Six-wheel drive
Six-wheel drive (6WD or 6×6) is an all-wheel drive drivetrain configuration of three axles with at least two wheels on each axle capable of being driven simultaneously by the vehicle's engine. Unlike four-wheel drive drivetrains, the configuration is largely confined to heavy-duty off-road and military vehicles, such as all-terrain vehicles, armored vehicles, and prime movers.
When such a vehicle only has six wheels by definition all are driven. When it has ten – with two pairs of ganged "dual" wheels on each rear axle as on a GMC CCKW – all are also driven but the 6×6 designation remains. For most military applications where traction/mobility are considered more important than payload capability, single wheels on each axle (often referred to as super singles) are the norm.
Heavy hauler and ballast tractor 6×6s have had a long history as prime movers both in the military (as tank transports and artillery tractors), and commercially in logging and heavy equipment hauling both on- and off-road.
Most six-wheel drive vehicles have a forward axle and two at the rear (with only the front pair steering), or three evenly spaced in varying steering configurations. Depending on the vehicle's role, the number of wheels varies between six (in three pairs) and ten (with two in the front and two dual axles with four wheels apiece in the rear). Drive may be limited to the rear two axles for on-road use.
Examples
Military
- British Alvis FV600 series: Saladin, Saracen, Salamander and Stalwart
- Finland Sisu SA-240 & SA-241
- French Renault TRM 10000
- French ACMAT VLRA
- German Mercedes-Benz G300 CDI G-Class 6x6
- German MAN/RMMV SX44
- German MAN LX and FX
- German RMMV HX58, HX61 & HX42M
- Austrian Pinzgauer High Mobility All-Terrain Vehicle
- Italian IVECO ASTRA tactical range SM66.40
- Poland Star 266
- Serbian FAP 2026
- U.S. M25 tank transporter
- U.S. Mack NO heavy cargo truck
- U.S. CCKW 2½ ton medium cargo truck
- U.S. M35 2½ ton medium cargo truck
- U.S. M939 heavy cargo truck
- U.S. MTVR all-terrain cargo truck
- U.S. FMTV MTV
- U.S. M123/123A, M125/125A prime mover/heavy cargo truck
Military/Commercial
- Canada Western Star Trucks
- Czech Tatra T815
- German Mercedes-Benz Actros
- German Mercedes-Benz Zetros
- Russian Ural-4320
- Russian ZIL 131
- Ukrainian KrAZ-255
- U.S. Oshkosh M911 (also produced as 8x6 with a liftable second axle)
Commercial
- Commercial 6×6 prime movers were made by Hayes Manufacturing and Pacific Trucks. which also produced heavy haul ballast tractors. The Freightliner Business Class M2 is a commercial medium-duty truck sold in the United States and available in a 6×6 configuration.
Conversions
- Six-by-six conversions of four-wheel drive trucks are made, such as the Australian Army's Perentie Land Rover Defender and "Landcruiser Sherman"), as are 6×4 versions (with only front and rear or front and middle axles driven).
Recreational ATV/UTV
- Polaris Industries has produced a number of 6 wheel drive ATVs and UTVs for many years now, based on a standard Magnum, Sportsman or Ranger with an extra axle and a Cargo Box over the rear wheels.
Concept cars
Concept car, testbed, and limited production commercial examples include:
6x6 Six Wheel Drive Jeep. Fully custom chassis, body and drive-line.
Twin front axle
- Covini C6W
- Ford Seattle-ite XXI (concept car)
- Panther 6
- Tyrrell P34
Twin rear axle
Gallery
10-wheel U.S. Army 6×6 M35 2½ ton cargo truck, with one front and two rear axles
6-wheel U.S. Marines 6×6 MTVR, with one front and two rear axles
Unusual two forward and one rear axle configuration of the Czech TATRAPAN
Hayes extra-heavy 6x6 (10-wheel) truck operated in Spain by Transportes Arbegui