8X8 steering

Hi ppl,
I noticed that 8X8 trucks (MAN, TATRA) have 2 front steering axles. Is
that required, or is that just a military requirement?

Rahul Bhargav schrieb:

> Hi ppl,
> I noticed that 8X8 trucks (MAN, TATRA) have 2 front steering axles. Is
> that required, or is that just a military requirement?

That's absolutely required, a single steered pair of wheels won't pull the
rest of them six into direction. Also decreases tire wear.

BR,
Axel
(btw, try to turn a tandem trailer by hand, you'll see ;-)

On 14 Nov 2004 21:29:11 -0800, (Rahul Bhargav)
wrote:

>Hi ppl,
>I noticed that 8X8 trucks (MAN, TATRA) have 2 front steering axles. Is
>that required, or is that just a military requirement?


It is only required if you wish to steer. If you are content in going
straight, then you don't need it! <g>

I think you are asking is must all front axels be steered? If this is
what you are asking, the answer is yes, otherwise the unsteered axel
will scuff and make turning very difficult.

Rahul Bhargav wrote:
> Hi ppl,
> I noticed that 8X8 trucks (MAN, TATRA) have 2 front steering axles. Is
> that required, or is that just a military requirement?

It's better to have bogie axles both front and rear than a single front
axle and a triple rear since it spreads the load better. Obviously, for
an off road vehicle that's essential. There're also places where 8x4 on
road trucks a common (UK?) because of weight regulations.

One thing I've wondered about trucks with two front steering axles is
whether it's better from a blow out point of view. On a truck with a
single front axle the driver is likely to lose control but that's not
necessarily true on a 8x4/8x8 truck. On the flip side, the risk of
getting a blow out increases with two front axles. The question is,
which is better?


Ulf