Mega / Lowdeck tractorheads
A Mega tractorhead (also called Lowdeck, Low Rider or Low Deck) is a tractor unit with the fifth wheel mounted lower than standard. While a conventional tractorhead positions the fifth wheel at 1,050-1,150 mm from the ground, a Mega places it at 850-920 mm. This 200 mm difference allows the semi-trailer to be taller without exceeding the maximum 4,000 mm total height permitted in Europe.
Why choose a Mega tractorhead
Volume transport (not weight) represents a significant portion of European freight traffic. Products such as textiles, automotive components, appliances, flat-pack furniture, parcels and mail take up a lot of space but weigh little. With a Mega semi-trailer at 3,000 mm interior height (versus the standard 2,700 mm), you gain 11% more usable volume, which can mean an extra row of pallets or several additional layers of boxes. For curtainsider and parcel transport operators, the Mega tractorhead is the most profitable configuration.
Technical requirements for Mega
The reduction in fifth wheel height is achieved through several modifications:
- Low-profile tyres: 295/55 R22.5 or 295/60 R22.5 tyres are used instead of standard 315/80 R22.5. This reduces axle height by 40-60 mm.
- Lowered fifth wheel: A low-profile fifth wheel (Jost JSK 36CZ or JOST JSK 37CZ Mega) is fitted with a lower plate height than standard.
- Lowered air suspensión: The chassis is equipped with shorter-travel air bellows allowing a lower ride height.
- Chassis without reinforcement beam: On some models, the rear chassis beam is removed or lowered to gain additional millimetres.
Mega tractorheads by brand
All European manufacturers offer Mega versions of their main tractorheads:
- Renault T Lowdeck: Factory Mega versión with fifth wheel at 880 mm. Renault is one of the most experienced manufacturers in Mega, with a dedicated line since the Premium Route era.
- DAF XF Low Deck: Fifth wheel at 890 mm. Available with Super Space Cab, making it one of the few Mega tractorheads with a large-volume cab.
- Volvo FH Lowdeck: Fifth wheel at 900 mm. Combinable with Globetrotter cab. The I-Shift automatically adapts to the lower ride profile.
- Scania R Lowdeck: Fifth wheel at 895 mm. Available with all R series engines including the V8.
- MAN TGX Low: Fifth wheel at 890 mm. The new TGX offers the Low versión with full GX cab.
- Mercedes Actros Lowdeck: Fifth wheel at 895 mm. Compatible with MirrorCam and all Actros MP5 driver assistance systems.
- Iveco S-Way Low: Fifth wheel at 900 mm. Also available in NP (LNG) versión for sustainable Mega transport.
Complete Mega combination
A typical Mega combination consists of a Lowdeck tractorhead (fifth wheel at 850-920 mm) plus a 3-axle Mega semi-trailer with 3,000 mm interior height (versus 2,700 mm standard). The total height of the combination does not exceed the regulatory 4,000 mm. Leading Mega semi-trailer manufacturers include Schmitz Cargobull (S.CS Mega), Krone (Mega Liner) and Kogel (Cargo Mega). The additional cost of a Mega tractorhead versus standard is EUR2,000-4,000, an investment that pays for itself quickly in high-volume operations.