The Saviem SM8 (8-

ton Ton is any of several units of measure of mass, volume or force. It has a long history and has acquired several meanings and uses. As a unit of mass, ''ton'' can mean: * the '' long ton'', which is * the ''tonne'', also called the ''metric ...

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 range.

Characteristics

Dimensions

The cabin was a tip cab (Type 812). The range had a rigid form and two

tractor unit A tractor unit, also known as a truck unit, lorry unit, power unit, prime mover, ten-wheeler, semi-tractor, semi-truck, semi-lorry, tractor cab, truck cab, lorry cab, big rig tractor, big rig truck or big rig lorry or simply a tractor, truck, ...

s (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 gases that envelop an astronomical object, held in place by the gravity of the object. A planet retains an atmosphere when the gravity is great and the temperature of the atmosphere is low. A stellar atmosphere ...

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 spring A leaf spring is a simple form of spring (device), spring commonly used for suspension (vehicle), suspension in wheeled vehicles. Originally called a ''laminated'' or ''carriage spring'', and sometimes referred to as a semi-elliptical spring, e ...

s 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 An off-road vehicle (ORV), also known as an off-highway vehicle (OHV), overland vehicle or adventure vehicle, is a type of transportation specifically engineered to navigate unpaved roads and surfaces. These include trails, forest roads, and ...

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. Most military vehicles require Off-road vehicle, off-road capabilities ...

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

transfer case A transfer case is an intermediate gearbox that transfers power from the transmission of a motor vehicle to the driven axles of four-wheel-drive, all-wheel-drive, and other multi-axled on- and off-road machines. A part of the vehicle's drivetr ...

. The SM8 4x4 also had a differential lock 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

{{Saviem Vehicles introduced in 1967 SM8