The axle option, ideal for snowplow applications, provides enhanced maneuverability required for harsh winter conditions. The heavy-duty front drive axle from Meritor helps to provide sharper wheel cuts, superior steering control and better weight distribution, helping drivers maintain better control on slick winter roads, Western Star says.
“Snow plows work under some of the most extreme conditions and often in tight, neighborhood or urban environments. The new front drive axle option delivers increased capacity and better mobility when it’s needed most,” says Peter Schimunek, Western Star vocational marketing manager. “When adding new specs, we evaluate the needs of our customers and the challenges they face to ensure we have the best options available to help them stay productive on the job.”
Available with hundreds of customization options, the 4700 can be purpose-built to take on local and regional hauls as well as tough vocational applications. The company says the 4700SB AWD with the 18,000-lb. front drive axle can be spec’d with the Cummins L9 engine and is now in production.
The roof fairing maximizes aerodynamics for the largest sleeper available from Western Star, providing improved fuel efficiency without sacrificing comfort and space. Designed and tested in the Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) proprietary, state-of-the-art wind tunnel, the roof fairing optimizes airflow across the trailer gap and sides to reduce drag, the company says.
The roof fairing has been designated as SmartWay Certified by the EPA. SmartWay is a voluntary program for the transportation industry that is comprised of companies committed to reducing emissions and eliminating waste. Several 5700XE configurations with full aerodynamics packages are already SmartWay certified.
“We’re proud of our participation in the SmartWay program and are dedicated to providing new solutions that benefit both our customers’ bottom lines and the environment,” says Samantha Parlier, Western Star Trucks vice president, marketing and product strategy. “Western Star Trucks and DTNA are deeply committed to manufacturing products that improve freight efficiency and reduce fuel consumption.”
The company says the 5700XE was designed with efficiency as a priority with standard features such as an aerodynamic hood, roof, chassis and cab fairings that reduce drag.
