Sterling unveils new 360

Nov. 1, 2006
EARLIER THIS YEAR, Sterling Truck Corp unveiled the 360, its new low-cab-over engine truck that allows for leading fuel economy in an LCOE truck as well as the industry's easiest entry and egress, and the biggest cab.

EARLIER THIS YEAR, Sterling Truck Corp unveiled the 360, its new low-cab-over engine truck that allows for leading fuel economy in an LCOE truck as well as the industry's easiest entry and egress, and the biggest cab.

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

Sterling says tests conducted at an independent third-party testing facility, Transportation Research Center (TRC) Inc, showed that the 360 would save $600 a year or more in fuel over competitive models. That assumes 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.

With drivers in delivery applications getting in and out of their vehicle numerous times a day, the design of the 360 provides what Sterling says is the easiest entry and egress in the LCOE truck industry. The door is 1" wider than the market leader, and the truck also features a larger and more ergonomic step position and a 73-degree door pivot.

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

With more than 90 cubic feet of cab volume and more floor and belly room than competitive models, the 360 features what Sterling says is the biggest cab in its class. Comfortably seating three, the truck also allows the driver to pass through the cab and exit curbside for added safety and convenience.

The dash-mounted gear shift allows for easy mobility inside the cab and features power and brake interlocks with an accessible override button. To enhance driver safety, the transmission control interlocks require electrical power and the service brake must be applied.

The truck has a relatively short cab-to-body clearance (4.5") that allows for longer bodies and a greater range of body mount positions.

As opposed to a tapered frame, the 360 is built with a 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, fastener corrosion and loss of clamping force is prevented. 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.

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

The following are some popular specs and options available on the 360:

  • 4.9L turbo diesel engine with 175hp at 2700 rpm and 391 lb-ft of torque at 1600 rpm.

  • Standard engine brake.

  • Six-speed automatic transmission with final reduction gear ratio of 5.285.

  • GVWRs of 14,050 lb, 14,500 lb, and 17,995 lb.

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

  • Front and rear suspension with laminated leaf springs, shock absorber, and stabilizer bar.

  • 33-gallon side mount fuel tank (standard) and 30-gallon fuel tank aft-mount between rails (optional).

  • Optional block heater.

  • Five exterior paint colors.

About the Author

Rick Weber | Associate Editor

Rick Weber has been an associate editor for Trailer/Body Builders since February 2000. A national award-winning sportswriter, he covered the Miami Dolphins for the Fort Myers News-Press following service with publications in California and Australia. He is a graduate of Penn State University.