Peterbilt Unveils New Sleeper Design

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Joe Howard, Transport Topics  /  February 15, 2018

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Peterbilt Motors Co. has introduced a new sleeper design that offers improved aerodynamics, is available in single-and double-bunk designs, and was designed with input from drivers, the company said here.

The Peterbilt Model 579 UltraLoft features an 80-inch integrated sleeper that returns a 2% improvement in aerodynamics over the company’s current detachable sleeper, said Peterbilt chief engineer Scott Newhouse in an interview with Transport Topics. Newhouse and other Peterbilt executives were on hand at a Feb. 15 press event here to unveil the new sleeper.

Several design features contribute to those gains, including the windshield visor, which has an air foil design, and 18-inch extenders on each side of the sleeper to guide air along the side of the truck, said Wesley Slavin, Peterbilt’s marketing manager for on-highway products. These aerodynamic improvements also help reduce cabin noise, Newhouse noted.

Inside, the sleeper’s design was aided by input from drivers, said Peterbilt general manager Kyle Quinn. “We worked with them on what did work and what didn’t work,” he said during a presentation. “We listened to our customers.”

Quinn told TT that the company employed “human-centered design” to glean input from drivers. This four-step process allowed Peterbilt to watch people use their products, then take what it learned to brainstorm ideas. From there, it built prototypes and then showed those prototypes to users to gather reactions. Quinn said Peterbilt has been using this process since about 2010, and noted that it is becoming a more common method of development for businesses.

“A lot of companies today are using various forms of what would be referred to as human-centered design,” he said. “The whole idea is to understand your user.”

Newhouse told TT that Peterbilt worked with its customer council to bring in drivers that could test various features during development.

“As they saw things, they would tell us, and we would make modifications,” he said. “They ultimately became the designers.”

From this work, Peterbilt placed a priority on including multiple and easily accessible power outlets in the UltraLoft so drivers can keep their electronic devices charged up. There are 12-volt, 110-volt and USB ports available on a panel on the driver’s side of the lower bunk, and this panel is duplicated on the upper bunk in double-bunk models, Newhouse said.

And those bunks can accommodate many drivers; the mattress on the bottom bunk is 85 inches in length, long enough for a seven foot tall individual, he said. The upper bunk has an 82-inch mattress. The UltraLoft also features a new HVAC system that increases air flow in the upper and lower bunks, and a foldaway ladder to help with accessing the upper bunk, Newhouse said.

Slavin added that storage bins above the driver and passenger doors are new with the UltraLoft. He noted that the sleeper also has a closet with 42 inches of hanging space to accommodate larger shirts, and an upper shelf in dual-bunk models that can hold two CPAP machines for drivers with sleep apnea.

The UltraLoft is available for ordering now, and production is slated to begin this summer, Peterbilt said.

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Peterbilt Unveils Model 579 UltraLoft Integrated Sleeper Truck

Heavy Duty Trucking  /  February 15, 2018

Peterbilt has introduced its new Model 579 UltraLoft, an integrated high-loft sleeper truck designed to give driver teams and solo truck drivers extra space and amenities, with a fuel efficiency boost as well.

Unveiling the new truck to reporters in Scottsdale, Arizona, Peterbilt officials explained that the latest addition to the company’s on-highway lineup was developed with extensive driver input and feedback.

"The 80-inch integrated UltraLoft sleeper provides plenty of space for drivers who spend multiple weeks on the road or for team drivers," said Peterbilt Chief Engineer Scott Newhouse, adding that it’s ideal for driver trainer operations as the industry struggles with a shortage of experienced truck drivers.

Inside the Sleeper

A new HVAC system increases air flow to both upper and lower bunks. A fold-away ladder makes it easy to climb to the upper bunk, and there’s enough height between the upper and lower bunk that a driver can sit upright in the lower bunk without hitting his or her head.

And those bunks are the largest available, according to Peterbilt. With the sleeper built on the wider 2.1-meter cab platform of the Model 579, the bunks are 85 inches long on the lower one and 82 on the upper, with the lower bunk 42 inches wide and the upper bunk 36 inches wide.

Single-bunk configurations provide 70 cubic feet of storage, with 64 in the double bunk. A split upper bunk design allows for another 14 cubic feet of storage; the forward portion flips up to create a secure, clean storage space for items when it’s not being used as a bed.

A large wardrobe offers 42 inch-long hanging space for long shirts and jackets. Large storage areas above the cabinets on both the driver and passenger side are large enough to store two CPAP machines for treating sleep apnea if needed, with the storage open to the rear so it’s easily accessed from the upper bunk .

And there’s easily accessible power ports, with 12-volt, 110-volt and USB power ports located in the panel right behind the driver’s seat. When you have an upper bunk, it’s duplicated so that driver has the same power access without having to run extension cords and the like. There’s also a slide-out table on the driver’s side for working or eating.

It offers space to accommodate a 1.1-cubic-foot microwave oven and enough room to fit a 32-inch flat screen TV in the lower bunk.

In the front of the cab, noted Newhouse, there’s plenty of headroom as you transfer from the driver’s seat to the sleeper, as well as more storage, with the addition of cubbies above the driver and passenger doors.

Fuel Economy Improvements

The UltraLoft also provides an estimated 2% aerodynamic improvement while maintaining the styling of the Model 579. The new sun visor acts as an aerodynamic airfoil, explained Wesley Slavin, marketing manager, on-highway products. “As the wind goes over the sun visor, it creates a low pressure zone and almost tries to pull the cab forward.”

At the same time, Slavin said, the sculpted aerodynamic roof maintains the look of the Model 579.

The 579 UltraLoft is available for order now and production is scheduled to begin in July.

Robert Woodall, assistant general manager of sales and marketing, told HDT that the new Model 579 UlraLoft will allow Peterbilt “to grow into fleets we’ve never been able to sell into,” who want that kind of big, open sleeper for their drivers.

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[Lmackattack]

looks like a cascadia???? not a fan of that truck. Sleeper looks all plastic as well... that will be a squeaky ride after it rattles itself louse

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Peterbilt Motors Press Release  / February 15, 2018

Peterbilt announces the new Model 579 UltraLoft Cab-Sleeper featuring increased interior space and improved fuel economy with Peterbilt styling.

Visit us at www.peterbilt.com.

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Peterbilt Delivers its First Model 579 UltraLoft

Heavy Duty Trucking (HDT)  /  July 9, 2018

Peterbilt has delivered the keys to the first owner of a new Model 579 UltraLoft after announcing the model earlier this year.

Purchased for Oklahoma City-based Freymiller Trucking, the UltraLoft variant of Peterbilt’s flagship Model 579 features a high roof integral cab and sleeper design that prioritizes driver comfort. Designed for a better driver experience, the UltraLoft offers more room and storage than a typical 579 with a larger upper and lower bunk mattress and sleeping area and creature comforts such as a microwave and room for up to a 32-inch flat screen TV.

The UltraLoft also features aerodynamic enhancements and reduced weight in order to improve overall efficiency.

David Freymiller, president and CEO of Freymiller Trucking noted that his fleet was using the Peterbilt truck as a tool to retain and recruit drivers.  “The Model 579 UltraLoft is a game changer as it takes it to a new level,” said Freymiller. “Our drivers are excited to take advantage of the increased space and premium cab design.”

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