[EricH]

Wheelbase. Shorter wheelbase means easier turning. 6WD drop and 8WD (2-drop) are common because they provide a shorter wheelbase, while still maintaining the same trackwidth--turning is easier, and you don't have to worry as much about losing traction or tipping as if you just built a smaller 4WD.


That being said, many of the 6WD and 8WD teams started doing it when the drivetrains were 36"x30" or 38"x28", when the high wheelbase/trackwidth ratio really showed up--as "bouncing" in many 4WDs. Once you have something relatively standard, why change it?