fuel-mileage, why not 6x2 trucks..??

Here's a shot of one of Sodrels Macks I found on Hanks truck pictures



Ron

 

30 years ago probably 1 of every 3 truck suspensions were Reyco. This is what was pretty much standard before air ride became popular due to technology getting good enough to make air ride work properly.

 

back in the late 80's I used to drive a truck similar to this, maybe even this one? The rear axle was a drive, and the first was a lift axle, smaller tires.
I don't recall ever having issue with traction, but if you didn't set the air pressure right, it would lock up under braking all the time.
back then fuel economy just didn't matter, besides they were powered with 318 Detriots or silver 92's.
I think my ears are still ringing, what?

 

I also drove a daycab Ford just like this with a 318 back and forth from Orlando to Toronto every week in the late 70's. The tag axle was no problem as long as the snow was less than a foot deep. I was pulling step decks mostly - no car haulers.

 

I've read that a single drive will only net .25 MPG. That's hardly enough incentive to even try it. I used to see those Single drive Melissa Valley trucks in Bellingham at their drop yard always hung up on a pothole, no traction, helpless. What a nightmare.

As far as wide base tires go, I saw a grain hopper on I-29 in MO today that lost a rear trailer tire. It ripped a hole in the hopper and left him on the side of the road with the axle on the ground, unable to work and with a trailer that will be out of commission for days. No thanks.

 

Don't always help

 

I am just doing the specification for my new truck with this configuration. Dana S23-190 drive and S23-070B tag axle with differential lock and separate airdrop valve. This tandem is rated 46,000lbs, vehicle gross is 100,000lbs

 

Volvo offered this in NA 20 years ago, for some reason it never caught on.