6×2 question

It sounds like you don’t have a load transfer, Meritor or Bendix installed, that’s different than traction control. Freightliner will show up on your driver display and say load transfer, other models may have a lamp on the dash, or switch with a truck icon with an arrow in an upside down U shape over the axles. You can make a manual version by mounting a switch on the dash, adding a dump valve to the tag, and a solenoid. That’s what I have on mine, due to my own mistake when spec’ing the truck. Having the load transfer feature works very well. I recommend running the Hankook DL12 single, Yokohama 902L, Michelin Grip D on the powered axle, in that order. You need a higher traction tire there. Using a trailer tire on the tag is recommended.

 

Op,do as @Misesian says.
It is cheap and simple.

 

@Misesian
Why didn't you make it a lift axle?

 

International only has tag from the factory. You could order a truck as a 4x2 and put your own pusher on. There are plenty of places that do that kind of work. I wouldn’t have much opportunity to have the axle up unless I were empty. The only benefit would be better tire wear. The tag axle scrubs your driver side shoulder.
I recommend the Hankook TL21, Yokohama, and Michelin Multi energy on the tag, if you have duals, a Bridgestone R268 or similar does well there. Something with beefier shoulders.

 

There is a company called Cush in Nixa, MO that makes axle products. They have a universal mount, aftermarket, axle lift. If you have a manual switch, you can dump your tag, flip the Cush switch and it will lift the axle. It’s not that expensive either. I’ve been thinking about getting it, but, I wouldn’t have many opportunities to have the axle up, and having the dump only has worked very well, even in very bad conditions.

 

A place that does upfits for vocational trucks will know how to do it. If you go to a regular dealer, having a schematic of the Bendix Etrac or Meritor ECAS load transfer will tell them what to do. You wouldn’t be using those specific parts but the concept is the same.

 

On youtube you will find Scandanivian trucks running 6*2 trucks in deep snow.
Grossing 120 000+lbs.
Setup is everything.

Btw TTR has Scandinavian members that run 6*2.
@medioker is one.
He knows the other one too,i think.
In case you have questions on how they do it.

 

That's right. We have 11 trucks with 6x2 with 4 axle drawbar trailers. 64 tonnes. We haul recycling goods in the northern Sweden from mountains to the harbours. No problem what so ever. Some of them can lift the tag full load, that's preferred. Some don't, then you have to show your skills. But whe have automatic sand spreader in front of driveaxle. They are magic. Don't know if you have them over there

 

Sanders have been around in the US since the 1940’s and were popular in the 50’s up through the 60’s. They are still availiable and approved as a alternative for chains but no one uses them anymore. I don’t really know why. They look cool hanging off the side in front of the drives on a vintage truck.