Why do American semi-trucks (18 wheelers etc) exclusively use inline 6-cylinder engines, no matter if it’s a Mack, Detroit Diesel, Cummins, or Volvo-built engine?

Question

I get why they are diesel, but why are they all of the inline 6-cylinder configuration? Why not V6 or straight 8 or freakin huge inline 4-cylinders?

In: 715

Answer 1

They did use V-6, V-8 and V-12. Back in the 60’s through the early 90’s. IIRC.

Cat made a Big V-8, Cummins made a big V-6 and Detroit made all of them in a 2-stroke. Detroit even made a V-16.

Recently Walmart began testing on a new opposed piston engine. Its a 2-stroke engine, 3 cylinders and 6 pistons.

[https://www.carthrottle.com/post/a-new-106l-two-stroke-diesel-engine-has-3-cylinders-and-6-pistons/](https://www.carthrottle.com/post/a-new-106l-two-stroke-diesel-engine-has-3-cylinders-and-6-pistons/)