6x6 -vs- 4x4

no rumors about such a thing, but honestly, is a 6x6 a good idea?

You'd never get hung up (the biggest problem for stock vehicles), you'd have 50% more flotation in sand or mud, and you'd have more traction basically all of the time.  The only tradeoff that i can see is mileage of course, and going over a big step you may wind up with the front end way up in the air, to crash down when the center of gravity clears the ridge.

Actually, it DOES exist:
 
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/6-WHEEL-STRETCH-CUSTOM-H2-UNBELIEVEABLE-1-OF-3-MADE_W0QQitemZ150088245306QQihZ005QQcategoryZ43913QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting
 
There are quite a few of these around, although I'm not sure how the drivetrain works and if that's just an extra axle that free-wheels.

if you are interested in 6 by 6's here is a link for you
 
http://usa6x6.com/

I thought 6x6 meant three axles.  OOPS

quote:

ORIGINAL: HummerGuy

I thought 6x6 meant three axles.  OOPS

so did i.  i meant 6 wheel drive, 3 axles. 


that jeep looks awesome

I'm in.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Greenblade

no rumors about such a thing, but honestly, is a 6x6 a good idea?

You'd never get hung up (the biggest problem for stock vehicles), you'd have 50% more flotation in sand or mud, and you'd have more traction basically all of the time.  The only tradeoff that i can see is mileage of course, and going over a big step you may wind up with the front end way up in the air, to crash down when the center of gravity clears the ridge.

One of the biggest problems with 6X6 is when the center axle, which is typically just in front of the rear axle gets up on an obsticle and the rear axle is in the air. Unless you have both rear axles locked together, the rear axle will now spin and hamper forward drive. If the front axle is on solid ground, then you don't notice this too much because it will still operate like a regular 4X4, but if you are on soft terrain, or one of the front tires is in the air, you will be stuck.You also loose articulation with all of those axles, mainly because of the proximity of the rear two axles.

also another problem i believe would be turning radius... doesnt sound important to most but on the trail a tight turn might mean you make it through ok or might end up at the body shop...
best bet would probably be rear wheel steering which I heard through the grape vine that someone was making a kit for this for the H1's... not 100% sure it was just "hearsay"

Somewhere floating around on the net is a video of a H1 driving down the road with rear steering. Really all you would need is hydraulic rams to replace the tierods in the back and a self centering hydraulic system like what is found under a 4 wheel stter tractor or construction forklift.

i don't think it would be a good idea.
cool to look at - yes
efficient - no
practical - no
 
google the "Dodge Rex" you will see what i mean

i guess that the "not getting hung up" part is what intrigues me the most about having some middle wheels.

quote:

ORIGINAL: azz7772

if you are interested in 6 by 6's here is a link for you

http://usa6x6.com/

I think I saw something just like that while I was canvassing a Mazda body kits on our local auto shop and had a little chat  with 6x6 owner... He told me the wheels was only modified for the purpose of the rocky terrain on his way home... Man it has a really big tires...