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Peterbilt Class 8

Peterbilt 520 (refuse cabover)

Low cab forward refuse • Production 2015–present

Cab-over with right-hand drive option Refuse (front-load, rear-load, side-load), recycling, sweeper
In production
Class
Class 8
Type
Low cab forward refuse
Production
2015–present
GVWR
44,000-66,000 lb
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About the Peterbilt 520 (refuse cabover)

The Peterbilt 520 is Peterbilt's purpose-built refuse cabover — Class 8 low cab forward design optimized for garbage truck applications. Direct competitor to the Mack LR. The 520 launched in 2015 as Peterbilt's modern refuse offering after retiring the legacy 320. Right-hand drive option for curbside collection routes. Dual-drive configurations let the driver switch sides depending on route layout.

Overview

The Peterbilt 520 is Peterbilt's purpose-built refuse cabover — Class 8 low cab forward design optimized for garbage truck applications. Direct competitor to the Mack LR. The 520 launched in 2015 as Peterbilt's modern refuse offering after retiring the legacy 320. Right-hand drive option for curbside collection routes. Dual-drive configurations let the driver switch sides depending on route layout.

Specifications
Manufacturer
Peterbilt
Class
Class 8
Vehicle type
Low cab forward refuse
Cab type
Cab-over with right-hand drive option
Production years
2015–present
Applications
Refuse (front-load, rear-load, side-load), recycling, sweeper
Typical engines
Cummins L9, PACCAR MX-11
Typical transmissions
Allison automatic
GVWR range
44,000-66,000 lb
Design and engineering

Cab-over-engine design with engine mounted behind/under the cab. Right-hand drive option. Aluminum cab. Reinforced chassis for refuse compactor body weights. Optional crew cab.

Generations and major changes
520 Original
2015–present
Replaced legacy 320 refuse chassis.
520EV variant
2022–present
Battery electric variant introduced — 376 kWh battery, ~80 mile range.
Market position and popularity

Solid refuse market presence. Major refuse fleets (Waste Connections, Republic Services portfolio mix) use 520. Less dominant than Mack LR in the refuse space but growing share. The 520EV is an early commercial Class 8 electric truck — Peterbilt has shipped hundreds to West Coast municipal fleets.

Who buys this truck

Refuse and recycling fleets — municipal and private.

Common problems and reliability notes

Cummins L9 emissions at 250K+ miles in stop-and-go refuse use. PACCAR MX-11 EGR issues. Cab-over service complexity. Hydraulic system PM critical.

Pros and cons

✓ Pros

  • • Modern refuse-specific design
  • • Right-hand drive options
  • • Battery electric variant available
  • • Peterbilt dealer support

⚠ Cons

  • • Specialized — no resale outside refuse
  • • Cab-over service complexity
  • • Less established than Mack LR in refuse

Related

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Peterbilt 520 (refuse cabover)?
The Peterbilt 520 is Peterbilt's purpose-built refuse cabover — Class 8 low cab forward design optimized for garbage truck applications. Direct competitor to the Mack LR. The 520 launched in 2015 as Peterbilt's modern refuse offering after retiring the legacy 320. Right-hand drive option for curbside collection routes. Dual-drive configurations let the driver switch sides depending on route layout.
What years was the Peterbilt 520 (refuse cabover) produced?
Peterbilt 520 (refuse cabover) production started in 2015. The model remains in production today. There have been 2 distinct generations or major updates during this production run, each with significant changes in styling, engines, or features. Both new and used Peterbilt 520 (refuse cabover) trucks are commonly available.
What engines come in the Peterbilt 520 (refuse cabover)?
Peterbilt 520 (refuse cabover) trucks typically come with one of these engines: Cummins L9, PACCAR MX-11. All are 6-cylinder inline diesel engines, ranging from 11-16 liter displacement. Engine choice depends on application (long-haul, regional, vocational) and buyer preference. Each engine choice has different reliability, fuel economy, and parts/service ecosystem implications — see our engine guides at /resources/guides/ for deeper comparisons.
Is the Peterbilt 520 (refuse cabover) reliable?
Like all commercial diesels, the Peterbilt 520 (refuse cabover) has known issue patterns: Cummins L9 emissions at 250K+ miles in stop-and-go refuse use. PACCAR MX-11 EGR issues. Cab-over service complexity. Hydraulic system PM critical.… For full known-issue details and the recall/complaint history broken down by model year, see the dedicated sections on this page.
Who is the typical Peterbilt 520 (refuse cabover) buyer?
Refuse and recycling fleets — municipal and private.
What are the most common Peterbilt 520 (refuse cabover) recalls and complaints?
Open NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the Peterbilt 520 (refuse cabover) vary by model year. See the table above for year-by-year breakdown with direct links to the recall and complaint detail pages. Common patterns across all years include DEF/SCR aftertreatment issues (on 2010+ models), EGR cooler failures at high mileage, and turbocharger boost-pressure faults — these affect most modern commercial diesels, not just this model.

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