TMC, NASHVILLE -- Spicer EconoTrek 6x2 tandem axle and the AdvanTEK 40 Tandem Axle are now available on certain Kenworth and Peterbilt models. Dana Holdings Corporation made the announcement at the Technology & Maintenance Council’s 2014 Annual Meeting in Nashville, Tenn.

The Spicer EconoTrek 6x2 tandem axle reduces vehicle weight by up to 400 pounds when compared with a traditional 40,000-pound 6x4 tandem axle arrangement, and it offers numerous innovations for reducing maintenance and increasing the fuel economy of heavy-duty linehaul tractors from 2 to 3 percent.

“Growing numbers of North American fleets are recognizing the gains in fuel efficiency they can achieve by spec’ing 6x2 axles for select applications,” said Pat D’Eramo, president of Dana Commercial Vehicle Driveline Technologies.  “The Spicer EconoTrek 6x2 tandem axle reinforces Dana’s reputation as a single source for a wide range of drivetrain solutions, each engineered to meet and exceed specific requirements of individual fleets over the long run.”

The Spicer EconoTrek tandem axle supports the use of wide-based single tires on standard track axles with two-inch outset wheels, which gains fleets an additional 400-pound weight savings over dual tires with steel wheels.

Later this year, Dana will release a SelecTTrac option that provides maximum gross axle weight capability for fleets that spec 0- to 0.56-inch outset wheels for wide-based single tires.

The Spicer EconoTrek tandem axle is optimized for use with electronic-controlled air suspension systems, such as the new Bendix eTrac system.  When combined with the Dana’s patented wheel-differential lock feature, the eTrac system seamlessly transfers weight to the drive axle for improved low-speed traction.

Paccar First with AdvanTEK 40

Dana also announced that Kenworth and Peterbilt will be the first production trucks in North America to offer Spicer's AdvanTEK 40 tandem axles. Designed for a variety of Class 8 applications, the new 40,000-lb. tandem axle for is currently offered with a select number of popular axle ratios, including the industry’s fastest axle ratio of 2.26:1. The product’s full selection of 13 ratios from 2.26 to 3.91 and options will be available this summer.

The AdvanTEK 40 features advanced gearing with 30 percent greater torque capacity for added strength with downsped engines, the industry’s most robust driveshaft system, and an optimized carrier design. Spicer says it can deliver up to $10,000 in estimated operating savings over a five-year period when compared with other tandem axle offerings.

Up to 21 pounds lighter than competitive 40,000-lb. tandem axles on the market today, the Spicer AdvanTEK 40 axle was developed with faster axle ratios to handle higher axle input torques, lowering engine rpm at highway cruise speed while increasing overall axle efficiency by up to 1.2 percent.

“Dana is heavily committed to research and development that supplies real, quantifiable benefits for fleets,” says D’Eramo. “We designed the Spicer AdvanTEK 40 to produce immediate efficiency gains without compromising the built-in reliability and durability that Dana’s products are known for in the industry.”

The Spicer AdvanTEK 40 axle is offered with options including thick-wall housings, Spicer LMS and LMSi hubs, and Dana’s versatile SelecTTrac solution, which maximizes the GAWR rating for aluminum hubs and extends wheel bearing life in wide-based single-tire configurations.

The Spicer AdvanTEK 40 tandem axle and the EconoTrek 6x2 tandem axle are featured at booth 1202 at TMC this week. Both will also be on display at the Mid-America Trucking Show later this month in booth 30455.

To learn more about Dana’s complete lineup of drivetrain innovations for the commercial-vehicle market, visit www.dana.com/commercialvehicle.