Eightwheelers

Eightwheelers, also known as eight-wheeled vehicles or eight-wheel vehicles, are vehicles that are equipped with eight wheels, typically distributed in two or four rows of two wheels each, or in a single row of eight wheels close together.

The concept of eightwheelers has been around for many years, with varying degrees of success and practical application. One of the earliest known examples of an eightwheeler is the Esslingen heavy tram trailer, a German-built trailer introduced in the 1920s that was designed to carry long and heavy loads across difficult terrain.

In modern times, eightwheelers have been primarily associated with the rail transport industry, where they are used to improve traction and stability on various types of railcars, particularly those with high center of gravity or heavy payloads. Some rail operators also believe that the wider wheelbase of an eightwheeler provides improved flotation and stability on trackwork with heavy axle loads or on railway lines with less stiff track.

Public road vehicles equipped with eight wheels are relatively rare, although some variants of non-standard vehicles, such as cars with stroller wheels, street sweepers, and dump trucks, have been produced in small quantities. Despite the popularity of conventional six or four-wheeled designs, some car manufacturers have considered prototyping eightwheelers with the aim of improving traction and stability in adverse road conditions.

The research and development of eightwheelers are active areas of study, with many theoretical and practical challenges still being evaluated by vehicle engineers and vehicle designers. While the practical applications of eightwheelers remain largely limited, the concept of eightwheelers may expand or change as new technologies and engineering techniques become available.