Not a replacement for the T800,
the new truck borrows from the T680

Kenworth launched the new T880 at the annual Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville this morning. It offers a “nicer workplace” than the veteran T800, KW says, adding that the latter truck won’t be discontinued until the market decides it’s no longer useful. Kenworth’s vocational line-up also includes the T440, W900S and C500.

Kenworth also unveiled a new 52-in. mid-roof sleeper for its flagship T680. It’s available with an aerodynamic roof fairing for customers who operate van body trailers or without a roof fairing for flatbed or tanker operators.

The new T880, available for production later this summer, features a panoramic windshield for enhanced visibility, quiet cab with triple-sealed doors, 5-piece hood for easier and faster repairs, air-assisted hydraulic clutch, complex reflector headlamps, and new lightweight, factory-installed lift axles.

Standard engine is the 12.9-liter PACCAR MX-13, offering high-end ratings of 500 hp and 1850 lb ft of torque. It can handle heavy-haul applications over 100,000 lb. The T880 is also available with the Cummins ISX15 engine with up to 600 hp and 2050 lb ft of torque.

The truck’s stamped-aluminum, lightweight cab is new for vocational applications. First introduced with the T680 in 2012, KW says its the result of a rigorous durability testing regimen focused on the demanding requirements for vocational trucks. Robotically assembled, the aluminum panels are connected by Henrob self-penetrating fasteners to produce an extremely durable cab with enhanced resistance to noise, vibration and corrosion, Kenworth says. The cab also uses cowl-mounted mirrors for better visibility, increased durability and reduced adjustment. The cab is 83 in. wide with 23 in. of space between the seats.

The T880 is standard with a panoramic one-piece, bonded-in windshield with superior visibility and sufficient thickness to minimize the effect of rock incidents. KW says it offers efficient replacement time, and is much larger in size compared to the T800 windshield.

The lightweight aluminum door is extremely durable and robust enough to support up to 400 lb, according to Kenworth. A pressure-relief valve equalizes interior and exterior air pressure to make the door easy to open and close. The door is triple sealed against the elements and road noise.

The new vocational hood is made of Metton, a lightweight, durable composite material with “excellent” impact resistance and finished surface. It’s offered in two configurations, both with bolt-on fenders. The T880 is available in a 116.5-in. BBC as well as a 122.5-in. BBC standard length. The truck’s hood assist system means lifting the hood requires just 35 lb of opening force. To aid in easy serviceability and replacements, the T880 is available with all the current T800 metal bumpers.

The T880 is standard with dual-lamp complex reflector headlamps, offering performance at a lower cost and more durability, says Kenworth. All standard exterior lights utilize LED technology that provides a 20,000-hour life, which equates to about 15 years of truck life. LED lights are also used extensively in the cab and sleeper.

The T880 is available with five new, factory-installed and lightweight Watson & Chalin lift axles, including a 10,000-lb offering for the first time and a 20K version with a 200-lb weight saving. Also offered are new steering gears for improved steering feedback and increased wheel cut for greater maneuverability.

Inside the cab, the Driver Performance Center uses a full-color, high-resolution, 5-in. Thin Film Transistor display screen, which includes current truck information, diagnostic data, and pop-up alerts. The dash cluster has nine standard gauges and 12 additional gauges available. The T880 uses new electric-over-air dash switches introduced on the T680.

kenworth.com