Suspensions Lead Enhancements of Sterling Acterra Line

Sterling Truck will make major enhancements to its Acterra line of class 5-8 trucks, including chassis changes that promise better handling and ride.

The Acterra’s frame has stronger single-channel steel rails, now rated at 50,000, 80,000, or 120,000 pounds per square inch. A new front suspension uses single-leaf springs as standard equipment; taper-leaf suspensions with maintenance-free rubber bushings are available in a range of capacities from 8,000 to 18,000 pounds. Flat-leaf springs are also available rated at 14,600, 16,000, and 18,000 pounds.

Some of the most significant enhancements come in the rear suspension. The 52-inch variable-rate taper-leaf suspension is standard in a six-step range of capacities from 18,000 to 23,000 pounds. The optional 60-inch two-stage spring rear suspension package comes in 18,000-, 21,000-, and 23,000-pound ratings, while optional 60-inch air rear suspensions are available in ratings from 10,000 to 40,000 pounds, plus severe-duty ratings of 40,000 and 46,000 pounds.

For vocational applications, customers can specify a Freightliner TufTrac suspension (pictured) rated from 40,000 to 46,000 pounds. Hendrickson RT/RTE or HN rear suspensions are available at 40,000 or 46,000 pounds, and the RS series suspension offers 52,000-pound capacity.