Peterbilt is one of the most popular semi-truck brands. They are well-known for building high-quality trucks that are reliable and perform exceptionally well.
However, most people are not familiar with long and short nose Peterbilt semi-trucks, and more importantly, they don’t know how it affects their semi-truck.
If you want to know more about one of the most popular semi-truck brands on the market, read on to find out.
Table of Contents
Differences in Length between a Long Nose VS Short Nose Peterbilt:
| Model | Short Hood Length | Long Hood Length |
| 579 | 118” | 124” |
| 389 | 119” | 127” |
| 567 | 115” | 121” |
| 367 | 123” | 131” |
| 365 | N/A | N/A |
| 548 | 107” | 109” |
| 537 | 107” | 109” |
| 536 | 107” | 109” |
| 535 | 107” | 109” |
What is a Short Nose Peterbilt?
A short nose Peterbilt is the ‘standard’ version of the semi-truck. The hood is a standard size measured from the bumper to the back of the cab (also known as the BBC measurement).
The short nose Peterbilt is still a popular option, and many drivers prefer It to the longer hood. Several factors make a short nose Peterbilt different from a long nose Peterbilt, which we will cover at a later stage.
Short hood Peterbilt semi-trucks are usually less than 120″ in their BBC measurement/ However. It varies between the different models.
What is a Long Nose Peterbilt?
A long hood Peterbilt semi-truck has a longer hood than the standard version. This is an option you can choose when ordering our semi-truck.
Some drivers prefer the long hood. However, others complain about several drawbacks to driving a long nose Peterbilt.
Long nose Peterbilt trucks are usually more than 120″ in their BBC, and the longest Peterbilt hood is 131″ on the 367.
What is an Extended Hood Peterbilt?
Peterbilt’s extended hood is simply another name used for Peterbilt’s long nose. One identifying characteristic is that the hood is flat at the top, whereas the short nose has a noticeable slope.
Extended hoods were originally used to accommodate larger engines. However, they have caught on and are still used nowadays, even though we don’t need larger engines to produce more horsepower.
Do all Peterbilt Models come in a Long and Short Nose?
Not all Peterbilt models are available with the option of a long or short hood. Some Peterbilt models have a fat hood, mainly where this option is not available.
However, some other models that do have a conventional hood also aren’t given the option of being ordered with a short or long nose.
All Peterbilt models with short nose
- 536-2021-present
- 537-2021-present
- 548-2021-present
- 365-2007-present
- 367-2007-present
- 389-2006-present
- 389K-2006-present
- 537-2021-present
- 548-2021-present
- 567-2015-present
- 579-2012-present
- 349-1980-1987
- 357-1987-2005
- 362-1981-2005
- 375-1987-2005
- 377-1986-2000
- 378-1986-2007
- 379-1987-2007
- 379x-1987-2007
- 384-2007
- 385-1996-2007
- 587-2010-2016
- 330-2007-2021
- 337-2009-2021
- 348-2009-2021
All Peterbilt models with long nose
- 536-2021-present
- 537-2021-present
- 548-2021-present
- 365-2007-present
- 367-2007-present
- 389-2006-present
- 389K-2006-present
- 537-2021-present
- 548-2021-present
- 567-2015-present
- 579-2012-present
- 357-1987-2005
- 375-1987-2005
- 377-1986-2000
- 378-1986-2007
- 379-1987-2007
- 379x-1987-2007
- 385-1996-2007
- 386-2005-2015
- 387-1999-2010
- 388-2006-2015
Long nose vs Short Nose Peterbilt
There are some key differences between the long nose and short nose versions of Peterbilt semi-trucks that you should take note of.
Ultimately, these factors will influence your decision on which version of the Peterbilt semi-truck you want to buy.
Size
The first notable difference is in the size of the semi-truck. There is a difference between the long and short nose versions, even if just a few inches.
However, from inside the Peterbilt cockpit, it makes a big difference. Many drivers complain of worse visibility in a long nose Peterbilt than a short nose.
From the outside, the difference can be difficult to spot at first. However, if you put the two side by side, it is clear which one has a long nose and a short one.
Aesthetics
There is a big difference in the aesthetics of the two different versions of Peterbilt semi-trucks. However, there is a division over which is better.
It mostly comes down to personal opinion on which version of the semi-truck looks better. There are arguments for both sides.
Aside from the apparent longer hood, the long nose Peterbilt is different aesthetically in that the hood is flat on top.
On the other hand, the short nose Peterbilt has a sloped hood. This is a very notable difference between the two versions.
Maneuverability
The longer nose has a hugely detrimental effect on the maneuverability of a Peterbilt semi-truck. Short nose semi-trucks handle much better.
The longer nose causes the semi-truck to have a much wider turning circle. This makes the semi-truck even more difficult to maneuver in the city and in tight spaces.
Parking becomes especially difficult with a long nose Peterbilt as the lack of handling and poor visibility make it a challenge.
The short nose semi-truck has a much smaller turning radius and is much easier to maneuver, especially in tight spaces.
Maintainability
Long nose Peterbilt semi-trucks are easier to maintain. Thus, if you do your maintenance, this could be an important factor.
They are easier to maintain because there is a significant amount of extra room inside the hood, making them easier to work on.
Since engines do not differ much in their actual size, the longer hood leaves some extra space convenient for maintenance.
However, you shouldn’t expect that this will mean cheaper maintenance costs if you take it to a mechanic.
Most Power
The length of the hood does not affect the power output of the engine. The power difference depends on the engine in the semi-truck.
However, the long hood Peterbilt semi-truck is slightly heavier than the short nose, which can impact the acceleration and top speed if they have the same engine due to power to weight ratio.
Cost
There is a slight difference in the price between the two variations of Peterbilt semi-trucks. The short nose semi-truck is slightly cheaper.
This is mainly due to fewer materials constructing the shorter hood. Again though, it is a slight difference.
Mileage
The short nose Peterbilt semi-truck has been reported to have better fuel efficiency than the long nose version.
This could be because it is more aerodynamic because of the sloped hood. The extra weight of the long nose semi-truck could also be less fuel-efficient.
Resale value
The long nose Peterbilt semi-truck is known to have the best resale value. This could come down to several different factors.
The first is the aesthetics of the semi-truck. Many drivers prefer the look of the longer hood. This makes the long nose semi-truck more desirable. On the other hand, it could also be because the long nose Peterbilt is generally more expensive than its short nose counterpart
Can you Easily Spot the Difference Between the Two?
It can be easy to spot the difference between the short nose and long nose Peterbilt semi-trucks, even if they’re not standing right beside each other.
The most notable difference is that the long nose Peterbilt semi-truck has a flat hood, whereas the short nose version has a sloped hood.
You may also notice that the wheel arches differ on both of these semi-trucks. If the fenders on the wheel arches come right up to the front of the cab (door panel), then it’s a short nose Peterbilt.
On the other hand, the long nose Peterbilt has a bit more distance between the fenders and the door panel and has a foot panel underneath the door.
Which is More Popular Long or Short Nose?
It can be hard to tell which of the two variations is the most popular. It comes down to personal preference, as each has its benefits and drawbacks.
Many people like to aesthetic of the long hood semi-truck. However, they find it uncomfortable to drive due to maneuverability and visibility.
The driver who prefers the ease of access and handling of a semi-truck over its looks will choose Peterbilt’s short nose.