Two day-cab lengths
Peterbilt’s identification guide separates the 387 Day Cab from the 387 sleeper.
Peterbilt Essentials · Model Identification · September 2007 · page 5 · archived copy ↗
THE ARCHIVED HIGHWAY FILE
Peterbilt
387 family
Distinguish the 112- and 120-inch day-cab references from the separate integral-sleeper design.
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
September 2007. Day-cab identification reference. These BBC options are not assigned to the integral-sleeper version. The artwork shows a representative sleeper, not a rendering of this selection.
Peterbilt Essentials · Model Identification · September 2007 · page 5 · archived copy ↗
DIMENSION GUIDE / A–H
Precision visual reference
Select a measurement to highlight its endpoints and see what the chosen publication confirms.
Peterbilt 387 · 387 Day Cab 120 BBC · September 2007 model-identification guide · 1 published / 7 to verify
Front-view illustration pending. Width and height definitions remain available in the cards below.
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.
120 in3,048 mm
Published for this reference; confirm the individual build.
Page 5 explicitly assigns this nominal BBC to the 387 Day Cab.
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 Essentials · Model Identification · September 2007 · page 5 · archived copy. Published values remain tied to this edition.
View the complete dimension table ↓02 / THE MEASUREMENTS
Published dimensions
387 Day Cab 120 BBC · September 2007 model-identification guide
| Measurement | Reference value | Scope / how to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Bumper to back of cab (BBC) | 120 in3,048 mm | Page 5 explicitly assigns this nominal BBC to the 387 Day Cab.Peterbilt Essentials · Model Identification · September 2007 · page 5 · archived copy ↗ |
7 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. |
| Cab / body exterior width | Not verified | Build record / measurement required. |
| Width across mirrors | Not verified | Build record / measurement required. |
| Fifth-wheel height | Not verified | Build record / measurement required. |
| Bumper to front axle (BA) | 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.
Documented cab options
- Day cab
Documented transmissions
Read the installed unit’s identification plate and build record.
Day-cab identification reference. These BBC options are not assigned to the integral-sleeper version. The artwork shows a representative sleeper, not a rendering of this selection.
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.
The 587 evolves from the 387
Peterbilt describes the new 587 as an evolution of the 387. That relationship does not make their dimensions interchangeable.
Peterbilt 587 manufacturer announcement · March 24, 2010 ↗Inspection and build evidence
Inspect the curved windscreen, composite hood, integrated lamps and cab seals. For sleeper conversions, confirm structural work and the current back-of-cab position.
- 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 “387 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 Essentials · Model Identification · September 2007 · page 5 · archived copy ↗
- Peterbilt 587 manufacturer announcement · March 24, 2010 ↗
Reference-specific evidence needed
- A dated integral-sleeper equipment and dimension sheet is still needed. Engine, transmission and axle ranges are not inferred from used-truck listings.
- 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.