Kenworth unveils flagship sleeper

Kenworth has pulled the covers off a new 1400mm aero sleeper, the new format effectively competing the new 2.1-metre-wide cab range that launched in late 2016 with the release of the T610 and T610 SAR.

The new cab – now the biggest offered by Kenworth Australia – was unveiled last week at the launch of the new Kenworth T410 and T360 models, which were shown to the nation's truck and transport media ahead of Australian and New Zealand Kenworth dealers at the Australian Automotive Research Centre (AARC) in Anglesea, Victoria.

On display at AARC in a T610 model with single trailer, the 1400mm sleeper is big enough to accommodate a king-single innerspring mattress, in addition to having masses of storage space and a raft of driver-friendly features, many of which were previously only available through a custom aftermarket fit-out.

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According to PACCAR Australia's Director, Sales and Marketing, Brad May, the new sleeper offers a sublime level of comfort for linehaul drivers who spend plenty of time away from home.

"This is an awesome sleeper that I think gives us the best sleeper in the market," May told the assembled media in Anglesea.

"This is a big sleeper with lots of opportunity, and with lots of options in there for drivers: a king single mattress, smaller mattresses, stand-up fridges, non-stand-up fridges, storage any way you like it – this will be the ultimate driver's truck in the applications that can work with this length," he said.

"The core of the T610 project was about building a bigger cab to create the ultimate driver environment, which leads to better all-round driving performance, safety, efficiency and productivity.

"The 1400mm sleeper cab option allows maximum living space for our customers whose applications allow it. The aero roof allows freedom of movement with full height standing room between the seats – and a fantastic bunk as standard that allows a quality well-earned sleep for drivers."

The 1400mm sleeper on show had a single mattress and masses of room, from the full-standing-height head lining that will easily accommodate drivers in excess of 190cm tall, to a large hanging cupboard, smaller drawers and multifunction panels with optional 240-volt power point, 12-volt socket, USB port, climate control, LED reading light, LCD clock and more.

Kenworth says it's "the most spacious sleeper in the Kenworth range", and comes with more interior space and in-cab standing room than its 50-inch predecessor. A 790mm innerspring mattress is standard while the optional king single is 300mm wider. The upper bunk, if fitted, is now 100mm wider than in the 50-inch sleeper.

It's all finished in Kenworth's traditional diamond-pleat trim and offers a veritable 'home away from home' for drivers on the road.

While stopping short of mentioning any timeline, May inferred that the 1400mm aero sleeper – while initially available only for models designed to accept the new 2.1-metre cab platform – would eventually filter through to the Kenworth models traditionally associated with road train applications.

"At 1400mm I guess this sleeper gives us limited opportunities outside of road trains because of its length, but with single trailers and as and when this product rolls out to other models that are in those road trains – and don't ask me when, because [at present] there is no plan – it will allow us to be dimensionally correct and prepared with an awesome sleeper."

The sleeper effectively completes Kenworth's new 2.1m-wide cab range, which now spans five variants: a day cab, along with sleepers in 600mm aero, 760mm mid-roof, 860mm aero and now 1400mm aero formats.

Originally released in the T610 in day cab and 860mm sleeper configurations, the range expanded mid-2018 with the 760mm mid-roof, and then backed up by the compact 600mm aero sleeper later that year.

May said the 600mm was a response to the current trend towards shuttle-type road freight, where high-utilisation trucks were run between two or more points with drivers hopping in and out at either end or points along the way.

"It allows you to put a sleeper in front of a full-length, 34-pallet B-double trailer set, with a bullbar, inside 26 metres – providing us [Kenworth] with another opportunity for the market other than a cabover product," he said.

"And you might say 'That's a tiny little sleeper', but because of the high roof design in a 2.1 cab, you will be gobsmacked when you see how much room is in there.

"Remember, this is not a truck that's designed for the owner-driver or guys that live in the truck day in, day out. This is a truck that's got drivers jumping in and out of it who need an occasional rest, who need to manage their fatigue as required. So it's not about having a massive expanse of bed, it's about having a bed, with comfort."

Along with a range of new Kenworth products, including the new T410 and T360, the 1400mm sleeper cab will be on hand at the Kenworth stand at the upcoming Brisbane Truck Show, to be held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre over May 16-19.