Have you ever wondered why you can have a FAT, FAG, FAR, FAN, FAX and FAT DAF truck? In addition to the model groups, such as the LF, CF and XF, DAF have a naming convention for the axle configuration.
It’s not all as straightforward as just a 6×2. How do we know where the extra axle is? Does this axle steer? Below is the handy guide with images produced by DAF to explain the differences.
DAF Rigid Chassis Axle Configuration Naming
| FA | Can’t be easier – that’s a standard 4×2 rigid – available across the whole range from LF to XF. |
| FAR | Now it’s getting trickier – a 6×2 with a non-steering rear non-drive axle with single wheels. Available across the whole CF & XF ranges. |
| FAS | Here’s a mouthful – a 6×2 with a non-steering rear non-drive axle with double wheels at the rear. Available across the whole CF & XF ranges. |
| FAG | Still on the 6×2 but with a mid-mounted steering, non-drive axle with single wheels. Only available on the MX-11 versions of the CF range. |
| FAN | This is a 6×2 with a rear-mounted steering single axle, single wheels. Available across the whole CF & XF ranges. |
| FAT | The FAT boy is a traditional 6×4 double drive. That’s easy. Available on the larger-engined CF and all XF trucks. |
| FAK | The FAK is an 8×2 in ‘Tridem’ configuration with three rear axles with the middle one of the three driven, the rear one non-steering with double wheels and the front one a single steering axle. |
| FAQ | Not so frequently asked – another 8×2 ‘Tridem’. This time a central driven axle surrounded by two steering, single wheel axles. Only available on CF range with the MX-11 and MX-13 engines. |
| FAC | More traditional now – an 8×2 with two forward steering axles – at the rear a driven axle followed by a non-steering twin wheel non-drive axle. |
| FAX | The last of the 8×2 – again two forward steering axles – at the rear a drive axle followed by a steering, single wheel axle. Only available on CF range with the MX-11 and MX-13 engines. |
| FAD | The only 8×4 format – old school with two front steering axles and two rear drive axles. Available on the larger-engined CF and all XF trucks. |
DAF Tractor Unit Axle Configuration Naming
Whilst the DAF rigids all start with FA – the tractor units all start with FT (Forward control Tractor unit).
There are fewer options but can still get tricky!
| FT | Just a straightforward 4×2 – available across the range from LF to XF |
| FTP | This is a 6×2 midlift, but the mid axle is smaller and does not steer. Available on CF and XF ranges. |
| FTR | A 6×2 rear lift with a standard sized, non steering rear axle. Available on CF and XF ranges. |
| FTS | A 10-tyre 6×2 two sets of double wheels with the first set driven. Available on CF and XF ranges. |
| FTG | Probably the most common of all, a 6×2 tractor unit with midlift steering axle. Available on CF and XF ranges. |
| FTN | A 6×2 tractor unit with a steering rear axle with single wheels. Available on CF and XF ranges. |
| FTT | A straightforward 6×4 double drive tractor unit. Available on CF and XF ranges. |
| FTM | The big guns. An 8×4 tractor unit with a Tridem configuration, rear two axles both driving and first axle a single, steering one. |