MERITOR STEPS UP CAMPAIGN TO LEGALIZE 6×2 AXLES IN CANADA

As reported last time out in Hooked Up, the province of Ontario has finally announced it will allow full-length trailer tails through a deferred enforcement policy that will be in place until legislation can be modified to permanently allow their use. In doing so, Ontario becomes the first province to allow full-sized trailer tails. Now, attention will turn to 6×2 axle configurations, which aren’t yet allowed in Canada because a Memorandum of Understanding signed onto by all the provinces defines a tandem axle as one in which both axles carry within 1,000 kgs of the other’s weight at all times.

New 6x2s feature electronics that can shift the load to the driven axle in low-traction scenarios, meaning they don’t meet the definition of tandem axle, even though the load-shifting occurs temporarily and only at low speeds.

Meritor has stepped up its efforts to have advanced 6×2 axles legalized in Canada, and has brought on-board competitor Bendix, the NACFE research group and a couple of high-profile fleets. The company last week released this nine-minute video that makes the case for 6x2s – or at least giving fleets the option to decide for themselves whether or not the technology will benefit them. The 400-lb weight savings can translate into a notable fuel economy improvement and there are maintenance benefits to be had as well. You can read more and check out the video here. Or you can read more about the legislative hurdles here. In addition to the video, Meritor has come out with a new Web site at 6x2Facts.com, which looks to dispel some myths about the technology.

 

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James Menzies is editorial director of Today's Trucking and TruckNews.com. He has been covering the Canadian trucking industry for more than 24 years and holds a CDL. Reach him at james@newcom.ca or follow him on Twitter at @JamesMenzies.


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