Heavy-duty truck guide

In this guide we’ve covered heavy trucks that are primarily intended for operation with combination trailers - B-Double, A-Double or multi-axle dog trailers - in 6x4 configuration.

We’ve selected minimum power/torque figures of 530hp/2500Nm and 70 tonnes GCM rating for this linehaul class.

The truck makes are listed alphabetically, not in order of market share, specification or price.

The DAF XF FTT 6x4 prime mover has state-of-the-art Euro specification, with a full suite of electronic active safety aids. There is also a choice of Comfort Cab, Space Cab and Super Space Cab options; all with the same 2250mm bumper to back of cab dimension, but with different roof heights.

All cabs sit on the standard 3900mm wheelbase.

The only engine offered in the DAF XF lineup is Paccar’s MX-13, 13-litre diesel six, with 530hp/2600Nm and the transmission is a ZF TraXon 16-speed automated manual, with optional ZF Intarder, hydraulic retarder.

The XF uses DAF’s 7.5-tonnes-capacity front axle with 7.1-tonnes-rated parabolic-leaf suspension. The drive axles are an SR1360T tandem, rated at 18.1 tonnes, on electronically-controlled, eight-bag air suspension.

Quick specs

Engine: 530hp/2600Nm
Transmission: ZF TraXon 16-speed automated manual with optional retarder
Brakes: Discs front and rear
GVM: 25.2 tonnes
GCM: 70 tonnes

Freightliner’s Cascadia 126 6x4 has a full suite of safety equipment. The 126 model is a longer-bonnet version of the Cascadia 116 and this 3.2-metre bumper to back of day-cab (BBC) dimension allows installation of the DD16, 16-litre diesel six.

Optional integrated sleeper cabs are 36-, 48- and 60-inch XT models and a 60-inch RR.

Power choices are: 530hp/2500Nm up to 600hp/2800Nm.

Transmission choices are Eaton 18-speeds or Detroit DT-12, 12-speed automated manual.

Front axles are Detroit DA-F 7.2 tonnes capacity, or Meritor FG-941, 6.6 tonnes capacity, on Freightliner taper-leaf springs. Drive axles are Meritor RT46-160 GP tandem, with inter-axle and across-axle diff locks, on Freightliner AirLiner 46K air suspension.

Brakes are Meritor Q+ drums, or optional Bendix ADB22X discs. Wabco 6S/6M ABS and ESC are standard.

Quick specs

Engine: 530hp/2500Nm; 560hp/2500Nm; 560hp/2800Nm; 600hp/2500Nm and 600hp/2800Nm.
Transmissions: Eaton RTLO-18918B or Eaton RTLO-20918B18-speeds; Detroit DT-12, 12-speed automated manual
Brakes: Drums (discs optional)
GVM: 26 tonnes
GCM: 70-106 tonnes

Iveco has the Stralis X-Way 6x4 prime mover, with a full suite of electronic dynamic safety aids. A high-roof sleeper cab with aerodynamic aids is standard.

The X-Way is powered by Iveco’s Cursor 13, Euro 6, 12.9-litre engine, rated at either 510hp/2300Nm or 550hp/2500Nm.

The transmission is a Hi-Tronix 16-speed automated manual, with standard hydraulic retarder on B-Double-rated trucks.

An Iveco nine-tonnes-capacity front axle is mounted on two-leaf parabolic springs, rated at eight tonnes capacity.

The rear tandem is Meritor’s MT23-150D, rated at 23 tonnes, fitted with power divider and across-axle diff locks. Rear suspension is eight-bag air and brakes are Knorr discs all around.

Quick specs

Engines: 510hp/2300Nm or 550hp/2500Nm
Transmission: Hi-Tronix 16-speed automated manual with hydraulic retarder
Brakes : Discs
GVM: 25 tonnes
GCM: 70 tonnes (550hp); 60 tonnes (510hp)

Kenworth’s T and K Series 6x4 trucks now have a full suite of electronic dynamic safety aids. The bonneted linehaulers are principally T610 and T610 SAR; T659 and T909 models. The K220 is a COE prime mover.

T Series cabs vary from day cabs to sleepers and aero sleepers, with dimensions between 36 inches and 50 inches. The K220 day cab measures only 1.7 metres from bumper to back of cab (BBC) and the sleeper options are 2.3-metre BBC flat-roof, 2.3-metre aero roof and 2.8-metre aero roof.

Power comes from Cummins ISX E5 and E6 engines with ratings of 525hp/2500Nm up to 600hp/3050Nm.

Transmission choices are Eaton manual 18-speeds and Ultrashift 18-speed automated manuals.

Front axles are choices of Dana or Meritor, with ratings from 6.6 tonnes to 7.3 tonnes. Drive tandems are Dana D46 and D50, or Meritor RT46, RT50 and RT52 series.

Suspensions are leaf front springs and KW Airglide 400 or 460 eight-bag air rears, with Neway AD246 and Henrickson PAX 462 options.]

Brakes are drums standard and discs optional.

Quick specs

Engines: 525hp/2500Nm up to 600hp/2800Nm
Transmissions: Eaton 18-speed manuals and Ultrashift AMTs
Brakes: Drums or optional discs
GVM: 25 tonnes
GCM: 97 tonnes

Mack’s Anthem, Trident and Super-Liner linehaul trucks all have Bendix Wingman Fusion dynamic safety features.

The Anthem cabs are day, 28-inch extended day cab and 36-inch sleeper; Tridents have day, 40-inch, 46-inch and 52-inch mid-rise sleeper choices, and 36-inch or 52-inch high-rise and Super-Liners have day, 36-inch mid-rise integrated and 60-inch separate sleepers, or 52-inch high-rise.

Power for the Anthem and Trident models comes from the Mack MP8, 13-litre engine, rated up to 535hp/2600Nm, with standard engine brake rated at 495hp (370kW).

The Super-Liner is powered by Mack’s MP10, 16-litre engine, rated at 600hp/2800Nm or 685hp/3200Nm.

The standard transmission is a Mack 12-speed mDrive automated manual, with 13-speed or 14-speed deep reduction ratios optional. Also optional on the Trident is Eaton’s RTLO20918, 18-speed manual.

The front axle is Mack’s FXL beam, rated at 6.6 tonnes, mounted on parabolic or multi-leaf springs. Drive tandems are Meritor RT46-160GP, MT-40-14XGP or Mack 2370B, with Mack AL, AP or MaxLite air suspensions.

Brakes are drums standard and discs optional.

Quick specs

Engines: 535hp/2600Nm (13-litre); 600hp/2800Nm or 685hp/3200Nm
Transmissions: Mack mDrive 12-, 13- or 14-speed automated manuals, or Eaton 18-speed manual (Trident)
Brakes: Drums or optional discs
GVMs: 29 - 31 tonnes
GCMs: 70-90 tonnes

MAN TGX trucks were upgraded in mid-2022 and have a full suite of dynamic safety systems.

The MAN linehaul double starts with the TGX 540 model that is powered by MAN’s Euro 5, 12.4-litre engine, rated at 540hp/2500Nm and with a standard exhaust brake.

The TGX 26.580 and TGX 26.640 models are powered by MAN’s 15.2-litre engine, rated at 580hp/2900Nm or 640hp/3000Nm.

The transmission behind both engines is a ZF AS-tronic, 12-speed automated manual.

Axles are MAN, with a 9.2 tonnes-rated steer axle on parabolic leaves and the rear tandem of twin 13-tonnes-rated axles on 23-tonnes-rated, eight-bag air suspension. The drive axles have standard diff locks.

Brakes are discs all around.

Quick specs

Engines: 540hp/2500Nm (12.4-litre); 580hp/2900Nm or 640hp/3000Nm (15.2-litre)
Transmission: 12-speed AMT
Brakes: Discs
GVM: 26 tonnes
GCM: 70-90 tonnes

Three Mercedes-Benz Actros models meet our linehaul criteria: M-cab Classic Space; L-cab Classic Space and L-cab Stream Space (flat floor). All variants have a full suite of dynamic safety systems.

The M-cab and L-cab have a 2.3-metre bumper to back of cab dimension and 170mm-high engine tunnel, while the Stream Space measures 2.5 metres BBC, with a flat cab floor.

The model offerings in all cab configurations are 2653, 2658 and 2663, with power coming from Mercedes-Benz’ OM471, 12.8-litre six, rated at 530hp/2600Nm (2653), or OM473, 15.6-litre six, rated at 578hp/2800Nm (2658) or 625hp/3000rpm (2663).

The transmission is a 12-speed PowerShift automated manual: G281 behind the OM471 and G330 behind the OM473.

The front axle is a M-B beam, rated at eight tonnes, on three-leaf parabolic springs, or optional 7.5-tonnes capacity axle/suspension under the OM471 engine.

The rear tandem is a pair of M-B 13-tonnes capacity drive axles with across-axle locks, on eight-bag air suspension. A M-B hub reduction tandem is optional and comes with a 16-speed transmission, behind the OM473 engine.

Brakes are standard discs.

Quick specs

Engine: 530hp/2600Nm (12.8-litre); 578hp/2800Nm or 625hp/3000rpm (15.6-litre)
Transmissions: M-B PowerShift 12-speed automated manual (16-speed optional with OM473)
Brakes: Discs
GVM: 26 tonnes
GCMs: 70 tonnes (OM471); 106 tonnes (OM473)

Scania’s G-, R- and S-cab models come with a full suite of electronic dynamic safety systems.

The G-cab can be a day cab, or low-height or high-roof sleeper; the R-cab can be a low-roof or normal day cab, or low-, normal- and high-roof sleeper; the flat-floor S-cab can be a normal or high-roof sleeper.

Engine choices in the G-series are Scania’s 13-litre six, in standard or ‘super’ specification, at 540hp/2700Nm or 560hp/2800Nm.

The R-series comes with the same 13-litre power choices, plus the 16-litre V8, rated at 530hp/2800Nm; 590hp/3050Nm; 660hp/3300Nm or 770hp/3700Nm.

Transmissions are Scania’s automated-manual Opticruise 14-speed in two models, or 12+2 speed synchromesh manuals. Scania Retarder and PTOs are optional.

Axle/suspension ratings are 7.1 tonnes front and 19-tonnes-tandem, rear. Across-axle diff locks are standard.

Brakes are discs all around.

Quick specs

Engines: 540hp/2700Nm or 560hp/2800Nm (13-litre); 530hp/2800Nm; 590hp/3050Nm; 660hp/3300Nm or 770hp/3700Nm (16-litre)
Transmissions: 14-speed Opticruise automated manual or 12+2 manual
Brakes: Discs
GVM: 25 tonnes
GCMs: 80 tonnes (single reduction tandem) 210 tonnes (hub reduction).

Volvo’s FH models come in three cab variants: Sleeper, with 2225mm BBC, High-roof Globetrotter XL with the same BBC and Globetrotter XXL, with 2.5m BBC. All have a full suite of electronic dynamic safety aids.

FH power comes from Volvo’s 12.8-litre engine, rated at 540hp/2600Nm, or 16-litre engine, rated at 600hp/2800Nm or 700hp/3150Nm. Engine and exhaust braking are standard.

The transmission is Volvo’s 12-speed I-Shift automated manual.

Front suspensions are leaf and rears, eight-bag air and across-axle diff locks are standard. Optional leaf-spring rear suspensions are available.

Brakes are discs all around.

Quick specs

Engines: 540hp/2600rpm (13-litre); 600hp/2800Nm or 700hp/3150Nm (16-litre)
Transmissions: 12-speed I-Shift automated manual
Brakes: Discs
GVM: 25 tonnes
GCM: 70-100 tonnes

The Western Star linehaul trucks are 4800, 4900 and 5800 models. All have Wabco ABS and traction control, plus optional ESP, ’Spotto’ blind-spot radar and Mobileye collision warning, but the forthcoming ‘X’ series will have full dynamic safety systems.

The 4800 forward-axle model has a 2.8m BBC cab, with optional 34-inch rest cab, or 40-inch and 54-inch high-roof sleepers.

The 4900 forward-axle model has a 3.1m BBC cab, with 54-inch high-roof sleeper.

The front axle on both models is a choice of Meritor FG941 or MFS73 beam on 7.3-tonnes rated taper leaves.

Power choices for both models are Detroit DD15 at 560hp/2500Nm and Cummins X15 at 550hp/2500Nm or 600hp/2800Nm.

The set-back-front-axle 5800 has a 2.8m BBC cab, with optional 40-inch high-roof sleeper. The 5800SS adds 34-inch low roof and 34-inch, 40-inch and 54-inch high-roof sleepers.

The front axle on both set-back front-axle models is the Meritor MFS73 beam on 7.3-tonnes rated taper leaves.

Power for both set-back front axle models comes from the Detroit DD15 at 560hp/2500Nm.

The standard rear tandem on all four trucks is an Eaton RT46-160GP, mounted on WS Airliner suspension. Across-axle diff locks are optional.

Transmissions are either Eaton’s 18-speed manual or Ultrashift automated manual.

Brakes are S-cam drums.

Quick specs

Engine: 560hp/2500Nm (DD15) and 550hp/2500Nm or 600hp/2800Nm (Cummins X15)
Transmissions: Eaton 18-speed manuals and Ultrashift automated manuals; Brakes: Drums
GVM: 25 tonnes
GCM: 70+ tonnes