4x4 vs 6x6 off road
Discussion
what about 3rd axle location?
at the rear.. the trailing axle will scrub in tight turns, but i guess it will help with load carrying.
up front with twin steering, means you can run softer suspension up front for better flexing? but i guess it will be pretty hard to not completely tear up any terrain you pass over?
also, ive seen 6x6's with the axle to the rear, can have a tendency to lever the front VERY high up into the air causing it to slam down ( if driven like a european lol )
at the rear.. the trailing axle will scrub in tight turns, but i guess it will help with load carrying.
up front with twin steering, means you can run softer suspension up front for better flexing? but i guess it will be pretty hard to not completely tear up any terrain you pass over?
also, ive seen 6x6's with the axle to the rear, can have a tendency to lever the front VERY high up into the air causing it to slam down ( if driven like a european lol )
Edited by SystemParanoia on Monday 25th January 21:40
It depends on the terrain, different vehicles are suited to different things.
On soft ground 6x6 will be better assuming the vehicles are of similar ilk, as the weight is spread out over a larger area.
Also given the extra drive wheels there is more traction in slippery condition, and the rick of becoming cross axled is reduced, as you have to cross 3 axles instead of 2. This refers to your top picture.
The disadvantages of 6x6 come when traversing slopes as previously mentioned there is the potential for the front wheels to be pushed into the air before dropping back to the ground. Then the drag created by the extra fixed axle at the back causes reduced manoeuvrability.
The bottom 2 are of trucks, these are trucks designed originally for transporting supplies across remote parts of Russia, where the trucks needed to travel across rugged terrain whilst carrying a large load, so 6x6 is needed to take the weight of the load and supply extra traction. These trucks were later converted for truck trials. Incidentally the 1st of the 2 trucks is an 8x8.
But at the end of the day it's horses for courses, each drive type excels at what it's designed to do.
On soft ground 6x6 will be better assuming the vehicles are of similar ilk, as the weight is spread out over a larger area.
Also given the extra drive wheels there is more traction in slippery condition, and the rick of becoming cross axled is reduced, as you have to cross 3 axles instead of 2. This refers to your top picture.
The disadvantages of 6x6 come when traversing slopes as previously mentioned there is the potential for the front wheels to be pushed into the air before dropping back to the ground. Then the drag created by the extra fixed axle at the back causes reduced manoeuvrability.
The bottom 2 are of trucks, these are trucks designed originally for transporting supplies across remote parts of Russia, where the trucks needed to travel across rugged terrain whilst carrying a large load, so 6x6 is needed to take the weight of the load and supply extra traction. These trucks were later converted for truck trials. Incidentally the 1st of the 2 trucks is an 8x8.
But at the end of the day it's horses for courses, each drive type excels at what it's designed to do.
Awesome vid, made me realise how much I miss the european truck trials that used to come on euro sport back in the day 
I like how the front biased 6x6' behaved tho! Didn't catapault themselves into the air at all. But as expected the 2 axles took completely differing lines through the corners!
I like how the front biased 6x6' behaved tho! Didn't catapault themselves into the air at all. But as expected the 2 axles took completely differing lines through the corners!
SystemParanoia said:
We had those after the Stalwarts as limbers - rumour had it the procurement contract was the only thing which kept the company afloat as the vehicles were so bad. We couldn't wait for DROPS to arrive as they were always in the workshop.
some benefits of 6x6:
more traction due to more tyres= better control, better hill de/ascent, better terrain handling
better breakover angle for the same length 4x4
usually the front and rear axles have very good approach/departure angles
when setup right they can have spectacular ditch crossing abilities
better traction in certain designs that have cantelered rear pairs- each wheel can force the other onto the ground
you can keep going even with punctures on the rear axles
better load carrying over softground- weight is distributed better
sure there must be some more too
more traction due to more tyres= better control, better hill de/ascent, better terrain handling
better breakover angle for the same length 4x4
usually the front and rear axles have very good approach/departure angles
when setup right they can have spectacular ditch crossing abilities
better traction in certain designs that have cantelered rear pairs- each wheel can force the other onto the ground
you can keep going even with punctures on the rear axles
better load carrying over softground- weight is distributed better
sure there must be some more too
SystemParanoia said:
Ahh didn't realise it was an 8x8
I guess ill just have to make some rc models and see what happens
Thanks
A friend of mine scratch built a 1/8th scale model Alvis Stalwart 6x6. Powered by a model helicopter single cylinder engine mated to a 4 speed semi-automatic gearbox and true 6x6 drive. Goes like the clappers cross country! http://mikethorpemodels.co.uk/STALWART.aspxI guess ill just have to make some rc models and see what happens
Thanks
ETA: He also made an Alvis Saladin too. More detailed photos of the innards here: http://mikethorpemodels.co.uk/SALADIN.aspx
Edited by Zad on Friday 29th January 00:03
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