Western Star Trucks

Western Star Trucks

Type	Subsidiary of Daimler Trucks North America
Industry	Truck Manufacturers
Founded	1967
Headquarters	Fort Mill, United States
Website	www.westernstarstrucks.com

Western Star Trucks is a Fort Mill, South Carolina, United States based manufacturer of Class 8 commercial trucks and a subsidiary of the German Daimler AG.

History

In 1967 White Trucks started the Western Star division as White Western Star with a new plant at Kelowna, British Columbia, sharing headquarters with White in Cleveland, Ohio. By 1980, White was insolvent, despite importing Semon E. "Bunkie" Knudsen, son of General Motors legend Semon Knudsen, and President of Ford Motor Company in 1969–70. Volvo AB acquired the U.S. assets of the company, while two energy-related companies based in Calgary, Alberta, Bow Valley Resource Services and Nova, an Alberta Corp., purchased the Canadian assets, including the Kelowna, British Columbia, plant, and the Western Star nameplate and product range. In 1990 Western Star Trucks was purchased by Australian businessman Terry Peabody, who turned around the company's fortunes over the next 10 years, and in 2000 the company was purchased by the Daimler AG North American truck division, Freightliner.

Models

Western Star produces a range of heavy duty trucks suited to a variety of purposes including semi-trailer, multiple trailer, heavy haulage and tipper-and-dog applications. Both aerodynamic and traditionally styled conventional models are available with the spacious Constellation Series cab, introduced in 1996. This replaced the much smaller Heritage series cab that had been used for several decades in White trucks. A range of sleepers, trim levels, gearboxes, and engines from Cummins, Caterpillar, Detroit Diesel and Mercedes allow buyers to customize their truck to suit their needs.

Model Information

A 1997 Heritage style Western Star

Western Star has four model families:

• 4700
• 4800
• 4900
• 6900

The 4700 Series is a "Vocational" model, mainly used in towing and recovery, construction, and municipal purposes. The 4700 can also be used in mining, light logging, and some oil and gas uses. This model comes in two axle configuration (Set-back, and set-forward). Also available in 4x2 or 6x4 wheel drives.

Configuration: STD 4x2, 6x4

Engine: STD Detroit Diesel DD13 (350-450 hp 1250-1650 lb-ft) OPT Cummins ISC (260-350 hp 1000 lb-ft (max)) OPT Cummins ISL (345-380 hp 1300 lb-ft (max))

Transmission: STD Eaton Fuller 9-, 10-, 11-, 13-, 15- and 18-speed OPT Eaton Fuller UltraShift PLUS OPT Allison Automatic 3000, 3500, 4000 and 4500

Cab Type: STD Standard galvanized steel with bonded windshield OPT Severe Duty galvanized steel with roped-in or bonded windshield

Front Axle: STD Meritor 12,000-20,000 lbs OPT Dana 23,000 lbs OPT Proprietary Axle 12,000-20,000 lbs

Rear Axle: STD Meritor single 21,000, 23,000, 26,000 and 30,000 lbs OPT Meritor tandem 34,000-52,000 lbs

Front Suspension: STD Taper leaf 12,000-23,000 lbs OPT Flat leaf 14,600-23,000 lbs

Rear Suspension: STD AirLiner 21,000-46,000 lbs OPT Hendrickson 40,000-65,000 lbs. OPT Chalmers 40,000-52,000 lbs. OPT TufTrac 40,000-52,000 lbs. OPT Proprietary Spring 23,000, 26,000 and 30,000 lbs

Brakes: STD WABCO 4S/4M and 6S/6M Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with and without traction enhancement

Frame: STD Single Channel: 2.6-3.2 million RBM OPT Dual Channel: 3.7 million RBM OPT Front Frame Extension - splayed 12" and 24"

Fuel Tanks: STD Aluminum 25" cylindrical 60-150 gallon (227-567 liter) - RH OPT Aluminum 25" cylindrical 60-150 gallon (227-567 liter) - LH OPT Steel rectangular 50-60 gallon (189-227 liter)

DEF Tank: STD 6 and 13 gallon (23 and 49 liter)

The 4800 Model Series is widely used by the Highway Dept. and it also has the same uses as the 4700 model, just a more power. It's highway (On-road) uses are as a "bulk-hauler"; meaning a non-tractor-trailer combo. For example: A tanker with the tank attached to the chassis or the cab.

Configuration: STD 4x2, 6x4 OPT 4x4, 6x6 (all wheel drive)

Engine: STD Detroit Diesel DD13 (350-450 hp 1250-1650 lb-ft)

Transmission: STD Eaton Fuller FR-13210B (7, 10, 11, 13, 15 and 18-speed) OPT Eaton Fuller AutoShift/UltraShift OPT Allison Automatic

Cab Type: STD Standard Galvanized Steel with roped in windshield OPT Severe Duty Galvanized Steel with bonded windshield

Front Axle: STD Meritor 12,000-23,000 lbs.

Rear Axle: STD Single through tridem, from 23,000 to 77,000 lbs

Front Suspension: STD Taperleaf 12,000-20,000 lbs. OPT Flatleaf 14,600-21,500 lbs.

Rear Suspension: STD Rear suspension from AirLiner, Hendrickson, Chalmers, Neway, Reyco and TufTrac with ratings from 21,000 through 78,000 lbs

Brakes: STD WABCO 4S/4M and 6S/6M Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with and without traction enhancement

Frame: STD Single-channel 2.5 million RBM OPT Double-channel 3.2 million RBM OPT Double-channel 4.5 million RBM OPT Triple-channel 5.6 million RBM OPT Partial frame liners available for increased RBM in specific areas. See dealer for details.

Fuel Tanks: STD Aluminum 25" cylindrical 60-150 gallon (227-567 liter) - RH OPT Aluminum 25" cylindrical 60-150 gallon (227-567 liter) - LH OPT Aluminum 23" cylindrical 50 to 150 gallon (189-567 liter) - RH OPT Aluminum 23" cylindrical 50 to 150 gallon (189-567 liter) - LH OPT Combination fuel/hydraulic tanks available in various sizes

DEF Tank: STD 6, 13, 23 gallon (23, 49, 87 liter)

The next model in the Western Star line up is the most common of the four: The 4900 model. This model is mostly used for highway (long haul) uses. It can also be adapted for auto hauling, bulk hauling, and heavy hauling. The vocational uses consist of construction, mining, logging, oil and gas, towing and recovery, and municipal uses.

4900 EX (EXTENDED HOOD)

BBC: STD 132"

Wheelbase: STD Up to 448"

Configuration: STD 4x2, 6x4

Engine: STD Detroit Diesel DD13 (350-450 hp 1250-1650 lb-ft) OPT Detroit Diesel DD15 (455-560 hp 1550-1850 lb-ft) OPT Detroit Diesel DD16 (475-600 hp 1750-2050 lb-ft) OPT Cummins ISX15 (400-600 hp 2050 lb-ft (max)) OPT DDC Series 60 Tier III (425-500 hp 1475-1550 lb-ft)

Transmission: STD Eaton Fuller FR-13210B (7, 10, 11, 13, 15 and 18-speed) OPT Eaton Fuller AutoShift/UltraShift OPT Allison Automatic

Cab Type: STD Standard Galvanized Steel with roped in windshield OPT Severe Duty Galvanized Steel with bonded windshield

Hood: STD Fiberglass Traditional Non-Sloping Hood

Front Axle: STD Meritor 12,000-23,000 lbs.

Rear Axle: STD Single through tridem, from 23,000 to 77,000 lbs

Front Suspension: STD Taperleaf 12,000-20,000 lbs. OPT Flatleaf 14,600-21,500 lbs.

Rear Suspension: STD Rear suspension from AirLiner, Hendrickson, Chalmers, Neway, Reyco and TufTrac with ratings from 21,000 through 78,000 lbs

Brakes: STD WABCO 4S/4M and 6S/6M Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with and without traction enhancement

Frame: STD Single-channel 2.5 million RBM OPT Double-channel 3.2 million RBM OPT Double-channel 4.5 million RBM OPT Triple-channel 5.6 million RBM OPT Partial frame liners available for increased RBM in specific areas. See dealer for details.

Fuel Tanks: STD Aluminum 25" cylindrical 60-150 gallon (227-567 liter) - RH OPT Aluminum 25" cylindrical 60-150 gallon (227-567 liter) - LH OPT Aluminum 23" cylindrical 50 to 150 gallon (189-567 liter) - RH OPT Aluminum 23" cylindrical 50 to 150 gallon (189-567 liter) - LH OPT Combination fuel/hydraulic tanks available in various sizes

DEF Tank: STD 6, 13, 23 gallon (23, 49, 87 liter)

4900 TS (TWIN STEER)

BBC: STD 123"

Wheelbase: STD Up to 448"

Configuration: STD 8x4

Engine: STD Detroit Diesel DD13 (350-450 hp 1250-1650 lb-ft) OPT Detroit Diesel DD15 (455-560 hp 1550-1850 lb-ft) OPT Detroit Diesel DD16 (475-600 hp 1750-2050 lb-ft) OPT Cummins ISX15 (400-600 hp 2050 lb-ft (max))

Transmission: STD Eaton Fuller Manual OPT Allison Automatic

Cab Type: STD Severe Duty Galvanized Steel with bonded windshield

Hood: STD Fiberglass Traditional Non-Sloping Hood

Front Axle: STD Tandem 40,000-44,000 lbs

Rear Axle: STD Tandem 46,000-70,000 lbs OPT Tri-Axle 69,000 lbs

Front Suspension: STD Slippered 36,000 lbs OPT Slippered 40,000 lbs OPT Slippered 44,000 lbs

Rear Suspension: STD Tandem 46,000-65,000 lbs OPT Tridem Air Ride 69,000 lbs

Brakes: STD WABCO 4S/4M and 6S/6M Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with and without traction enhancement

Frame: STD Double-channel 3.2 million RBM OPT Double-channel 4.5 million RBM

Fuel Tanks: STD Aluminum 25" cylindrical 60-150 gallon (227-567 liter) - RH OPT Aluminum 25" cylindrical 60-150 gallon (227-567 liter) - LH

DEF Tank: STD 23 gallons (87 liters)

4900 XD (EXTREME DUTY)

BBC: STD 123"

Wheelbase: STD Up to 448"

Configuration: STD 4x2, 6x4 OPT 4x4, 6x6 (all wheel drive)

Engine: STD Detroit Diesel DD13 (350-450 hp 1250-1650 lb-ft) OPT Detroit Diesel DD15 (455-560 hp 1550-1850 lb-ft) OPT Detroit Diesel DD16 (475-600 hp 1750-2050 lb-ft) OPT Cummins ISX15 (400-600 hp 2050 lb-ft (max)) OPT DDC Series 60 Tier III (425-500 hp 1475-1550 lb-ft)

Transmission: STD Eaton Fuller FR-13210B (10, 11, 13, 15 and 18-speed) OPT Eaton Fuller AutoShift/UltraShift OPT Allison Automatic

Cab Type: STD Standard Galvanized Steel with roped in windshield OPT Severe Duty Galvanized Steel with bonded windshield

Hood: STD Three-piece butterfly hood

Front Axle: STD Meritor 12,000-23,000 lbs.

Rear Axle: STD Single through tri-axle, from 23,000 to 77,000 lbs

Front Suspension: STD Taperleaf 12,000-20,000 lbs. OPT Flatleaf 14,600-21,500 lbs.

Rear Suspension: STD Rear suspension from AirLiner, Hendrickson, Chalmers, Neway, Reyco and TufTrac with ratings from 21,000 through 78,000 lbs

Brakes: STD WABCO 4S/4M and 6S/6M Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with and without traction enhancement

Frame: STD Single-channel 2.5 million RBM OPT Double-channel 3.2 million RBM OPT Double-channel 4.5 million RBM OPT Triple-channel 5.6 million RBM OPT Partial frame liners available for increased RBM in specific areas. See dealer for details.

Fuel Tanks: STD Aluminum 25" cylindrical 60-150 gallon (227-567 liter) - RH OPT Aluminum 25" cylindrical 60-150 gallon (227-567 liter) - LH OPT Aluminum 23" cylindrical 50 to 150 gallon (189-567 liter) - RH OPT Aluminum 23" cylindrical 50 to 150 gallon (189-567 liter) - LH OPT Combination fuel/hydraulic tanks available in various sizes

DEF Tank: STD 6, 13, 23 gallon (23, 49, 87 liter)

Last but not least is the big daddy of the Western Star trucks: the 6900. The highway use is as a heavy hauler, and the vocational uses are the same as the 4900, minus the municipal use. The specs are the just about the same as the Extreme Duty 4900, so I will not list them.

• Stratosphere Star Light Sleepers, introduced in 1997, make use of aircraft inspired composite aluminum wall/plastic-honeycomb-core wall and floor panels to reduce weight while maintaining strength.

Canadian Forces LSVW light truck

Western Star of Canada produced a licensed version of the Iveco VM 90 for the Canadian Forces during the 1990s, LSVW.

External links

• Western Star
• Australian Western Star Trucks