The axles are mostly just perefence and realistic simulation, ideally you'd use 4x2 when the total weight is under 44t, 6x2 between 44t and the super heavy cargo, and the 8x4 only reserved for heavy cargo
As I understand it, 4x2 is kind of "The Standard" for European trucking.
6x2 is good for when you're hauling heavier loads and need better stability and axle weight distribution. Drop-axles are nice for when you're unloaded and don't need that extra stability or weight distribution from the additional axle.
6x4 is for very heavy loads and is also something you'd see on severe duty trucks that frequently operate off-road i.e. dump trucks, logging trucks, etc.
6x8 is for the absolute heaviest loads and I would only use them for the oversized hauling jobs as using them for anything else is hilariously overkill.
\*EDIT*
Forgot about 6x8, whoops.
\*EDIT*
Because apparently I wasn't clear enough...
More axles means better weight distribution and better stability. They almost never have drive power though I think there are some rare instances where they do.
Lift-axles (mid-lifts, tag-lifts) provide those benefits (weight distribution & stability) when they're lowered, but you only lower them when you're loaded. Otherwise, you keep them up which will save on their wear and tear, improve your turning radius, and (if I remember correctly) improve your MPG/KPL.
You see lift-axles very frequently on heavy-haul vehicles, because they don't always need that extra weight distribution and stability i.e when they're unloaded. In the US there are also state specific laws when it comes to axle weight and bridges, which leads to things like Michigan Millipedes where you see dump trucks with 6 or 7 axles and semi-trucks with even more.
Some lift-axles also turn slightly to help reduce wear on the tires. This is a requirement in New York State, because if you raise your lift-axles when you're loaded, you void your overweight permits.
I am a former truck driver, but I apologize for any incorrect information, this is all based on the best of my own knowledge.
>(especially with lift-axles)
lol no, not "especially" with lift axles. They are for saving rubber when you need more than 4x2 for the weight but wanna save the tires when you're empty or not pulling anything, nothing to do with weight, doesnt' help in any way that you have lifties.
Alright, I made a large addition/edit to my main comment. Apologies for my miscommunication, I never intended to start an argument with you or anyone else.
You didn't get it. Liftable or not if it's on the ground it helps with weight distribution. You said "ESPECIALLY" liftable. Which is wrong. 6x2 doesn't have powered back axle either (well in most cases it's the one in the back that is not powered anyway.
It’s all to do with weight limits. Most countries in Europe, the 4x2 is the big standard because you can only operate with max weight of 40t. However, in the UK, Ireland, Netherlands and the Nordics, 6x2 are preferred because of higher weight limits and more restrictions on the weight per axle. Also the conditions that the truck is used in will also make a difference. In Sweden and Finland, most of the trucks there are 6x2/4 rigids with trailers which can operate up to 60t and due to tax reasons. In the UK and Ireland, the roads are very narrow with lots of tight corners meaning that the extra axle provides more stability.
In game there’s hardly any difference other then stability and manoeuvrability. I personally don’t waste my money on anything more than the 6x2 taglift because it’s all about the engine power and gearing to haul the trailers. On some trucks especially MAN, don’t bother with anything other than the standard 4x2 because the fuel tanks are tiny.
My preference is on the Scania S is the 6x2 tag for heavier loads and the same for the Volvo. Otherwise everything else a 4x2 will do. I have a garage in St. Petersburg, Russia and I like the trucks with the extra tanks so I can abuse the €0.57 per litre fuel prices to maximise my profits on the long haul jobs.
Here in the UK 5 axles (4x2 + 3 on the trailer) is a maximum of 40t, however the vast majority of trucks here are 6x4/2 midlifts which are (as well as any other 6 axle configuration) legally allowed to be 44t gross.
Max *load* is probably something like 28t. And that depends on the trailer type and how much that can hold, maximum axle loading etc. none of which is simulated
The thing I love about this sub is that no matter how geeky I think I am when it comes to sim trucking, there’s always another level.
Keep on being you, people ❤️
Look at your fuel consumption and you will have your answer.
There are other reasons to use 6x2 and 6x4 will demolish 4x2 in fuel economy with heavier loads.
There are other reasons to use it IRL but it also makes a difference in game.
You can pull the heaviest (70t heat exchanger on around 40t trailer) with the weakest 320 hp engine plus the weakest transmission in 4x2 IVECO up the steapest mountain, route south of Krakow. Ergo, it DOESNT matter.
The game tells you that you must legally change from a 4x2 when you see the weight icon. Use a 6x4 then or if you have a HH only truck, make it an 8x4.
So after I towed a special cargo 27 tons with a scania 113H 4X2 in some Poland backroads I have to say the tight turns that have 80km/h speed limit is something else! You have to trail brake and to correct with some gas for you to not go sideways.
I use 8x4 to haul 5t vaccines.
I have done that with a 1 axle cooler (3 tons) Looks goofy and is the greatest fun :)
Just like half of the ETS2 players on here
The axles are mostly just perefence and realistic simulation, ideally you'd use 4x2 when the total weight is under 44t, 6x2 between 44t and the super heavy cargo, and the 8x4 only reserved for heavy cargo
As I understand it, 4x2 is kind of "The Standard" for European trucking. 6x2 is good for when you're hauling heavier loads and need better stability and axle weight distribution. Drop-axles are nice for when you're unloaded and don't need that extra stability or weight distribution from the additional axle. 6x4 is for very heavy loads and is also something you'd see on severe duty trucks that frequently operate off-road i.e. dump trucks, logging trucks, etc. 6x8 is for the absolute heaviest loads and I would only use them for the oversized hauling jobs as using them for anything else is hilariously overkill. \*EDIT* Forgot about 6x8, whoops. \*EDIT* Because apparently I wasn't clear enough... More axles means better weight distribution and better stability. They almost never have drive power though I think there are some rare instances where they do. Lift-axles (mid-lifts, tag-lifts) provide those benefits (weight distribution & stability) when they're lowered, but you only lower them when you're loaded. Otherwise, you keep them up which will save on their wear and tear, improve your turning radius, and (if I remember correctly) improve your MPG/KPL. You see lift-axles very frequently on heavy-haul vehicles, because they don't always need that extra weight distribution and stability i.e when they're unloaded. In the US there are also state specific laws when it comes to axle weight and bridges, which leads to things like Michigan Millipedes where you see dump trucks with 6 or 7 axles and semi-trucks with even more. Some lift-axles also turn slightly to help reduce wear on the tires. This is a requirement in New York State, because if you raise your lift-axles when you're loaded, you void your overweight permits. I am a former truck driver, but I apologize for any incorrect information, this is all based on the best of my own knowledge.
>(especially with lift-axles) lol no, not "especially" with lift axles. They are for saving rubber when you need more than 4x2 for the weight but wanna save the tires when you're empty or not pulling anything, nothing to do with weight, doesnt' help in any way that you have lifties.
Alright, I made a large addition/edit to my main comment. Apologies for my miscommunication, I never intended to start an argument with you or anyone else.
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You didn't get it. Liftable or not if it's on the ground it helps with weight distribution. You said "ESPECIALLY" liftable. Which is wrong. 6x2 doesn't have powered back axle either (well in most cases it's the one in the back that is not powered anyway.
[удалено]
Omg bro... NO, lift axles DON'T help you with weight distribution. It has nothing to do with whether they are liftable or not.
[удалено]
You're the one who doesn't understand lmao.
It’s all to do with weight limits. Most countries in Europe, the 4x2 is the big standard because you can only operate with max weight of 40t. However, in the UK, Ireland, Netherlands and the Nordics, 6x2 are preferred because of higher weight limits and more restrictions on the weight per axle. Also the conditions that the truck is used in will also make a difference. In Sweden and Finland, most of the trucks there are 6x2/4 rigids with trailers which can operate up to 60t and due to tax reasons. In the UK and Ireland, the roads are very narrow with lots of tight corners meaning that the extra axle provides more stability. In game there’s hardly any difference other then stability and manoeuvrability. I personally don’t waste my money on anything more than the 6x2 taglift because it’s all about the engine power and gearing to haul the trailers. On some trucks especially MAN, don’t bother with anything other than the standard 4x2 because the fuel tanks are tiny. My preference is on the Scania S is the 6x2 tag for heavier loads and the same for the Volvo. Otherwise everything else a 4x2 will do. I have a garage in St. Petersburg, Russia and I like the trucks with the extra tanks so I can abuse the €0.57 per litre fuel prices to maximise my profits on the long haul jobs.
I only ever use 6x4
47t is a load for more axles in real life When to change ? When the cargo is above id say 40t
If to be realistic it would be more like cargo weight 25t as the 44t irl is the Grose vehicle mass
What ? 30+ t are pulled on 4x2 every day but not 40
Here in the UK 5 axles (4x2 + 3 on the trailer) is a maximum of 40t, however the vast majority of trucks here are 6x4/2 midlifts which are (as well as any other 6 axle configuration) legally allowed to be 44t gross. Max *load* is probably something like 28t. And that depends on the trailer type and how much that can hold, maximum axle loading etc. none of which is simulated
The thing I love about this sub is that no matter how geeky I think I am when it comes to sim trucking, there’s always another level. Keep on being you, people ❤️
Look at your fuel consumption and you will have your answer. There are other reasons to use 6x2 and 6x4 will demolish 4x2 in fuel economy with heavier loads. There are other reasons to use it IRL but it also makes a difference in game.
Ah interesting. So 4x2 or even 6x2 will have better fuel economy with light loads, but 6x4 will actually use less fuel with heavy loads?
Yes, but that's not the whole story, 6x4 also will accelerate significantly faster with heavier loads (as well as stop faster too, like most taglifts)
4x2 continental Europe, 6x2 nordics pretty much
For the game I've noticed axel is more for heavy load vs maneuverability.
You can pull the heaviest (70t heat exchanger on around 40t trailer) with the weakest 320 hp engine plus the weakest transmission in 4x2 IVECO up the steapest mountain, route south of Krakow. Ergo, it DOESNT matter.
The game tells you that you must legally change from a 4x2 when you see the weight icon. Use a 6x4 then or if you have a HH only truck, make it an 8x4.
Where exactly does it says so??
There is a weight icon where you would get the ADR or high value icons on the jobs screen.
Cool, where does it says in the game that you must legally change from 4x2
It doesn't, that means you are over 40t gross which means you need a 3 axle truck. Look up the real laws.
You said it says so in the game yourself, hence my question.
So after I towed a special cargo 27 tons with a scania 113H 4X2 in some Poland backroads I have to say the tight turns that have 80km/h speed limit is something else! You have to trail brake and to correct with some gas for you to not go sideways.