Cargo goes twin-steer
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• Iveco Ford has developed a low-kerbweight twin-steer version of its Cummins L10powered 38-tonne GCW Cargo tractive unit which is expected to go into full production before the end of the year.
The 6x2 Cargo is based on a conventional sleeper-cabbed 4x2 3828 Cargo. It has the same 216kW Ctunmins LTA10 290 engine, Fuller nine-speed gearbox and Rockwell U180 drive axle, but is built on an extra-long 3.85m wheelbase, using Cargo tipper chassis side-members.
The second, 6,100kgcapacity, positively-steered rear axle is added by York Transport Engineering, using a modified Cargo front axle assembly which is located by semi-elliptic steel leaf springs equipped with Dunlop Pneuride air bags. To aid traction the twinsteer's air bags can be deflated via a dash-mounted switch to put extra weight over the drive axle for a limited period.
Twin-steer Cargos will be produced as 4x 2 chassis at Langley, then shipped to York Transport Engineering at Corby along with wheels and axle components for final assembly as 6x2s.
An extra twin-steer 38-tonne Cargo tractive unit should enhance the appeal of L10powered 3828 range, and appeal to those distribution and trunldng operators — particularly in the own-account sector — who are looking for maximum loading flexibility at 38 tonnes but do not want to go to a premium vehicle like the Iveco Ford 220.30.
The kerbweight of the twinsteer Cargo is around 6,600kg without driver, fuel or fifth wheel, but including the standard sleeper cab and spare wheel.
A prototype twin-steer has already completed extensive evaluation trials with a number of Scottish operators and a further three pre-production vehicles will be built before the 6x2 goes into full production.
The twin-steer Cargo will be badged as the 40.28RS (RS for rear steer) in line with the current continental badging policy, although left-hand-drive units are not expected to be built in the near future.