Purpose
A truck tractor based on the GAZ Valdai is designed for transporting large and long cargo of limited weight as part of a road train, for which the use of a standard Eurotruck with a carrying capacity of 20 tons is unprofitable and economically unprofitable. And special equipment based on the GAZ chassis, namely car transporters, allows you to transport up to three cars with a total weight of 6-7 tons. Thanks to the presence of a sleeping bag and high maneuverability, the truck is used for cargo transportation both over long distances and within a metropolis.
The lineup
If you plunge into history, you can remember that GAZ produced truck tractors back in the 60s. All-wheel drive GAZ-51 P, GAZ-63 P were equipped with semi-trailers weighing 6 tons. Drivers managed to transport 10 tons of goods.
It was replaced by the GAZ-3307 truck tractor. After – “Valdai” and “Next”.
GAZ-3307
The first model 3307 rolled off the assembly line in 1989. Most cars had a diesel or gasoline engine with a carburetor. They produced rear-wheel drive flatbed trucks and tractors for towing trailers.
Detailed information is visible in the video:
During production there were a couple of modifications to the car, including:
- with engines with gas cylinder equipment;
- four-wheel drive vehicles;
- machines for export to countries with hot, temperate climates;
- chassis and wheelbases for buses, special equipment.
The GAZ-3307 tractor with a semi-trailer is capable of carrying up to 4.5 tons of cargo. The ability to use containers, tanks, truck cranes and other special equipment with the head makes the vehicle widely in demand.
Important! Thanks to its small size and maneuverability for a tractor, the GAZ-3307 easily moved along city streets. High ground clearance and stable cross-country ability allowed the vehicle to be used on rural roads.
GAZ-3309
Production started in 1994. GAZ-3309 was created to complement and replace modifications of 3307. Externally, the vehicle differed little from its predecessor.
GAZ-3309.
Initially, diesel engines were installed in the car. The units have undergone many modifications. But no matter how the machine’s design was changed, 3309 was hopelessly outdated by the end of the 90s.
Both the appearance and the “filling” of the car did not meet the requirements of the developing business. In addition, the car cannot be called comfortable.
"Lawn" was produced in series for more than 20 years. They still produce it now, but only for individual orders.
On a note! The GAZ-3309 Dobrynya model looks like American heavy-duty trucks. The cabin is equipped with a full sleeping bag. The body is made using fiberglass.
GAZ-3310 "Valdai"
Updated modification. The Valdai truck tractor replaced the GAZ-3309 and 3307. The car began production in 2004. A turbodiesel engine, a long wheelbase, and an additional row of seats in the cabin are available in different versions of the car. A modification of the GAZ Valdai 33104 was produced in series.
Advantages compared to predecessors:
- updated appearance of the cabin from the outside;
- comfortable accommodation for the driver;
- small size, better maneuverability with almost the same load capacity up to 4 tons;
- The low platform makes loading and unloading easier.
Detailed information is visible in the video:
Other models
Among other truck variations, the legendary GAZ-AA semi-truck stands out. The car was the first to roll off the assembly line of the car plant and was the most popular domestic car until the 1960s. GAZ-AA had a load capacity of 1.5 tons, which gave the car its name. The lorry was used for military and civilian needs.
Another car, popularly known as the “shishiga” (GAZ-66), was produced by the Gorky Automobile Plant for almost 30 years, from 1954 to 1999. The all-wheel drive two-axle truck is designed for 2 tons. It was widely used in the USSR for the needs of the army and in agriculture.
The most modern tractor in the GAZ model line is the Next, produced since 2014, designed for long trips. It has an increased load capacity of up to 10 tons. The vehicle is capable of displacing outdated competitors in the field of medium-tonnage transportation from the market.
Main characteristics
The Valdai truck consists of a truck tractor and a trailer (semi-trailer). The modern car cabin is roomy and compact, accommodating three people, including the driver. The truck's onboard platform is equipped with special racks that allow the installation of an awning up to 2.2 meters high. The sides are aluminum, folding. The rear swing gates and low loading height are very convenient for loading operations.
According to the length of GAZ road train trailers, there are two types: 7.5 and 11 meters. The load capacity of the truck is from 5 to 7 tons. The maximum weight accepted for transportation is 7.5 tons. Depending on the modification (33104/33106), the curb weight of the vehicle is 3545/3350 kg. The total volume of the tilt platform is up to 82.5 m³. The Valdai truck is equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission, leaf spring suspension, pneumatic brakes and an anti-lock braking system. The steering has a built-in hydraulic booster. The vehicle has reverse gear (unlike many trailer trucks).
Engine – Cummins ISF, diesel, four-cylinder, in-line and turbocharged. The Valdai road train is a powerful vehicle (152 hp) with economical fuel consumption (according to GOST 18l/100km).
Owner reviews
The responses are different. There are many reviews on the Internet with photos from GAZ car owners. Video reviews of models have been published.
Drivers speak well of modern cars “Next”, “Valdai”, “Dobrynya”, sometimes pointing out some shortcomings and features of regular repairs.
GAZ-3309 “Dobrynya”.
Lawns-3307, 3309, lorries, and “shishigi” received the status of legendary domestic trucks. Old cars, if maintained in proper condition, can serve their owners well.
But this is not profitable for business, especially in cases where the trucks are practically museum exhibits.
Buy a Valdai truck
You can purchase a GAZ semi-trailer train from official auto dealers. The average cost for this model range ranges from 1,050,000 to 1,780,000 rubles, depending on the technical characteristics and basic equipment.
The cost of the trucks is not much more expensive than standard extended flatbed vans, but the advantage of such a purchase is obvious, since the design of the truck body increases the cubic capacity of the transported cargo without sacrificing carrying capacity and maneuverability.
The history of the first road train "Chaiki-Service"
Valdai appeared on the market in the fall of 2005. But paradoxical as it may sound, the production enterprise Chaika-Service began work on the road train in the spring of 2004.
Background
In 2004, Chaika-Service firmly occupied the niche it created for sleeping compartments and advertising vehicles. And after studying the market, we concluded that there is a growing need for a compact semi-trailer. There were many orders for maximum increase in the awnings of GAZelles and lawns, but the maximum that could be obtained by increasing the height of the awning and lengthening the base was 27 cubic meters. And the company began developing a semi-trailer.
After analyzing the designs of existing semi-trailers, the concept of our model was determined last June. In terms of layout, it turned out to be closest to the semi-trailer for the ZIL-130. It was planned to use the GAZ-3309 as a tractor. The essence of what we wanted to do was the following: SZAP-9329 was designed in the days of “state gasoline”, and its own weight was 3.5 tons. We wanted to make a more technologically advanced and lighter semi-trailer. We did it. (The ratio of the curb weight of the semi-trailer to the weight of the cargo on the “semi-truck” is 0.286, on SZAP 9329 – 0.318.)
Work on the tractor based on the GAZ-3309 was completed by October 2004. Work on the semi-trailer was also supposed to be completed in the fall. But information has been received about the imminent production of the GAZ-33104 car, designed to replace the obsolete “lawn”. And the company decided to bet on Valdai.
Truck tractor "Valdai": issues of re-equipment
The serial "Valdai" became the first "gas" truck of the new generation, equipped with a pneumatic braking system and ABS. When manufacturing a tractor based on it, there is no need for additional devices that ensure the interaction of hydraulics and pneumatics.
The conversion consisted of replacing the standard compressor with a more efficient one and installing a number of additional components, such as a trailer brake control valve.
The main issue that needed to be resolved was ABS. The fact is that before this there were no semi-trailers with a 12-volt electrical system, in particular a 12-volt electronic control unit, in Russia at all.
How the development went
The development and manufacturing process became a serious test for Chaika-Service of the level of engineering, technological and financial development. Before this, the company was engaged in the modification (albeit with a high degree of complexity) of cars from other manufacturers. This semi-trailer became the first piece of equipment of our own production.
The work was carried out completely from scratch. Strength calculations were carried out, many options for power and layout schemes were revised, and Knorr Bremze engineers were brought in to calculate the braking properties of the road train. The same company also acted as a supplier of the main components of the braking system.
Tests
By October, the first road train with a semi-trailer equipped with ABS and an axle completely unified with the Valdai rear axle was fully assembled. In October, tests were carried out: driving up a mountain with a full load, running on suburban off-road terrain, and maneuvering in urban conditions. After completing the test tests, which all semi-trailers will now be subjected to, the first road train was prepared for delivery to the customer in Rostov-on-Don.
And on November 14, 2005, the first road train consisting of the GAZ-33104V Valdai truck tractor and the 938400 Semi-Fura semi-trailer entered the world.
Prospects
“Chaika-Service” offers two types of road trains: with a semi-trailer 7.5 and 11 m long. The availability of sleeping places is at the request of the customer.
Maximum capabilities of the road train produced by the Chaika-Service enterprise:
load capacity – 7 t;
semi-trailer length – 11 m;
volume without awning – 15.8 m3
with awning – 56.5 m3;
loading height – 1220 mm;
Gasoline consumption when fully loaded is 18…25 l/100 km.
Long structures, stacks of steel profiles, tens of cubic meters of lightweight items - all this will find a place on board the road train.
In January of this year, a road train rally took place across European Russia, which once again proved that the need for such equipment is extremely great. Even during short stops for refueling, interested drivers gathered around the car and quickly noted the advantages of such a vehicle.
The Chaika-Service production association is sensitive to all the latest trends in the automotive market and is constantly developing the semi-trailer theme.
Auto transporter based on GAZ-33104 "Valdai"
The car transporter consists of a Valdai tractor and a trailer. It is designed to transport three cars with a total weight of up to 6 tons. Thus, this car transporter can transport three all-metal GAZelles! It is possible to equip the car transporter with a sleeper cabin. But first things first.
A flat platform is installed on the tractor frame, on which one of the vehicles, a trailer hitch and retractable ramps are transported. The trailer is designed to transport two cars and is also equipped with sliding ramps. Self-tightening belts are used to secure vehicles to the tractor platform and trailer.
Due to the fact that the topic of car transporters is now extremely relevant, Chaika-Service is not going to stop at producing just one car transporter model. At the moment, the development of a double-decker car transporter based on KamAZ-43085 is underway. The vehicle is designed to transport from 6 to 8 cars (depending on their weight and geometry). The total load capacity is 14 tons. A special superstructure and trailer are made on the chassis (they are operated together). Loading cars is complicated only in words, but in reality everything happens quite quickly. First of all, the upper platform (screw rack) is lowered, the ramps on the trailer are manually extended, and the car is rolled onto the platform. Once the upper platform of the tractor is fully loaded, the platform is raised up and the vehicles are placed on the lower platform. The same scheme applies to the trailer.
The tractor superstructure and trailer are equipped with separate control units (located on the right side).
It is planned that Hyundai tractors will first be equipped with similar add-ons, and later KamAZ-43085 and other domestically produced vehicles.
Another, perhaps the most promising car transporter model from Chaika-Service, is at the development stage. For certain reasons, we cannot give details, but we will hint: the GAZ-33104 Valdai chassis will be used.
