Choose the Western Star 4900 for OTR driver comfort — its 82" sleeper options exceed the Peterbilt 520's 0" maximum. The Western Star 4900 offers more peak power (600 hp vs 500 hp), giving it an edge for heavy-haul and mountainous routes.
| Spec | Peterbilt 520 85 available · from $122,500 | Western Star 4900 32 available · from $19,500 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine Options | ||
| Engine options | PACCAR MX-11, Cummins L9, Cummins X12 | Detroit DD16, Cummins ISX15, Detroit DD13, Detroit DD15, Detroit Series 60 Tier III |
| Horsepower range | 260–500 hp | 350–600 hp |
| Peak torque | 1,700 lb-ft | 2,050 lb-ft |
| Weight Ratings | ||
| GVWR (max) | 66,000 lbs | — |
| GCWR | 66,000 lbs | — |
| Transmission Options | ||
| Transmissions | Allison 4500 RDS, PACCAR Automated 12-speed (TX-12) | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Wheelbase options | 4 options (152"–212") | 1 options (448"–448") |
Choose the Western Star 4900 for OTR driver comfort — its 82" sleeper options exceed the Peterbilt 520's 0" maximum. The Western Star 4900 offers more peak power (600 hp vs 500 hp), giving it an edge for heavy-haul and mountainous routes.
Both the Peterbilt 520 and Western Star 4900 hold strong resale value among owner-operators and fleets. Resale depends heavily on mileage, maintenance history, and regional demand — not OEM brand alone. Check current listings on TruckRadar for real-world asking prices.
No. The Peterbilt 520 is built by Peterbilt and the Western Star 4900 is built by Western Star. Both are Class 8 conventional tractors but differ in powertrain options, cab dimensions, dealer networks, and MSRP.
The Peterbilt 520 tops out at 500 hp / 1700 lb-ft torque. The Western Star 4900 tops out at 600 hp / 2050 lb-ft. GVWR is 66,000 lbs for the Peterbilt 520 and similar lbs for the Western Star 4900.
TruckRadar has 117 Peterbilt 520 and Western Star 4900 trucks available right now from dealers nationwide. Search by make, model, price, and location at truckradar.ai.
| Sleeper sizes |
| No sleeper |
| 34", 40", 54", 68", 82" |
| Pricing (estimated) |
| Base MSRP range | $200,000–$280,000 | — |