6×2 trucks all have three axles, only one of which is a drive axle. This sounds straightforward but becomes more complicated when you consider the types of trucks involved.
Used 6×2 Trucks
On these pages we will consider 6×2 rigid trucks – including those pulling a drawbar trailer and tractor units – the most popular type of truck sold in the UK.
Typical Used 6x2 Truck for Sale - Here a Tractor Unit capable of a Gross Train Weight of 44 tonnes
ABS, Air brakes, Central locking, Cruise control, Electric windows, Power steering, Tachograph – Digital, Wind deflector, Call or text for more information.UK and export sales welcome. We can arrange delivery,...
DAF XF 105 Series Super Space Twinsleeper Cab. Paccar MX 460 Bhp Turbo Air To Air Charge Cooled Euro 5 Engine C/w Ad-Blue. ZF 12 Speed As-Tronic Automatic Gearbox. Gearbox...
Transmission Automatic, 12 gears Assistance systems Electronic Brake System EBS, Emergency brake assist, Adaptive Cruise Control ACC, Lane Departure Warning System LDWS, Hill Hold Control HHC Light and sight Headlight...
Mercedes Arocs Big Space High Roof Twin Sleeper Cab, Mercedes 510Bhp Turbo Air to Air Charge Cooled Euro 6 Engine c/w Ad-Blue System, Mercedes Power Shift ‘3’ 12 Speed Telligent...
These are trucks that, by definition, are not articulated (compared to tractor unit and semi-trailers which are articulated.)
The drive axles are distinguished by usually having two sets of wheels and tyres on each end of the axles. This means that they are legally allowed to carry ten tonnes, as the load is spread over a greater surface and therefore does less damage to the roads.
The remaining two axles typically have just one wheel and tyre on each end of the axle. This means the most that they can carry is eight tonnes each.
Some simple maths tells us that the most these trucks can carry is 2 x 8 plus 10 tonnes – or 26 tonnes Gross Vehicle Weight.
Lift vs Steer Axles
On a 6×2 rigid the front axle will always be a ‘steer’ axle, (otherwise going around corners would prove very difficult). The other non-drive axle could be a steer axle – these are usually seen on vehicles with an urban duty cycle, such as refuse trucks.
A rear steer axle will generally make a truck more manoeuvrable.
Lift axles are employed to save on tyre wear when the truck is not running at full capacity. Using hydraulics, the axle is lifted clear of the floor. Where the axle is located in front of the drive axle, this is known as a mid-lift axle – when it is at the rear then it is called a rear-steer or a tag-axle.
6×2 Drawbar Rigids
These trucks are simply a normal 6×2 rigid with a special drawbar coupling at the rear to allow them to pull a drawbar trailer. These are not classes as tractor units as they are not articulated with a fifth wheel coupling. The trailers can stand on their own when decoupled as they typically have a minimum of two axles spaced centrally.
In addition to the coupling, rigid trucks that are set up to pull drawbar trailers will have more powerful engines, as the combination weight is approaching that of a tractor unit and semi-trailer in the UK at 40 tonnes gross train weight (GTW).
6×2 Articulated Tractor Units
These are the most common type of truck on the UK’s roads. Unlike through the rest of Europe, tractor units with this extra axle (most continental tractor units are just 4×2) means that they can legally carry an extra four tonnes GVW in the UK (44 vs 40 tonnes).
In terms of operating efficiency these trucks are typically preferred for all except high volume, low weight operations (think carrying polystyrene).
6×2 tractor units can also have a choice of lift axles – mid or rear lift axles.
It certainly pays to be a vlogger – at least it appears to have done for ‘Trucker Jenko’ who posts videos about trucking and his truck on YouTube. Who can say if his relative fame led to him being chosen as the driver to look after the company’s flagship – but he’s certainly talking about it now. With more than 1.8 million video views, and he can’t stop talking about his exclusive new tractor unit. Actros Edition 1 driver Martyn Jenkins launched his ‘Trucker Jenko’ YouTube channel in 2018 and now has nearly 13,000 subscribers The top-of-the-range model was supplied…
Roger Millett, Transport Solutions Executive at Sparks Commercial Services Ltd had a good day when, after cold calling a pallet operator with no Renault trucks on the fleet, he managed to close a deal for two new Renault Trucks. The dealer, Sparks Commercials, reputation for aftersales service helped his case, as did the falling service levels from their existing truck dealer has led to a Renault Trucks D Wide 26-tonne rigid turning up at Broughton Transport Solutions Ltd. to service increasing demand on their pallet network business. The D Wide with high-spec, rear-steering chassis was an operator-requested preference due to…
If you are pulling a tanker load of fuel, then it makes sense for the vehicle to use that fuel. It would be ironic if the tractor unit towing a ‘green’ LNG tanker destined for road use was fuelled by diesel. Worthing-based AD Fuels has grown its fleet with the addition of four ADR-spec Volvo FH LNG 6x2 tractor units, in response to the surge in demand for transporting LNG. That’s exactly what Worthing-based AD Fuels has managed to avoid in growing its fleet with the addition of four ADR-spec Volvo FH LNG 6x2 tractor units, in response to the…
Exeter-based Parsons Nationwide Distribution have always been impressed with their Mercedes Actros tractor units but preferred to go for a Swedish manufacturer for their rigid trucks. That’s all changed as the company has just commissioned its first rigid truck bearing the three-pointed star. Purchased from City West Commercials, the 26-tonne Actros came with MirrorCam, Active Brake Assist 5, enhanced Predictive Powertrain Control and the optionally upgraded Multimedia Cockpit, interactive. The 2540 L model has a 2.3m-wide StreamSpace cab and a 10.7-litre in-line six-cylinder engine that produces 394 hp. Its reinforced curtainside body is by TWR Commercial Bodybuilders, of Cullompton, which…
In transport these days, you’ve got to keep your drivers happy. That’s why Bradford-based Shipley Transport Services has splashed out on four new Volvo FH460 with I-Save all kitted out with Globetrotter XL cabs, luxury seating, fridges and microwaves. “This is our first time trying the I-Save model and we’re excited to see how well it performs both on the road, and at the pumps" Supplied by Crossroads Truck and Bus Area Sales Manager, Jason Robinson, the four new 460 hp FH with I-Save 6x2s join a 50-strong fleet, made up predominantly of Volvos. Each new truck benefits from Volvo’s…
Typical Used 6x2 Truck for Sale - Here a Tractor Unit capable of a Gross Train Weight of 44 tonnes
