India's top 10-wheel rigid trucks explored! 

Long haul transportation is one of the key segments of the Indian trucking industry. Fast-changing technologies and improving infrastructure paving ways for faster transportation of rated cargo. The multi-axle 10-wheel trucks are among the top volume category in India. Curious to know which are the best truck in this category? We help you find the top 5 trucks.

Two important regulatory changes took place in India that has altered the transport and logistics industry significantly in the last three years. The implementation of Goods and Service Tax (GST) has dismantled check-posts across states in India. Similarly, the increase in axle-load norms after 3-decades now allows trucks to carry more than 25% of extra cargo. This is coupled with more stringent emission norms with BS6 trucks-completely revamped by the OEMs.

Truck operating on the long-haul, interstate routes carrying heavy cargo certainly have increased the daily average speed as they no longer wait at the state's border. Similarly, the fast-developing expressways and highways also helping trucks to become more efficient. Transport companies, fleet-operators, and individual truck owners find the multi-axle truck more economical to run on long routes. The 10-wheel trucks most suitable on long routes- over the years, this truck category has expanded into a high volume segment. The 3-axles truck is 28,000 kg of gross vehicle weight category most popular category in India, and this also resulted in further expansion of the multi-axle category rigid segments. 

The 10-wheel, 3-axle trucks are used in various applications such as market load, tankers, LPG cylinders, e-commerce, parcel & logistics, FMCG, and white goods. We take a look at the top 5 trucks in this category. 

Tata LPT 2818

Tata Motors is the market leader in India's medium and heavy commercial vehicle. The company has the widest range of trucks available in its portfolio catering to various tonnage and applications. In the 10-wheel 3-axle category, the company has been a leader with its most reliable and highly efficient LPT 2818 Cowl. The company has over 62% market share in the category.

The truck comes with is dependable and proven powertrain with the Cummins ISBe 5.6 CR 180 HP engine with a fuel injection system and an innovative tool such as a 3-mode fuel economy switch along with gear shift advisor smooth driving and higher fuel economy. LPT 2818 is designed and developed to take on challenging long-haul cargo needs with a strong, efficient, and enhanced driveline. The robust chassis delivers superior load carrying capabilities, higher drivability, higher tyre mileage along with the best torque at the wheel.

Tata Motors has expanded products in this category to appeal to wider customers with higher power engine options and also Signa-factory fitted cabin variant too. 

Ashok Leyland 2820

Chennai based Ashok Leyland, the second largest medium and heavy-duty truck makers, also have an equally competitive truck in the 10-wheel category, which ranks the number two in the industry with nearly 28% market share. The all-new 2820 based on AVTR modular platform with Ashok Leyland in-house H series six-cylinder, CRS with iGen-6 technology BS6 engine, with 200HP of power and 700 Nm of torque sufficient for carrying full-load cargo. 

To appeal to more customers segment, 2820 is available in cowl & chassis, cabin & chassis, full side deck, and high side deck options along with cargo body options between 18-32 ft for variety of cargo-carrying needs. This truck is suitable for market load, tanker and reefer, and other applications, and customers can choose the economy, premium, or value cabin as per the truck usage. 

Eicher Pro 6028

Eicher Pro 6028 is another strong contender in the 10-wheel 3-axle truck category. The new Pro 6028 now gets the EUTECH BS6 technology and powertrain with highly durable aggregates and powerful engine. Pro 6028 packed with modern technologies such as cruise control, fuel coaching, MBooster+, and Eicher Live for higher utilisation of the fleet. 

To greater performance, it comes with Eicher VEDX5BS6 engine, producing 210hp of power at a maximum torque of 825 Nm, tuned to a 9-speed manual gearbox. Like the rest of the Pro series heavy-duty trucks, Pro 6028 gets a roomy sleeper cabin, body and chassis option, and customization of cargo body option. To make the cabin comfortable, it has an adjustable driver seat, tilt, and telescopic power steering and driver information system to navigate the truck effortlessly. 

Mahindra Blazo X 28

Blazo X 28 is Mahindra Trucks and Buses new heavy-duty rigid truck range comes with the promise of three key elements: extra mileage, extra power, and higher profit.

To take on the competition effectively, the Blazo X 28 comes with compelling set-of aggregates. The powertrain consists of an mPOWER 7.2-liter FuelSmart, multi-mode switches BS6 engine producing 276hp of power at massive 1050 Nm of torque tuned to a 6-speed Eaton gearbox. The steering is hydraulic power assist tilt & telescopic type for the smoother driving experience.  

BharatBenz 2823R

BharatBenz, the late entrant in India's trucking scene, has successfully established the brand in India. The company has a compelling 10-wheel truck in 2823R has proven its mettle in the market. 

This 6x4 truck comes with BhararBenz's OM 926 BS6 engine with a maximum power of 241hp and produces 850 Nm of torque tuned to the 6-speed gearbox for superior mileage with easy driving of this massive truck. It is available in three wheelbases of 5175 mm, 57775 mm, 6375 mm to appeal to several applications. The loading body spans are 24, 28, 31, and 32 ft. This cargo truck is available in two cabins: the standard sleeper cabin and the compact sleeper option. 

2823R haulage truck gets highly optimized aggregates such as suspension, axles, clutch, brakes, and durable chassis frame. The fuel tank sizes are 380, 200 liters, an additional Adblue tank of 60 liters, the maximum gradeability on 2823R 23.5%, and the turning circle radius is 18.7m, 21.6m, 22.5m, 22.5m for respective wheelbases.

Undoubtedly, the 28T GVW 10-wheel category has emerged as one of the most vital segments for Indian truck makers. To offer a compelling product to outdo the competition is what every OEM is trying. This is visible from the highly distinctive, but equally impressive product offering by each one of them. The wider choices of products benefit the customer, and he can buy a truck best suitable for his transport business along with the complete after-sales support!

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