Heavy rigid truck guide
In the third of our truck guides, this month we’re concentrating on heavy rigid trucks with a great assortment from all over the worldIn this guide we’ve covered heavy rigid trucks that are primarily intended for operation without a trailer, in 6x2, 6x4, 8x4 and 10x4 configurations.
We’ve selected minimum power/torque figures of 250hp/1000Nm for this heavy-rigid class.
The truck makes are listed alphabetically, not in order of market share, specification or price.
DAF CF75
The DAF75 has state-of-the-art Euro specification, with a full suite of electronic active safety aids.
The DAF CF75 range is powered by the PACCAR 9.2-litre Euro 5 engine, with outputs from 250hp up to 360hp and maximum torque of 1050Nm up to 1450Nm, plus a standard 170kW exhaust brake.
Transmission choices are ZF eight-speed synchromesh manual and ZF AS-Tronic 12-speed automated manual on 6x2 and 6x4; AS-Tronic and Allison six-speed torque converter auto on 8x4. A 500kW Intarder is optional with the12-speed transmission.
All CF75s have a DAF 7.5-tonnes-capacity front axle with taper-leaf suspension and 6x4 and 8x4 models have a Meritor MT21-144 tandem, rated at 18.1 tonnes, on PACCAR Airlglide 400 eight-bag air suspension. Across-axle and inter-axle diff locks are standard.
The 8x4 has load-sharing front suspension.
The 6x2 has a DAF drive axle and trailing axle tandem, with DAF eight-bag air suspension and an across-axle diff lock.
Quick specs
Engine: 250hp/1050Nm up to 360hp/1450Nm
Transmissions: Eight-speed manual, 12-speed automated manual and six-speed automatic
Brakes: Disc front, drums rear (6x4 and 8x4); discs front and rear (6x2); GVMs: GVM 24.6 tonnes (6x2 and 6x4); 32.3 tonnes (8x4). GCM 38 tonnes, all models.
Dennis Eagle
The Elite 2 range of Dennis Eagle truck cab/chassis is purpose-designed for waste collection and features a stainless steel cab. Single or dual steering stations are available. Standard is ABS/ETC braking.
Power comes from a Cummins ISL E5 engine rated at 280hp/980Nm (6x4) and 340hp/1500Nm (8x4). Transmissions are Allison torque converter automatics, with a choice of MD3000, 3200 and 3500 series.
Dana axles are fitted front and rear, with twin-leaf parabolic leaves at the front and a choice of Hendrickson HAS or Primaax at the rear.
Braking is by Knorr discs all around.
Quick specs
Engine: 280hp/980Nm (6x4) and 340hp/1500Nm (8x4) Cummins ISL E5
Transmissions: Allison six-speed automatic
Brakes: Discs
GVMs: 24.5 tonnes (6x4) {26 tonnes with approval} ; 28.3 tonnes (8x4) {32 tonnes with approval}.
Freightliner
Freightliner’s Columbia 6x4, 8x4 and 10x4 models have ABS brakes, traction and cruise control.
Power comes form a Cummins ISL E5 engine rated at 320hp/1350Nm up to 400hp/1700Nm.
Transmission choices include Eaton 9-, 13- and 18-speeds; Ultrashift 9- and 18-speed automated manuals and Allison 3000 and 4500 series torque converter automatics.
Front axles are Daimler or Meritor, with load-sharing on Meritor twin-steer models. Tag axles are available on 8x4s to create 10x4 trucks. Drive axles are Meritor MT40, RT40 or RT46, with driver-controlled power divider and across-axle diff locks.
Rear suspensions are Freightliner steel spring or air, with Hendrickson HLM on 10x4 rear axles.
Brakes are drums, with optional discs on 6x4s.
Quick specs
Engine: 320hp/1350Nm up to 400hp/1700Nm
Transmissions: Eaton 9-, 13- and 18-speeds; Ultrashift 9- and 18-speed automated manuals and Allison 3000 and 4500
Brakes: Drums (discs optional on 6x4s)
GVMs: 24 tonnes (6x4); 28.5 tonnes (8x4); 34 tonnes (10x4).
Fuso
The Fuso Shogun range has a full suite of electronic safety aids.
There are two rigid-truck models in the Shogun range, starting with the 360 that’s powered by Fuso’s 7.7-litre engine, rated at 360hp and 1400Nm. A Jacobs three-stage engine brake is standard.
The engine drives through a Fuso 12-speed automated manual transmission to a choice of 6x2 or 6x4 rear tandems, on eight-bag air suspension. Limited-slip axle centres are optional.
The larger-engined Shogun powertrain comes from parent Mercedes-Benz, combining the OM470, 10.7-litre engine with 395hp or 455hp and three-level Jacobs Brake, coupled to a G230 12-speed automated manual transmission.
Shoguns have Fuso front and rear axles, with 7.1-tonnes capacity front suspension by taper leaves and at the rear, a choice of trunnion-mounted, six-rod leaf spring suspension or four-bag air suspensions, both rated at 21.6 tonnes.
Power divider locks are standard and LSDs in both drive axles are optional.
Quick specs
Engine: 360hp/1400Nm (7.7-litre); 395hp/2000Nm or 455hp/2200Nm (10.7-litre)
Transmission: Fuso G211 (7.7-litre): M-B G230 (10.7-litre) 12-speed automated manual
Brakes: Drums
GVMs: GVM 25 tonnes (7.7-litre); 24-25.4 tonnes (10.7-litre); 30.8 tonnes (8x4).
Hino
The 2021 Hino 700 Series has a full suite of electronic dynamic safety aids and there are two engine sizes available.
Three 6x2, 6x4 and 8x4 rigid truck models are powered by Hino’s Euro 6, nine-litre engine, rated at 320hp/1275Nm (6x2 and 6x4) and 360hp/1569Nm (8x4). A Jacobs engine brake is standard.
The standard transmission on all three models is an Allison six-speed torque converter model, but the 3200 series fitted to the 6x2 and 6x4 models is replaced by a heavier-duty 4440 series on the 8x4.
Hendrickson air rear suspension is standard on the 6x2, optional on the 6x4 and the 8x4 is leaf-only.
The larger-engined 6x4 and 8x4 Hino 700s are powered by Hino’s 480hp/2157Nm 13-litre engine, with standard Jacobs engine brake.
The only transmission is ZF’s Trayon 16-speed automated manual box, with standard Intarder retarder.
Axles on 700 models are Hino, with inter-axle and across-axle diff locks. Front suspension is taper-leaf and 8x4s have load-sharing. The 13-litre 6x4 and 8x4 models come with air or leaf rear suspensions.
Quick specs
Engines: Nine-litre, 320hp/1275Nm (6x2 and 6x4) and 360hp/1569Nm (8x4); 13-litre, 480hp/2157Nm
Transmissions: Nine-litre, Allison six-speed auto; 13-litre, 16-speed automated manual
Brakes: Drums
GVMs: 320hp models, 26 tonnes; 360hp 8x4, 30 tonnes; 480hp 6x4, 27.9-28.3 tonnes; 480hp 8x4, 30-32 tonnes.
Isuzu
The market leader is progressively upgrading its truck specifications, but as yet does not have a full suite of electronic dynamic safety aids. Standard are driver airbag, cruise control and ABS.
The Isuzu models in this class are FX 6x4s and FY 8x4s; all powered by Isuzu’s 9.8-litre, Euro V engine that’s rated at 345hp and 1422Nm. An exhaust brake is standard.
Isuzu offers a wide choice of transmissions: Eaton constant-mesh RTO 11908LL; ZF nine-speed synchromesh and Allison 4430 series, six-speed torque converter automatic.
Front axles are Meritor FG941 with taper-leaf springs that are load-sharing on 8x4s. Rear tandems are Meritor MT-14X, with power divider locks and across-axle diff locks. Suspensions are Isuzu six-rod leaf or Hendrickson HAS 461 four-bar air.
Isuzu has a market-leading range of available wheelbases and combinations of PTO and suspension variations.
Quick specs
Engine: 345hp/1422Nm, 9.8-litre
Transmissions: Eaton RTO 11908LL; ZF nine-speed and Allison six-speed
Brakes: Drums
GVMs: 24 tonnes (6x4s); 30 tonnes (8x4s).
Iveco
Iveco has the new ACCO 6x4 and 8x4 models and the Stralis range in 6x2, 6x4 and 8x4 configurations. The ACCO has a full suite of electronic dynamic safety aids, but the Stralis has only ABS/ASR.
The ACCO is powered by Iveco’s Cursor 9, Euro VI, 8.7-litre engine rated to either 310hp/1300Nm or 360hp/1650Nm. An engine brake is standard.
The standard transmission is an Allison 3200 Series six-speed torque converter automatic, with PTO and retarder options.
Iveco nine-tonnes-capacity front axles are load sharing in 8x4 models and the rear tandem on both ACCO models is Meritor’s MT23, rated at 23 tonnes, fitted with power divider and across-axle diff locks. Brakes are Knorr discs all around.
The Stralis 6x2 is powered by a Cursor 8 engine, rated at 360hp/1500Nm, coupled to a ZF Eurotronic 12AS 12-speed automated manual transmission, with optional retarder.
A Meritor MS13 drive axle and tag axle mount on eight-bag air suspension and brakes are Knorr discs all around.
Stralis 6x4 and 8x4 models have Euro V Cursor 13 outputs of either 450hp/2200Nm or 500hp/2300Nm, with engine brakes and ZF Eurotronic 16-speed automated manual transmissions.
Meritor MT23 tandems mount on eight-bag air suspension and brakes are Knorr discs all around.
Quick specs
Engines: 310hp/1300Nm or 360hp/1650Nm (ACCO); 450hp/2200Nm or 500hp/2300Nm (Stralis)
Transmissions: ZF Eurotronic 12-speed (ACCO) or 16-speed (Stralis)
Brakes : Discs
GVMs: 25 tonnes (ACCO and Stralis 6x4); 28.5 tonnes (ACCO 8x4); 31 tonnes (Stralis 8x4).
Kenworth
Kenworth’s T360 and T410 6x4, 8x4 and 10x4 rigid trucks have a full suite of electronic dynamic safety aids.
Power comes from Cummins ISL E5 engines with ratings from 280hp/980Nm up to 400hp/1700Nm.
Transmission choices include Eaton 9-, 13- and 18-speeds; Ultrashift 9- and 18-speed automated manuals and Allison 3200, 3500 and 4440 series torque converter automatics.
Front and rear axles are choices of several Dana or Meritor options, with load-sharing on twin-steer models. Tag axles are available on 8x4s to create 10x4 trucks.
Suspensions are leaf front springs and KW Airglide 400, eight-bag air rears. 10x4s have Airglide 600 suspension.
Brakes are drum or disc all around.
The Kenworth T410 is available in 6x4 and 8x4 configurations, both powered by a PACCAR MX13 engine rated at 400hp/2300Nm or 510hp/2500Nm.
Transmissions choices are Eaton 18-speed manual or Ultrashift automated manual, or ZF 12-speed AMT.
Axle and brake choices are the same as for the T360.
Quick specs
Engines: 280hp/980Nm up to 400hp/1700Nm Cummins ISL (T360) and 400hp/2300Nm or 510hp/2500Nm PACCAR MX13 (T410).
Transmissions: Eaton manuals and Ultrashift AMTs and ZF 12-speed AMT.
Brakes: Drums or optional discs
GVMs: 25 tonnes (6x4) up to 36 tonnes (10x4).
Mack
Mack’s Metro-Liner has ABS brakes with optional traction control and ESP roll-over prevention systems.
Power comes from a Cummins ISL E5 engine, rated at 320hp/1350Nm up to 400hp/1700Nm, with C-brake engine brake rated at 185kW.
Transmission choices are Eaton 11- and 13-speed manuals; Ultrashift 13-speed automated manual and Allison 3200 or 4440 series torque converter automatics. An Allison retarder is optional behind the 340hp engine.
Axles are Mack or Meritor steers, with Meritor RT-40, RT-46 or Dana DSH40P drive tandems on Meritor MaxLite or HN air suspensions. Hendrickson’s HLM2/AL460 tag axle kit is fitted to 10x4 models.
Quick specs
Engine: 320hp/1350Nm up to 400hp/1700Nm
Transmissions: Eaton 11- and 13-speed manuals; Ultrashift 13-speed automated manual and Allison 3200 or 4440
Brakes: Drums or optional discs (6x4 with Meritor front axle)
GVMs: 26 tonnes (6x4); 30 tonnes (8x4); 33 tonnes (10x4).
MAN
MAN rigids have ABS/ASR and ESP.
The TGM 6x2 model is powered by MAN’s Euro 5, 6.9-litre engine, rated at 285hp/1150Nm and with a standard exhaust brake. The transmission is a ZF AS-tronic, 12-speed automated manual.
Axles are MAN, with a 6.3 tonnes-rated steer axle on parabolic leaves and the rear tandem on eight-bag air suspension. The drive axle has a standard diff lock.
Brakes are discs all around.
Quick specs
Engine: 285hp/1150Nm
Transmission: 12-speed AMT
Brakes: Discs
GVM: 23 tonnes.
Mercedes-Benz
Daimler is largely content to leave the rigid truck market to its Freightliner and Fuso subsidiaries, except in the case of the vocational Econic 4x2, 6x2, 6x4 and 8x4 town trucks that come with a full suite of electronic dynamic safety systems.
Power comes from a 7.7-litre OM936LA engine rated at 270hp/1200Nm up to 354hp/1400Nm. The transmission choices are an Allison 3000P, six-speed torque converter automatic, or M-B PowerShift 12-speed automated manual.
Suspension is adjustable-height air all around and 6x2s have steerable tag axles.
Quick specs
Engine: 270hp/1200Nm up to 354hp/1400Nm
Transmission: Allison six-speed torque converter automatic, or M-B PowerShift 12-speed automated manual
Brakes: Discs
GVMs: 18 tonnes (4x2); 26 tonnes (6x2 and 6x4); 32 tonnes (8x4).
Scania
Scania’s P-cab models come with a full suite of electronic dynamic safety systems.
The heavy rigids are 6x2, 8x2 and 8x4 models. The P320 6x2 and P320 8x2 are powered by Scania’s 320hp/1600Nm, Euro 6, 9.3-litre engine and the P360 8x2 has that engine at 360hp/1700Nm.
And Scania has recently released the new P280 7.0-litre with 280hp/1200Nm in 6x2 and 6x4.
The P450 8x4 model is powered by Scania’s Euro 5, 13-litre engine, rated at 450hp/2350Nm.
The P320s have Scania’s 12-speed transmission as standard, with Opticruise automated manual optional. The P360 and P450 trucks have Opticruise standard. All these P models have standard retarders.
The 6x2s have leaf spring front suspension, but all twin-steer models have load-sharing, air front suspension. All rear suspensions are Scania-air.
Axle/suspension ratings are 14.2 tonnes, twin-steer front (7.1 tonnes 6x2) and 19-tonnes-tandem, rear.
Brakes are discs all around.
Quick specs
Engines: 320hp/1600Nm and 360hp/1700Nm (9.3-litre); 450hp/2350Nm (13-litre)
Transmissions: 12-speed manual and Opticruise automated manual
Brakes: Discs
GVMs: 25 tonnes to 32 tonnes.
UD
UD has two truck ranges in the heavy rigid category: the weirdly-named Croner and Quon.
The Croner rigids are 4x2 and 6x2 models that have satnav, telematics, driver information and ABS brakes.
Power comes from a Euro 5 UD 7.7-litre engine, rated at 280hp at 2200rpm, with peak torque of 1050Nm at 1100rpm. The transmission is a six-speed, Allison 3000 series, torque converter automatic.
Axles are UD’s 6.5 tonnes front and 11 tonnes rear drive axle. The 6x2 model couples that drive axle with a liftable tag axle. Rear suspension on 4x2 is leaf or two-bag air and on 6x2s, four-bag air.
Brakes are S-cam drums.
The Quon rigid trucks have a full suite of electronic dynamic safety systems.
The range starts with the Euro 6, 7.7 litre engine, with 357hp and 1430Nm, driving through a 12-speed automated manual transmission. Models are 6x2, 6x4 and 8x4. An Allison 3200 series six-speed torque converter automatic is optional on the 8x4.
Front suspensions are leaf and rears are eight-bag air. The 8x4 model has optional steel spring rear suspension.
Quon 11-litre rigid trucks have similar specifications to the 7.7-litre modes, but are powered by a 10.8-litre engine, rated at 390hp/1750Nm in 6x2 and optionally 420hp/1900Nm in the 8x4, and optionally 460hp/2200Nm in 6x4 models.
Brakes on Quon trucks are discs all around.
Quick specs
Engines: 280hp/1050Nm (7.7-litre); 390hp/1750Nm, 420hp/1900Nm or 460hp/2200Nm (10.8-litre)
Transmissions: Allison Auto or 12-speed AMT
Brakes: Drums (Croner); discs (Quon)
GVM: 24.5 tonnes (Croner and Quon 6x2s); 26 tonnes (Quon 6x4) 28.5 tonnes (Quon 7.7-litre 8x4); 32 tonnes (Quon 10.8-litre 8x4).
Volvo
Volvo’s rigid-truck models in this weight class are the FE 6x2 and 6x4, and the FM 6x4 and 8x4. All have a full suite of electronic dynamic safety aids.
FE power comes from Volvo’s 7.7-litre engine that’s rated at 280hp/1050Nm; 320hp/1200Nm or 350hp/1400Nm.
The FM is powered by Volvo’s 11-litre or 13-litre engines. The 11-litre ratings are 370hp/1750Nm; 410hp/1900Nm and 450hp/2150Nm. The 13-litre is rated at 460hp/2300Nm and 500hp/2500Nm.
FMX models have raised ground clearance, reduced front overhang and optional drum brakes.
Transmissions are a choice of 12-speed I-Shift automated manuals or a six-speed torque converter automatic.
Front suspensions are leaf and rears, eight-bag air and across-axle diff locks are standard.
Quick specs
Engines: 280hp/1050Nm up to 350hp/1400Nm (7.7-litre); 370hp/1750Nm up to 450hp/2300Nm (11-litre) and 460hp/2300Nm and 500hp/2500Nm (13-litre)
Transmissions: Manuals, I-Shift automated manuals and six-speed auto
Brakes: Discs (optional drums on FMX)
GVMs: 25 tonnes up to 32 tonnes.
Western Star
The Western Star 4700 6x4 and 8x4 models have ABS and traction control, plus optional ESP.
Power comes from the 8.9-litre, Cummins ISL E5 rated from 280hp up to 400hp and fitted with standard Jacobs C-Brake.
Transmission choices are Eaton manuals and Ultrashift automated manuals, with Allison six-speed, torque converter automatic options.
The front axle is Meritor FG941 on the 6x4 and load-sharing Meritor MS14 on the 8x4. The rear axle tandem is Dana DDH, or Meritor options.
Front suspension is leaf spring, with Airliner, TuffTrac and Hendrickson rear suspension options.
Brakes are S-cam drums.
Quick specs
Engine: 280hp/980Nm up to 400hp/1700Nm (Cummins ISL E5)
Transmissions: Eaton manuals and Ultrashift automated manuals; Allison six-speed auto
Brakes: Drums
GVMs: 25 tonnes up to 32 tonnes.
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