Peterbilt 386 – specifications

The six-cylinder diesel engine of 12.9 litres drives a vehicle 8,450 mm long and 2,510 mm wide on six wheels. With a kerb weight of 9,102 kg and a gross vehicle weight of 21,773 kg, the payload comes to about 12,671 kg, on a wheelbase of 6,400 mm, giving the tractor a balanced footprint for a sleeper-cab combination.

With a gross vehicle weight of nearly 22 tonnes, the vehicle falls into class N3. The comparatively compact 12.9-litre displacement, next to larger units, points to a newer generation of diesel engines with higher torque relative to weight. Six wheels correspond to the two- or three-axle layout typical of highway tractors.

When buying such a tractor, it is worth checking the fifth wheel, frame and suspension, as well as the condition of the sleeper cab and its air conditioning, which sees heavy use on long-haul vehicles. Engine mileage and the service history of the exhaust treatment system deserve particular attention on a vehicle of this type, as does the condition of the tyres and suspension after years of running at full load on long routes.