Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, Western Star Trucks offers built-to-spec commercial vehicles designed for vocational and highway uses.
Who makes Western Star Trucks?
The company is owned by Daimler Truck North America, which is now the parent company of Freightliner Corporation. Daimler Truck North America owns several brands in addition to Western Star and Freightliner, including Demand Detroit, Thomas Built Buses, Alliance Parts and Detroit Diesel.
Western Star Trucks History
Western Star began manufacturing heavy-duty commercial trucks in 1967. Initially, the company was located in Ohio and manufactured its trucks in Canada. Over the years, Western Star established itself as the leading manufacturer of commercial vehicles designed with logging, mining, construction and other heavy-duty applications in mind. In the 1980s, Western Star expanded its product line to include models made for highway tractor drivers. Since then, the company has grown steadily, prompting Daimler Trucks North America to purchase it in 2000.
Types of Western Star Trucks
Western Star produces all of its trucks in Oregon, allowing buyers to benefit from American innovation and ingenuity. The vocational line includes the 47X and 49X models, while the highway line features the 57X. Pricing varies based on location, customization and other factors, but you can expect to pay between $160,000 to $240,000 for a brand-new model or $80,000 to $140,000 for a used model.
Western Star’s Vocational Trucks
Western Star's X-series combines innovative engineering with durability, making it easier for commercial businesses to fulfill their transport needs. Each model in the X-series is designed with ease of use in mind. For example, the 47X has a shorter hood and other features to help business owners comply with bridge laws and length requirements.
Due to its heavy-duty chassis, the 47X stands up to tough work conditions. It also has a cab constructed from premium aluminum, a DD13 Gen 5 powertrain, a low roof and doors made from rugged steel. These features come together to increase uptime and keep drivers comfortable as they perform their duties.
The 49X is one of the sturdiest Western Star semi trucks ever built. Like the 47X, the 49X has a heavy-duty chassis designed to withstand even the most severe working conditions, ensuring that your operation runs as smoothly as possible. It also has a Detroit DD13 Gen 5 powertrain, which has increased vocational ratings to help quarries, logging companies, construction firms and other businesses increase productivity without a significant increase in costs. Additional features of the 49X include a trench-style low roof, forged steel door hinges and a power hood designed for the steepest terrain imaginable.
Western Star Semi Trucks For Highway Transportation
If you're interested in Western Star trucks for sale, don't miss out on the opportunity to see the 57X in person. The brand-new model was designed with drivers in mind, so it contains a customizable digital dashboard for hands-free access to critical travel information and entertainment options. Buyers can even add a flatscreen television, refrigerator, dinette set or Murphy-style bed, making it easier to attract and retain experienced driving professionals.
Designed for highway use, the 57X also has several features designed to increase fuel efficiency, enhance safety and ensure that deliveries get to their destinations on time. For example, the 57X has a redesigned hood, extended roof spoiler and better door mirrors for enhanced aerodynamics. This model also uses Michelin X Line Energy D+ tires, which have 35% better traction than competing models.
Every company has unique power demands, so the 57X has three powertrain options, all produced by Detroit:
- DD13 Gen 5: Redesigned with durability and performance in mind, the DD13 Gen 5 powertrain has 370 to 525 horsepower and a torque range of 1,250 to 1,800 pound-feet.
- DD15 Gen 5: Known for its reliability, the DD13 Gen 5 offers 425 to 505 horsepower and a torque range of 1,550 to 1,850 pound-feet.
- DD16: Detroit has outdone itself with the DD16, a 16-liter engine with 500 to 600 horsepower.
These Western Star trucks also have multiple transmission options, giving you complete control over the look and performance of your highway vehicles.