³, kerb weights from 7,780 to 16,580 kg, gross vehicle weights from 11,990 to 26,000 kg, lengths from 7,840 to 9,300 mm and widths from 2,400 to 2,550 mm.
The W900 is common in US and Canadian long-haul trucking and heavy haulage, and its classic looks, with visible exhaust stacks and a long bonnet, also make it prized as a show truck and basis for custom builds; it competes directly with the Peterbilt 389 and the Freightliner Classic.
When buying used, check engine mileage and service history on the diesel, the condition of the clutch and gearbox, frame cracks around the fifth-wheel area, and on older examples corrosion of the cab. Engine and driveline parts are well supported through the PACCAR and Kenworth dealer network in North America.
Sources: SpecCodex register, model data: Kenworth W9 Series, Kenworth (manufacturer)
Technical data
Engine
| Engine | Cummins, Paccar MX, Caterpillar, Detroit Dieselcorrect |
|---|---|
| Cylinders | 6correct |
Dimensions and weights
| Length | 8,380 mmcorrect |
|---|---|
| Width | 2,510 mmcorrect |
| Wheelbase | 6,760 mmcorrect |
| Unladen weight | 16,580 kgcorrect |
| Gross vehicle weight | 23,800 kgcorrect |
Drivetrain and chassis
| Wheels | 10correct |
|---|
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Kenworth W900 weigh?
The unladen weight is 16,580 kg.
What is the gross vehicle weight of the Kenworth W900?
23,800 kg.
What engine does the Kenworth W900 have?
6 cylinders.
What are the dimensions of the Kenworth W900?
8,380 mm × 2,510 mm.
When was the Kenworth W900 built?
Production years: 1961.
What to check before buying
- Check the hour meter against the service records — a replaced instrument is the most common gap.
- Compare the data plate and chassis number with the papers.
- Check the weights in the papers against the figures here — attachments change them.
- Ask about parts availability for this build year — the running costs hang on it.
A general list for this type of machine — no substitute for an inspection or an appraiser.
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This page carries 10 individual figures for this model. They come from 3 recorded sources; every figure can be traced there. What we cannot document is not here — we leave gaps open rather than estimate them.
The technical data on this page comes from official vehicle registration records (RDW/Traficom), not from the manufacturer.
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Other models in this series
Sources: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) (retrieved August 2026) · RDW — Dutch national vehicle register (retrieved August 2026) · Values adopted and presented in our own form; changes from the source are possible. · How we check the data
Truck in 3D section
Turn the model, look inside and click an assembly — each one is explained.
