Sterling rolls out new class 3-5 cabover line

ATLANTA — Sterling Truck has unveiled its new low cab-over-engine truck — the Sterling 360.

Introduced at the NTEA Work Truck Show, the Sterling 360 design allows for leading fuel economy in a low cab-over-engine truck as well as the industry’s easiest entry and egress, biggest cab, outstanding maneuverability and visibility, and a body builder-preferred design, the company says.

The Sterling 360 offers a complete, value-added package including expert customer support, easy financing, and body upfitting options.

“As we welcome the new Sterling 360 to the product family, we also strengthen our commitment to the growth of the brand,” said John Merrifield, senior vice-president of distribution for the Freightliner Group. “Sterling is now the only truck OEM to offer customers a full line of Class 3-8 vehicles, which allows us to reach a wider customer base and provides us with a platform for future product introductions.”

The 360 will be available at select Sterling dealers across North America. Classes 4 and 5 will be rolled out in spring 2006 and Class 3 in mid-2007.

Ideal for applications such as wholesale and retail services, pickup and delivery, landscaping, and construction applications, the Sterling 360 is available with all the necessary configurations for popular body options like dry van, reefer, and stake applications.

It includes: 4.9L turbo diesel engine with 175hp at 2700 rpm and 391 lbs.-ft. of torque at 1600 rpm; six -speed automatic transmission with final reduction gear ratio of 5.285; GVWRs of 14,050 lbs., 14,500 lbs., and 17,995 lbs.

Wheelbase and body length combinations of 115 inches and 12 feet; 134 inches and 14 feet; 152 inches and 16 feet; 164 inches (at 14,500 and 17,995 GVWR only) and 18 feet; and 176 inches and 20 feet (17,995 GVWR only)

Leading Fuel Economy

In tests conducted at an independent third-party testing facility, Transportation Research Center (TRC) Inc., the Sterling 360 has proven to have leading fuel economy in a low cab-over-engine truck, the truckmaker says.

Assuming that a customer drives a pick-up and delivery truck with a dry van box, travels 20,000 miles a year on average, and pays $2.50 per gallon of diesel fuel, Merrifield says the truck adds up to a savings of $600 a year or more over competitive models.

Easy Entry/Egress

With drivers in delivery applications getting in and out of their vehicle numerous times a day, the design of the Sterling 360 provides the easiest entry and egress in the LCOE truck industry. Featuring a door width one inch wider than the market leader, a larger and more ergonomic step position, and a 73-degree door pivot, the Sterling 360 offers the convenience and protection demanded for curbside pick-up and delivery.

Assuring that drivers can effortlessly “walk” into the cab and ease in directly under the steering wheel, the Sterling 360 features an 11.75-inch distance from step to cab, which is up to 4.25 inches less than competitive designs. Offset hinges also allow full access to the larger door opening.

The truck also boasts one of the largest cabs in its class. With more than 90 cubic feet of cab volume, the 360 comfortably seating three, and also allows the driver to pass through the cab and exit curbside for added safety and convenience.

Maneuverability and Visibility

It wasn’t named the 360 for nothing. Whether on a crowded urban street or an inner-city construction site, the truck features an impressive wheel cut angle for a tighter turning radius and large windshield and windows for front and side visibility, the company says.

As for visibility, the roof has a transverse channel behind the clearance and ID lamps to channel water to the sides. Additional runoff is diverted by the drip rail molded to the top of the windshield gasket, providing better vision under adverse weather conditions.

Body Builder Preferred Frame

Just like the other trucks in Sterling’s product line-up — the A-Line, L-Line, Acterra and Cargo — the Sterling 360 is body builder.

For easy upfitting, the truck’s shorter cab-to-body clearance of 4.5 inches allows for longer bodies with more load carrying capacity and a greater range of body mount positions for optimum weight distribution and reduced wind resistance. Additionally, with 300 pounds less curb weight than comparable models, the Sterling 360 carries more payload.

As opposed to a tapered frame, the Sterling 360 is built with a stronger, straight configuration made from steel rated at 51,200 psi.

The parallel top and bottom flanges make it easier to mount bodies, and since it’s painted both before and after assembly. Similar to a Class 8 design, the straight frame also makes wheelbase changes simple because all components can easily be slid to a new location. Plus, the fuel tanks, batteries, fuel lines, exhaust systems, crossmembers, and wiring are all efficiently tucked away and routed for easy maintenance, says Sterling.

Customers can also visit Sterling’s new Sterling 360 Web site at www.BetterAllAroundTruck.com.