An Investigation of Intercity Highway Truck Drive Traction

This paper reports and analyzes the results of drive traction tests using 4 × 2,4 × 4, and 6 × 4 type truck tractors on a skid pad. Traction tests using an automobile and a friction trailer were also carried out on the same skid pad and results are compared. Methods for predicting truck drive traction performance in terms of traction limited grades are presented. Also reported and analyzed are results of hill climbing tests on a steep snow covered mountain grade using triples combinations of 27 ft trailers with 4 × 2 and 4 × 4 truck tractors. Traction limited grades are computed for typical intercity truck combinations.