Mack Debuts Advantage Highway Chassis

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LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Mack Trucks, Inc. recently unveiled its new chassis, called Advantage, which the company is introducing to better serve the needs of highway customers. The new chassis will be used in all Mack Vision and CH models.

“Customer-driven innovation has always been key to our success,” said Tom Kelly, Mack vice-president of marketing. “And this new chassis continues that tradition. The various features we’ve incorporated into Advantage result in a wide range of benefits that can really have a positive impact on a customer’s bottom line.”

As an example, company officials pointed to the variety of Advantage frame rail options, which give customers the ability to precisely match rail size to their specific applications.

“With Advantage, customers can choose from four rail options – 6 mm, 7 mm, 8 mm and 9.5 mm – all with increased resistance bending moment, or RBM,” said Tom Davis, Mack marketing manager for highway products. “The increased RBM provides greater strength. Weight-sensitive bulk haulers will be pleased with the addition of the 7 mm rail, which has a higher RBM than our current 8 mm, but, depending upon wheelbase, is up to 100 pounds lighter. Less chassis weight means more payload.”

Advantage also provides up to 50-degree outside wheel cuts, dramatically improving turning diameter. An Advantage-equipped vehicle with a 185-inch wheelbase could have an improvement of up to 15 feet in turning diameter – a very significant number for customers who maneuver in and out of tight spaces.

Advantage offers enhanced riding and handling as well, attributable to a variety of features. The standard front taper leaf suspension has new taper leaf springs spaced slightly apart to reduce friction. And the spring rate has been reduced to provide a softer ride. An optional Hendrickson AIRTEK air-ride front axle-suspension combination not only provides a smooth ride, but additional weight savings as well.

Thanks to the Advantage combination of a new engine support crossmember and new cab mounting system, as well as new sound dampening material Mack is using in its cabs, noise and vibration levels have been significantly reduced.

Company officials also noted that there will be no upcharge associated with Advantage, meaning customers can get all of the aforementioned benefits at no additional cost. For more information, visit www.macktrucks.com

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