The T880 has revolutionized the vocational and heavy-haul segments of the trucking industry, and now it’s poised to make a deeper dent on the class 8 market with the added options of the set-forward design. Called T880s, the set forward sleeper should be popular with bulk commodities and flatbed transporters because it’s able to support greater “tongue weight.”
The Kenworth T880 is now available in a set-forward axle and sleeper configuration designed for long-haul applications. Until early 2019, the set-forward axle only came in a T880 day cab.
The T880 has revolutionized the vocational and heavy-haul segments of the trucking industry, and now it’s poised to make a deeper dent on the class 8 market with the added options of the set-forward design. Called T880s, the set forward sleeper should be popular with bulk commodities and flatbed transporters because it’s able to support greater “tongue weight.”
A set-back axle gives a driver better steering diameter, enhancing maneuverability, but it will lessen the ability to load the rear of the tractor. The set-forward axle configuration allows for heavier trailers to apply more weight to the rear axles of the tractor by offering a greater counter point to the payload.
In terms of driver interest, a set-forward axle truck has a smoother ride due to the fact the driver is further from the point where the axle interacts with the contours of the pavement. In today’s driver retention focused climate, adding a smoother ride is gaining traction with fleets.
The biggest driver of set-forward axles for long-haul movements is the Bridge Formula. Used by the USDOT, this formula establishes the maximum weight any set number of axles is allowed to carry on the Interstate highway system. These weight limits are determined by the length of the vehicle, the number of axles, and the distance at which the axles are spaced.
The bridge formula:
W= 500 [(LN/N-1) + 12N + 36]
W = the overall gross weight on any group of two or more consecutive axles to the nearest 500 pounds.
L = the distance in feet between the outer axles of any group of two or more consecutive axles.
N = the number of axles in the group under consideration