The RoadRunner 2K: Six-By-Two: Would You Drive One?

With the increased push to get better and better fuel mileage, trucking companies and truck manufacturers are turning to radical ideas. From simple solutions such as full-length chassis and trailer skirts, roof airfoils, and air dams to more radical solutions such as trailer tails, super-single drive and trailer tires, hybrid engines, and fully automatic transmissions, trucking firms and truck manufacturers are seeking the best methods to cut fuel economy without reducing the truck's capability to haul freight.

On the other hand, to achieve revolutionary fuel mileage of 10 mpg and above, companies have to attempt even more extreme solutions. One of these solutions, which is being marketed by Freightliner in their new Cascadia Evolution truck, is the six-by-two axle configuration.

Freightliner Cascadia Evolution


Image Link

Instead of having eight powered wheels, these trucks only have four. Typically outfitted with a rear drive axle and a pusher mounted in front of it, a six-by-two truck requires less engine horsepower to push along its single powered axle. But as with other solutions, the question is: Would you as a professional driver operate one with confidence?

In truth, six-by-two configurations are quite common in Europe, but conditions in this part of the world are quite different. Hills are steeper, snows are deeper, and loads--particularly in Canada--are much heavier. Only time will tell if the six-by-two is worthy of the challenges that North America's roads present.

MAN 6x2 Tractor