Test Drive: Western Star 49x [Photos]

Vehicle Research•Photos 21•November 10, 2020

Built from the ground up as an all-new vocational truck, the Western Star 49X was built to work in a variety of demanding fleet applications, from construction to logging to oil fields and more.

Work Truck magazine had a chance to drive the new truck model at Daimler's High Desert Proving Grounds in Madras, Ore., as well as experience real-world applications and driving conditions in a local, working rock quarry.

The all-new truck is available in a set forward or set back axle configuration and sleeper with 36-inch trench-style low roof, 48-inch mid roof, 60-inch mid roof, or 72-inch Stratosphere high roof with a choice of two trim levels - X-Series Base or X-Series premium. Several upfit friendly features help make sure your final truck is what you need and can operate when and where you need it.

Topics:Test Drive Western Star Vocational Trucks Western Star 49X Vehicle Research

The all-new Western Star 49X Vocational Truck.
Photo: Lauren Fletcher

Clear back-of-cab packaging helps speed up upfits and includes forward-mounted DEF tanks, a standard in-cab battery box, and more.
Photo: Lauren Fletcher

Western Star has made sure that the truck is durable, including utilizing metal accent plates instead of plastic.
Photo: Lauren Fletcher

To help improve visibility to the motoring public and pedestrians, the turn signals have been added in multiple places.
Photo: Lauren Fletcher

The new hood uses an innovative and patented ISO Tech Hood Suspension system that behaves similarly to a typical coil-over shock suspension with spring and damper.
Photo: Lauren Fletcher

The ISO Tech Hood Suspension system isolates, absorbs and dissipates vibrations from the chassis when driving over uneven terrain to protect the hood from damage and cracking.
Photo: Lauren Fletcher

The Detroit Assurance package features an in-cab camera that assists with active brake assist 5 and adaptive cruise control, among others.
Photo: Lauren Fletcher

Western Star has its blind spot warning system in the A-pillar of the truck, featuring a small triangle that turns orange or red. Advancements in the technology can sense a pedestrian as well as whether the vehicle in your blind spot is in the lane next to you or further over.
Photo: Lauren Fletcher

A splayed frame shape toward the front of the chassis allows for lower engine and radiator packaging to optimize hood slope.
Photo: Lauren Fletcher

Straight frame sections begin directly behind the cab and feature a constant flange-to-flange dimension, making upfit easier.
Photo: Lauren Fletcher

From oil fields to rock quarries, the Western Star 49X was built with vocational needs top oif mind.
Photo: Lauren Fletcher

The 49X offers three bumper styles in various finishes as well as front towing device options mounted directly to the front frame head.
Photo: Lauren Fletcher

Journalists were taken out on the Durability track to see just how tough these trucks are tested. Free back adjustment, anyone?
Photo: Lauren Fletcher

Opening the hood is simple enough for one person to safely operate. Under the hood, the 49X debuts the all-new and work-ready Detroit DT12 Vocational series of automated manual transmissions.
Photo: Lauren Fletcher

The Detroit Assurance suite of safety systems includes Side Guard Assist, Active Brake Assist 5, Tailgate warning, and more.,
Photo: Lauren Fletcher

The 49X also debuts a dual-stage LED headlight system featuring an internally printed heat grid and ambient air temperature sensor which can melt three millimeters of ice in less than ten minutes at 40 degrees below zero, or to burn through condensation in warm, humid environments.
Photo: Lauren Fletcher

Western Star design-engineered ergonomic ingress and egress for the 49X. Door opening angles of 70 degrees, five hand holds, and step treads widened by half an inch and constructed as a staircase help facilitate safer entry and exit from the cab.
Photo: Lauren Fletcher

The 49X features a heavy-duty vocational frame engineered to stand up to severe applications.
Photo: Lauren Fletcher

The DT12 Vocational series of transmissions include side PTO capabilities that allow for added flexibility, and unique work application modes and shift map strategies for all types of terrain. A Rock-Free Mode allows the 49X to free itself from wheel stuck situations, an Off-Road Mode enables smooth driving on extreme terrain, like logging roads and rock quarries.
Photo: Lauren Fletcher

From snowplows and mixers to bulk haul tractors and everything in between, the wide selection of options on the 49X lets you choose the right combination of front engine PTOs (FEPTO) and transmission-mounted PTOs so you can install the equipment you need for your application.
Photo: Lauren Fletcher

Battery boxes in the 49X can be mounted between rails, inside the cab or on the frame. The frame-mounted boxes are also made from lightweight, corrosion-resistant aluminum for long life.
Photo: Lauren Fletcher