Tatra T-815 is a truck family, produced by Czech company Tatra. It uses the traditional Tatra concept of rigid backbone tube and swinging half-axles giving independent suspension. The vehicles are available in 4×4, 6×6, 8×8, 10×8, 10×10, 12×8 and 12×12 variants. There are both air-cooled and liquid-cooled engines available with power ranging from 230–440 kilowatts (310–590 hp). As a successor to Tatra T-813 it was originally designed for extreme off-road conditions, while nowadays there are also variants designated for mixed (both off- and on-road) use.
Design:
While most other manufacturers derive their trucks from road applications, Tatra T-815 was purposely designed for extreme off-road conditions, and its road versions are derived from the off-road original concept. The principle consists in a central load-carrying tube with independently suspended swinging half-axles bolted as one whole. This gives Tatra vehicles outstanding driving qualities in the most difficult terrains. The concept allows higher off-road speed compared to classical rigid axle design.
Central load-carrying tube:
The primary structural feature of Tatra trucks is the central load carrying tube, also called a backbone frame. All other parts of the truck are mounted to this rigid assembly. The inherently high torsional and flexural rigidity of this layout protects superstructures from the motions and forces on the axles. Torque distribution to the axles is also carried within the backbone.
Suspension:
Front:
- Mechanical suspension of load capacity up to 8 tons per axle by torsion bars – for versions with one steered front axle (4×4 and 6×6) or by leaf springs – for versions with two steered axles (6×6, 8×8, 10×10 or 12×12).
- Air-bellows, with a load capacity of 9 tons per axle and a possibility of a ground clearance regulation.
Rear:
- Mechanical – by leaf springs, with a load capacity of up to 11.5 tons per axle
- Air-bellows with a load capacity of 10 tons per axle and a possibility of a ground clearance regulation
- Tatra King Frame suspension system – combination of an air-bellow with a coil spring placed inside, with a load capacity of up to 11.5 tons per axle or combination of air-bellows with leaf springs, with a load capacity of 13, 15 and 16.5 tons per axle.
All suspension types are equipped with telescopic shock absorbent; some versions also have stabilizer torsion bars.