The Saviem SM8 (8-

ton Ton is the name of any one of several units of measure. It has a long history and has acquired several meanings and uses. Mainly it describes units of weight. Confusion can arise because ''ton'' can mean * the long ton, which is 2,240 pounds ...

payload) was a range of medium-duty trucks manufactured by the French manufacturer Saviem between 1967 and 1975. The truck was part of the

Saviem SM The Saviem SM was a range of medium trucks produced by the French manufacturer Saviem between 1967 and 1975. History At the end of 1967, as part of an extended partnership with the German MAN, Saviem introduced the SM (Saviem-MAN) ranges. They ...

range.

Characteristics

Dimensions

The

cabin Cabin may refer to: Buildings * Beach cabin, a small wooden hut on a beach * Log cabin, a house built from logs * Cottage, a small house * Chalet, a wooden mountain house with a sloping roof * Cabin, small free-standing structures that serve as in ...

was a tip cab (Type 812). The range had a rigid form and two tractor units (SM8 T, SM8 Y). The wheelbases were between 3m and 5.3m.

Engines

The engine used for the SM8 (and also the SM7) was the 597/797, an

atmospheric An atmosphere () is a layer of gas or layers of gases that envelop a planet, and is held in place by the gravity of the planetary body. A planet retains an atmosphere when the gravity is great and the temperature of the atmosphere is low. A s ...

with a power output of at 2900 rpm (on its later evolutions) and a torque of at 1700 rpm.

Transmission

A 5-speed (4 synchronised) 301-12 manual gearbox was mounted as standard.

Suspension

The SM8 had a suspension of leaf springs with dampers at the front and rear. TRM-4000 010 FR

SM8 4x4

The SM8 4x4 was the four-wheel-drive version of the SM8. It was used as an off-roader and

military vehicle A military vehicle is any vehicle for land-based military transport and activity, including combat vehicles; both specifically designed for, or significantly used by military and armed forces. Most military vehicles require off-road capabiliti ...

. It was a permanent 4x4 with locking centre differential in the

transfer case A transfer case is a part of the drivetrain of four-wheel-drive, all-wheel-drive, and other multiple powered axle vehicles. The transfer case transfers power from the transmission to the front and rear axles by means of drive shafts. It also syn ...

. The SM8 4x4 also had a

differential lock A locking differential is a mechanical component, commonly used in vehicles, designed to overcome the chief limitation of a standard open differential by essentially "locking" both wheels on an axle together as if on a common shaft. This forces ...

on the rear axle. The truck had a variable flexibility suspension with Evidgom shock absorbers. It had single or dual rear wheels and two tip cabs available (pressed steel and torpedo). The vehicle was manufactured between 1977 and 1989 by Saviem and RVI. It adopted the name Renault SM8 4x4 in 1980 and Renault TRM4000 in 1986.

References and sources

* The entry incorporates text translated from the corresponding French entry. {{Saviem Vehicles introduced in 1967 Saviem