Mack Trucks has introduced a new chassis, the Advantage, to serve as the platform for all Mack Vision and CH model highway trucks. The Advantage was introduced on June 10, 2004 at The Truck Show in Las Vegas NV.
The new chassis is available with four optional frame rail cross sections-6 mm, 7 mm, 8 mm, or 9.5 mm, all with increased strength. For instance, fleets with weight sensitive applications can use the 7 mm frame rail, which is stronger than Mack’s current 8 mm rail and, depending on wheelbase, can be up to 100 lb lighter than the previous frame. In all cases, the frame is wider at the front than previous Mack chassis providing room for cooling systems up to 10% larger to meet the needs of high horsepower engines.
Standard front suspension for the Advantage is taper leaf with a reduced spring rate for softer ride. As an option, the chassis can be built with the Hendrickson Airtek suspension with a combination of air and steel springs for lighter weight along with the ride characteristics of air suspension. Regardless of front suspension, the Advantage allows a 50-degree wheel cut for significantly reduced turning radius.