44 tonnes trucks (or 44 tonners) are all three axle tractor units used in combination with three axle semi-trailers. these are the most common body type of all trucks in the UK – but they hardly exist in the rest of Europe. The gross vehicle weight of the tractor unit is really 26 tonnes (as it only has three axles) but truck buyers always the gross combined weight (GCW), or gross train weight, (GTW) is 44 tonnes, as the tractor unit is of no use on its own. Used 44 Tonne Trucks – The UK is unique across Europe (even before Brexit was even mentioned) as the European standard is 40 tonnes GVW from a two axle tractor unit and trailer.
The axle layout of the semi trailer is usually a standard tri-axle layout with three axles lined up towards the rear of the trailer. The tractor unit could have one drive axle (6×2) or two drive axles (6×4).
For 6×2 tractor units, the non-drive axle will typically be able to lift off the floor when not fully loaded at 44 tonnes. The extra axle should only be lowered if the GTW is greater than 40 tonnes. This saves on tyre wear and fuel costs plus makes the truck slightly easier to manoeuvre.
Normal service is resumed as we feature a beautiful Scania V8 tractor unit for sale on this week's front cover. This example is from MV Commercial's stock and is the 2020 S Series 650S version with a rear lift tag axle in addition to all the bells and whistles including Kelsa bars, air horns, side skirts and beacons. If this is too rich for your blood, check out the MV advert on the outside back cover for a slightly older 2019 V8 Scania tractor unit - an R Series R520 with a midlift axle but still has all the bells…
Supplied by Acorn Truck Sales, four new Iveco S-Way 530hp 6x2 (AS440S53TX/P) and three flagship Iveco S-Way 570hp 6x2 (AS440S57TX/FP) have recently joined North Kent Distribution’s fleet of 50 vehicles. The company knows all about efficient fleet management and what a difference having the right truck for the mission makes. With different power ratings at its disposal, North Kent Distribution can maximise efficiency and ‘mission match’ each truck. The Cursor 13 engine powers both variants, with the Iveco S-Way 530hp supplying an excellent blend of capabilities and efficiency, while the most powerful Iveco S-Way 570hp delivers ease of performance when…
If you are wondering what the ‘L’ means in the Actros L, it now applies to all four- and six-wheeled tractor units with single or double drive axles, and 18- and 26-tonne rigid chassis, that have flat-floored GigaSpace, BigSpace or Stream Space cabs in the wider (2.5m) of the two widths available. Devon haulier Wains Transport has just added an Actros ‘L’ onto their fleet, joining another Actros at Wains and both are comfortably ahead of any other vehicles on fuel consumption on the operator’s 25-strong fleet. “We don’t measure mpg obsessively, because there’s a lot of variation in the…
Bath-based haulier Stuart Harvey Transport has taken delivery of a high specification Volvo FH 500 with I-Save Globetrotter XL 6x2 tractor unit. The stunning new truck is equipped with I-Shift Dual Clutch transmission and numerous creature comforts to maximise driving experience and fuel efficiency. Supplied by Mike Gill, Area Sales Manager, Truck and Bus Wales and West, the FH is the latest Volvo to arrive with the customer, having first turned to the Swedish marque in 2019. Stuart Harvey, owner, says: “Since taking delivery of our first Volvo, we’ve been mightily impressed with the brand’s driving performance, fuel efficiency and…
Felixstowe-based Multimodal Logistics has added five new T480 High Turbo Compound 6x2 tractor units to its fleet, the first for the container haulage operator. Supplied by Renault Truck Commercials, the T480 High TC was chosen for its driver appeal and fuel-economy capability. Equipped with Renault Trucks’ latest DE13 TC engine for optimum performance, the T480 Highs have been selected specifically to benchmark performance against a competitor’s model on the 56-strong fleet. Tim Wray, Managing Director, Multimodal Logistics said: “Our operation has witnessed substantial growth, doubling our fleet size since 2019. After running a competitor’s model during this period, we felt…
