In addition to its sturdy, durable and body-friendly construction and lightweight design, the Actros frame boasts two more outstanding features: it has an innovative integral rear end for 4x2 and 6x2 semitrailer tractors and a cleverly designed frame front end.

Bolted connections are used throughout, making it easy and inexpensive to replace parts when carrying out repairs. In addition, the front underride guard has been weight-optimised to reduce unladen weight. Another benefit is that the headlamps on the Actros are located above the areas of the front apron that are particularly vulnerable to stone chip impacts. The optionally available chassis underseal provides effective corrosion protection for the chassis and frame components. The protective film is transparent to allow metal surfaces to be visually inspected and model plates to be read.

Our task was clear: to create greater flexibility for the attachment of tanks or other auxiliary units. And the result is pretty impressive: for Actros semitrailer tractors with air suspension, this concept has freed up almost the entire area on the left-hand side behind the cab. To achieve this, the batteries and compressed-air tank have been integrated into the area between the rear axle and the end cross member. The compressed-air drier, 4-circuit safety valve and trailer control valve were moved to the inside of the frame. This has created "installation space" which can be used for an additional fuel tank, for example. This would give an air-sprung 2-axle semitrailer tractor a tank volume of up to 1,430 l¹, for example. The concept also makes it much easier to attach hydraulic pumps or compressors. So you see: the integral rear end² doesn't just give you a lot of "installation space" but some major advantages too.

In addition to the stabiliser link, which cuts the weight of each air-sprung rear axle by a good 90 kg, the 6x2 semitrailer tractors and platform vehicles have a further weight-reducing feature: 2-bellows air suspension. But the 30 kg weight reduction and 30 mm lower frame height are by far not the only benefits that this suspension concept has to offer. By dispensing with the rear air spring bellows, it has been possible to locate the shock absorbers directly behind the axle, thus bringing significant advantages in terms of driving dynamics and roll behaviour. In addition, the advantageous positioning of the spring bellows allows significantly higher raised heights and prevents the axle from distorting and affecting the angle of the propshaft. The lower number of bellows also means that replacing the bellows is quicker, saving you money in the event of a repair.