Chassis Chalkboard oard
I Test-Drive New Kenworths By Randall Resch
Operations Editor Randall C. Resch is a retired California police officer and veteran tow business owner, manager, consultant and trainer. He writes for TowIndustryWeek. com and American Towman, is a member of the International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame and recipient of the Dave Jones Leadership Award. Email Randy at rreschran@gmail.com.
Low Pro Class 5, Resch checks out steps and cab entry.
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his narrative speaks to newgeneration, light, medium and heavy-duty trucks, where, on April 1st, 2021, I attended, Kenworth’s, “Editor’s Drive Event,” in Phoenix, AZ, sponsored by Kenworth Trucks.
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I reviewed five, brand spankin’ new Kenworth trucks suited to light, medium and heavy-class tow and transport operations, in a driving circuit that skirted Phoenix’s Convention Center. With a popularity explosion favoring flatbed carriers and medium-duty wrecker chassis’, I scrutinized (for you) each model carefully. Although a Kenworth (prepped) wrecker and carrier weren’t available for review, I focused on obtainable cab and 52 • May 2021 | Towman.com
chassis’ details for industry applications. My mission; to share an unbiased observation in-how these units’ best serve towers in light and medium-duty (tow) classes where commercial CDL’s aren’t required for trucks weighing less than 26,000 GVWR. When spec’ing cabs and chassis’, my selection criterion is: • Climb-ability entering/exiting cab • In-cab safety protection • Cab and seat comfort • Access to controls & steering • Front windshield/Mirrors and blind spots • E-Brake type/positioning • Engine/Transmission performance • Easily maintained • Drive and sway factor • Double-wrapped frames
