KamAZ-5308

The KamAZ-5308 at a glance

KamAZ built its reputation on heavy V8 trucks, but in the 2000s it added lighter forward-control models for distribution work. The 5308 is a stretched and strengthened version of the KamAZ-4308: according to the old 1cars text, it carries 2,000 kg more and is about 2 metres longer. The truck takes axle loads of up to 10 tonnes and is meant for trips between towns and suburban delivery on paved roads. The brand's background is told in the history of KamAZ, and all its models are in the KamAZ catalogue.

All technical figures on this page come from the factory data quoted in the old 1cars text. The engine family is documented by Cummins and KamAZ, whose joint venture builds Cummins B-series engines for KamAZ trucks.

Engines: Cummins ISBe 6.7

Instead of its own V8, KamAZ fitted the 5308 with Cummins ISBe in-line six-cylinder diesels of 6.7 litres, with turbocharging and charge-air cooling. Three outputs were listed. A viscous coupling switches the cooling fan off when it is not needed, which saves fuel and keeps the engine at the right temperature. The old 1cars text gives a fuel consumption of about 28 l/100 km at a steady 60 km/h and a 350-litre fuel tank. The Euro 4 engine has an extra tank for the urea solution used in its exhaust treatment.

Gearboxes, suspension and brakes

The standard gearbox is the ZF 6S1000 six-speed manual; top versions have the ZF 9S1310 nine-speed. Both use a single dry-plate diaphragm clutch with hydraulic control and an air assister, and the shift linkage is a telescopic mechanical type.

At the front, parabolic leaf springs with low internal friction work with an anti-roll bar and hydraulic dampers on a forged I-beam axle. At the rear, 4×2 trucks have air suspension with two air bags and an anti-roll bar, while 6×2 trucks have four air bags. Steering has integrated hydraulic power assistance, and the old 1cars text praises its precise response and the way it isolates the driver from bumps. The brakes are air-operated with two circuits and ABS, with disc brakes on all wheels and floating callipers; the parking brake is also air-operated.

Dimensions, weights and platform

The flatbed can carry a frame and tarpaulin. With a box body the old 1cars text quotes a load volume of 41.5 m³, and about 113 m³ with a trailer. By our calculation, the 4×2 truck at full weight carries about 68 kg per kW with the 300 hp engine, a lively ratio for a distribution truck; our ranking of the most powerful trucks puts such outputs in context. To estimate the fuel bill of a delivery route, use the fuel cost calculator.

Cab and comfort

The cab is the steel forward-control KamAZ cab with a sleeper berth, updated with a new dashboard of better-quality plastics that do not rattle. The sprung seats have high, well-shaped backrests, the steering column adjusts for both rake and reach, and the parking-brake lever sits to the right of the steering column. Extra mirrors cover the blind spots in front of and beside the cab. The low cab position makes it easy to climb in. The main drawback is the small glass area, a legacy of a cab structure that dates back to the first KamAZ trucks.

Strengths and limits

The 5308 is quick to load, thanks to the low frame and tail-lift option, and manoeuvrable in town. Its Cummins engine and ZF gearbox are familiar to service workshops. The low build is also its limit: the old 1cars text measures only about 20 cm of clearance under the silencer, so the truck belongs on paved roads. For rough terrain, KamAZ offers all-wheel-drive models such as the KamAZ-4326.

Rivals: how the KamAZ-5308 compares

Compared with the KamAZ-4308, the 5308 carries 2,000 kg more on a longer frame. European rivals in the 12–18 t class, such as the MAN TGM, offer newer cabs and emission standards, while the 5308's appeal was its lower price and simple, widely known components. For heavier work, KamAZ's V8 trucks such as the KamAZ-5320 family filled the gap.