6x2 information?

Based on what you are doing, a 6x2 would be a good idea. You have the right idea in spec'ing full lockers in the drive axle. That is where a lot of fleets mess up. I think you are on the right track with how you are doing it. Anything new that we haven't done before can be a little unnerving. I didn't do what you are doing, but I spec'd a few things on the truck I recently bought that were outside the normal way of doing things, and many people told me I was nuts and it wouldn't work. It is working just fine and almost as well as I had hoped. Since you are on the right track, I would just pull the trigger and go for it. There is plenty of evidence that setting up a 6x2 will get better mpg. And the side benefit is the lighter weight, less components that can fail, and overall lower operating cost, including tires.

You know better than anyone here what kind of operation and situations that truck will operated in. If you feel that you can do without two drive axles then go for it.

 

A MVT company out of NM has all their trucks or most of them in 6x2 configuration. I have seen them driving in hilly states like UT, ID, OR, WA, CO but I never seen any of their trucks got stuck just because it is 6x2. They have 2.5 rear and direct 10 speed gear box (something I do not like). I talked with couple of their drivers and they said trucks average 8.5 mpg.

 

your largest concern about 6x2 should be how to sell it latter

in europe 6x4 is used only for construction logging and heavy haulers there is absolutely no need for 6x4 for on road

even some heavy haulers are 6x2 ,

one company use 6x2 twin steer actros 2554 for transporting weights up to 120ton (265 000lbs) through mountains

there is one scania r500 twin steer 6x2 running together with 6axle goldhofer trailer hauling wind mill elements so lot of off road and 25% of hill gradients gross weight allowed 108t (9+8+13 +6x13) that is 240 000lbs for now it is holding well how long it will i dont know


also 6x2 is much safer 6x4 tend to go straight forward while cornering

look at scandinavia they have weights of 132000lbs with 6x2 and one of worst winters


only thing you should keep in mind we have 19t legal on bogie and on most trucks 11.5 goes on drive and 7.5on tag/lead axle

in us it goes 50% on 34000lbs on drive so we have 50% more weight on drive you should require to have lifting system and weight shifting

 

i wouldnt be concerned about resale because dollers and cents wise if you do your homework and save on fuel and maintance tyre wear ect, by the time it comes to sell you can afford to throw it away and use the money you have saved to buy another.

 

Order it with heavier Euro/Canada drive axle that can take at least 13 tons, with locker of course, better yet Detroit NoSpin. Then tag axle with dump valve and lift system with switch in the cab. If cab lift/dumb switch is illegal where you live just don't tell anyone it's there. In winter 6x2 is better than 6x4 if you can lift the axle when loaded, 6x4 is only needed in soft ground, mud and sand.

 

We have a local fleet tha has been running 6x2 tractors. The do not have a lift on the dead axle so the ability to "single it out" is not there. The biggest problem they had is driver resistance. We are in the Northeast and see some pretty good winter weather but they never had any real traction issues.

Yes, the resale is lower, but you paid less! Yes, they are harder to resell as the general concensus is still afraid of 6x2 configurations.

The locker on the drive is a good idea for anyone who is not always in fair weather and road surfaces. The 6x2 with low rolling resistance tires can really bump your fuel mileage.......

 

Pete, would you recommend 6x2 for 107k gross weight in NY. I'm a bulk hauler so I'm mt 50% of the miles. A lifting tag has a certain appeal, I think .

 

I don't see why not. The air suspensions that Peterbilt installs on the 6x2 configs do not have a "lift axle" setup. To lift the axle will require installation of a valve in the air to the rear bags. You then "drop" the suspension, chain the axle up and re-inflate the first drive bags to get the dead axle off the ground. The other option is to use a tag axle setup like a heavy haul with lift capability but then you are using the tag axle manufacturer suspension so no low air leaf or air trac, etc. will be on the lift axle. With that type of steup the ride will not be as good as the low air leaf ride would be.