An LNG day-cab proposal
One dated order records a short-wheelbase LNG tractor; it does not describe every 386.
Peterbilt 386 order proposal Q33999581 · May 4, 2009 · one LNG day-cab example ↗
THE ARCHIVED HIGHWAY FILE
Peterbilt
386 family
Compare a factory cab drawing with a separately dated LNG day-cab order example.
01 / FIND YOUR REFERENCE
Choose a reference edition
Start with the model configuration, then choose a publication and explore its documented equipment.
Catalogue reference
Selecting equipment records your research choice. It does not calculate dimensions, establish an available combination or rate a truck.
About this edition & its evidence
March 2015 · Rev A. Factory reference drawing of the cab and hood. The representative sleeper artwork is not this day-cab build. The drawing’s frame-relative 81.4 in cab height is not ground-to-roof height.
Peterbilt body-builder manual · March 2015 Rev A · figure 3-3, page 3-5 ↗
DIMENSION GUIDE / A–H
Precision visual reference
Select a measurement to highlight its endpoints and see what the chosen publication confirms.
Peterbilt 386 · 386 cab / hood reference · March 2015 body-builder drawing · 3 published / 5 to verify
Published value Needs verificationSchematic · not to scale
A / SIDE VIEW
Bumper to back of cab (BBC)
Front bumper to the back of the driving cab. Excludes an additional sleeper; it is not overall tractor length.
126.4 in3,211 mm
Published for this reference; confirm the individual build.
Figure 3-3: driving cab only; no sleeper extension.
Original illustrative views; not to scale, a certified drawing or a selected-build rendering. Endpoints explain the measurements. Published values come from the cited reference, never from the image.
Selected reference: Peterbilt body-builder manual · March 2015 Rev A · figure 3-3, page 3-5. Published values remain tied to this edition.
View the complete dimension table ↓02 / THE MEASUREMENTS
Published dimensions
386 cab / hood reference · March 2015 body-builder drawing
| Measurement | Reference value | Scope / how to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Bumper to back of cab (BBC) | 126.4 in3,211 mm | Figure 3-3: driving cab only; no sleeper extension.Peterbilt body-builder manual · March 2015 Rev A · figure 3-3, page 3-5 ↗ |
| Depicted cab / hood exterior width | 95 in2,413 mm | Top view of the depicted cab / hood. Added sleepers and accessories need separate width checks.Peterbilt body-builder manual · March 2015 Rev A · figure 3-3, page 3-5 ↗ |
| Bumper to front axle (BA) | 49.6 in1,260 mm | Figure 3-3: front bumper to steering axle.Peterbilt body-builder manual · March 2015 Rev A · figure 3-3, page 3-5 ↗ |
5 dimensions still to verify · build record / measurement
| Measurement | Reference value | Scope / how to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | Not verified | Build record / measurement required. |
| Overall tractor length | Not verified | Build record / measurement required. |
| Overall height | Not verified | Build record / measurement required. |
| Width across mirrors | Not verified | Build record / measurement required. |
| Fifth-wheel height | Not verified | Build record / measurement required. |
Planning to transport the truck?
Measure fixed exterior width and mirror width separately, plus overall length, the highest accessory, fifth-wheel height and actual transport weight. Interior bunk width is not exterior width.
03 / UNDER THE SKIN
Powertrain & chassis
Build-specific axle, suspension and wheelbase configuration. Read engine, gearbox and axle ratings together.
Numerical powertrain ratings need a dated configuration-specific source. Cummins / Westport GX · LNG
Documented cab options
- Day cab · drawing reference
Documented transmissions
Read the installed unit’s identification plate and build record.
Factory reference drawing of the cab and hood. The representative sleeper artwork is not this day-cab build. The drawing’s frame-relative 81.4 in cab height is not ground-to-roof height.
04 / MODELS, YEARS & CHANGES
One badge.
Different reference points.
Publication dates and launch milestones do not establish continuous model-year ranges. Match the VIN, production date and equipment era.
Cab and hood dimensions
The later body-builder manual provides explicit dimension endpoints for the 386.
Peterbilt body-builder manual · March 2015 Rev A · figure 3-3, page 3-5 ↗Inspection and build evidence
Inspect hood and fender repairs, cab-to-sleeper seals, frame changes and the installed fuel system. Confirm emissions and engine identity before applying service information.
- VIN-linked factory build record and production date
- Engine and transmission identification plates
- Axle ratings, tyre ratings and fifth-wheel installation
- Physical measurements of the individual tractor
05 / PUTTING IT TO WORK
Match the trailer to the whole truck.
Assess the complete tractor and trailer combination: axle and tyre ratings, coupling capacity, swing clearance and actual loaded dimensions. A model badge does not establish a towing allowance.
HIGHWAYTRAILERS.CA
Flatbed
Start with deck length, load placement, axle distribution and cab-to-trailer clearance.
Read the guide HIGHWAYTRAILERS.CAStep deck
Compare deck height, gooseneck geometry and the loaded combination’s height.
Read the guide HIGHWAYTRAILERS.CARGN / equipment hauling
Check neck compatibility, fifth-wheel loading, wet-kit requirements and the complete axle layout.
Read the guide HIGHWAYTRAILERS.CAHow trailer capacity works
Review the tractor, coupling, trailer, tyres and load as one combination.
Read the guidePulling a trailer
Confirm build-specific combination, axle, tyre and coupling ratings, kingpin and service connections, clearance and actual axle weights. GVW is the loaded truck; GCW is the loaded combination. Neither is trailer payload.
Moving the tractor as cargo
Give the carrier measured length, exterior and mirror widths, height, ground clearance and transport weight. Assess deck access, breakover, loaded height and securement together.
Deck height & loaded height ↗There is no single “386 towing capacity”.
The model badge, artwork and catalogue option selectors cannot rate an individual combination. Obtain the actual build limits and scale weights.
06 / FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
Sources & open questions
Reviewed September 7, 2026. Manufacturer figures remain tied to their stated reference; converted equivalents are rounded; original source units are retained. Application and inspection notes are editorial guidance.
- Peterbilt body-builder manual · March 2015 Rev A · figure 3-3, page 3-5 ↗
- Peterbilt 386 order proposal Q33999581 · May 4, 2009 · one LNG day-cab example ↗
Reference-specific evidence needed
- A dated diesel equipment catalogue and sleeper-specific widths remain open. The two editions are intentionally not merged.
- Overall length, mirror width, accessory height and ground-to-coupling height need build-specific measurements.
- Dated references are evidence points, not complete production-year ranges. Confirm the VIN and original order.
- The colour selector previews illustration colours. A dated factory exterior paint palette has not been verified.