What engine does a big rig have?

Answer 1

There are a few options. Since "big rig" is an American term, I'll assume you're talking about American trucks. For a typical tractor-trailer unit with a total of five axles, the engine displacement can range from 10 to 16 liters. 10, 11, and 12 liter engines will be more common for local trucks, doing things such as P&D, LTL, etc. Line haul, long distance trucks most commonly have a 13 to 15 liter engine. The only manufacturer currently offering a 16 liter is Volvo. The current (as of 8/2015) truck manufacturers in the US are PACCAR, Inc. (Kenworth and Peterbilt), Volvo A.B. (Volvo and Mack), Daimler A.G. (Freightliner and Western Star), and Navistar (International, and a cooperative effort with Caterpillar, Inc.). Ford got out of that Class 8 truck business in 1997, when they sold their heavy duty truck line to Daimler A.G. (who put the trucks into production under the Sterling name ontil 2009). General Motors got out of it in 1988, when they sold out to Volvo A.B. Marmon closed their doors in 1997.
Engines currently available for these trucks include the 11 liter Cummins ISM and 12 and 15 liter Cummins ISX (available in all makes of truck), 13 liter VE-D13 (available in Volvos and in Macks as the MP-8), 16 liter VE-D16 (available in Volvos and in Macks as the MP-10), 13 liter Maxxforce 13 (available in Internationals and an engine based on this one is used in Caterpillar trucks), 13 liter Detroit DD13 (available in Freightliners and Western Stars), 15 liter DD15 (available in Freightliners and Western Stars), and 13 liter PACCAR MX13 (available in Kenworths and Peterbilts). Caterpillar got out of highway diesel after 2009, after the fiasco with their SDP engines. Detroit Diesel engines became exclusive to Daimler A.G. products (Freightliner, Western Star, and, until 2009, Sterling) after 2002 (they had previously been available in most makes of truck prior). Mercedes-Benz engines were available in Daimler A.G. products from 2003 - 2009.