Renault T380 6x2 Rigid - Red-Dy For Buisness

With its imposing high roof sleeper, this six-wheel rigid offers the flexibility of a town distribution truck with the power and comfort of a long distance vehicle. TSN took it out for a spin.

- Pip Dunn

Other than for the construction sector, the six wheel rigid is still a relatively rare sight, and even here it is often now being ousted by the 8x4 or 8x2 Tridem set up which offer the payload of an eight wheeler with the manoeuvrability of a six wheeler.

But, for certain general haulage applications, these trucks still have a role. As with all sector, the design has improved over the years, and you no longer can only get a 6x4 double drive chassis.

The subject for this issue’s driver appraisal is Renault’s bright red Range T 6x2 curtainsider which has all the comfort and features of a long distance truck with a big cab. Renault tells me that it is selling more Range T rigids than Range D, the latter with its bespoke distribution cab; presumably more operators are wanting better and bigger cabs to please, and retain, their drivers.

The test truck had just come back from Truckfest Scotland, for which it was used to move some of the company’s stand equipment, and so wasn't loaded, but nevertheless I was able to give it a good run around the local roads in Warwick and Coventry to see how it performed and, more importantly, was it the right truck for the market.

The technical stuff

The truck is a 6x2 with a steering rear axle behind the drive axle. The engine is the 375hp version of the DTI 10.8-litre six cylinder Euro 6 version. More powerful 440, 460, 480 and 520hp engines are available, not that you would need them.

But when grossing at 26 tonnes, the power to weight ratio is still a whopping 14.5hp per tonne, so the equivalent of a 630hp truck at 44 tonnes. So this beast has power to spare.