Trucks for Sale in Chile: 6x6 Water Tankers and Heavy 8x8 Mining Trucks
Looking for reliable trucks for the copper mines of northern Chile? You might run a mining contractor operating around Calama and Antofagasta, supply water tankers for dust suppression on haul roads, or need heavy all-wheel-drive support vehicles for a project at 4,000 metres in the Atacama. In each case, Schaften Automotive is your European partner for trucks, commercial vehicles and complete fleet solutions. From our headquarters in the Netherlands, we supply 6x6 and 8x8 vehicles from Mercedes-Benz, MAN, IVECO and other leading European brands, with the bodies and tanks built to your specifications. We arrange everything from A to Z, so your vehicle arrives ready for the mine site.
More Than a Supplier: Your Sparring Partner from A to Z
The Atacama is one of the toughest operating environments in the world. Many copper operations sit between 2,500 and 4,500 metres above sea level, where thinner air costs engine power and reduces cooling and braking performance. Add abrasive dust that destroys filters and seals, daily temperature swings of twenty degrees or more, intense UV radiation, salt and mineral deposits that attack metal, and haul roads with steep gradients and heavy loads. A vehicle that performs well in Europe can lose a significant part of its availability here if it is specified incorrectly.
That is why we don’t start from a catalogue. We start by understanding your operation: the altitude of your site, the gradients on your haul roads, the water quality you pump, the duty cycle of the vehicle and the service capacity you have on site. Based on that, we advise you on engine rating, cooling, filtration, braking, axle configuration and body design. Once you have made your choice, we take care of the rest: bodybuilding, export documentation, customs support and transport to the port of Antofagasta, Mejillones or Iquique. You have one point of contact for the entire process.
6x6 Water Tankers for Dust Suppression and Site Supply
On an open pit haul road, dust is not just a nuisance. It reduces visibility, causes accidents, damages equipment and triggers environmental limits. Water tankers are therefore among the hardest working vehicles on any Chilean mine site, often running shift after shift on unpaved roads.
Why 6x6
A 6x6 chassis drives all three axles. On wet and freshly watered haul roads, on loose material and on the ramps in and out of a pit, that traction is what keeps the vehicle productive and safe. The three-axle configuration also carries the weight of a full tank without overloading individual axles, and offers better stability on sloping ground than a rear-wheel-drive chassis.
We supply 6x6 vehicles such as the Mercedes-Benz Arocs and Zetros, the MAN TGS and the IVECO T-Way, specified with heavy-duty suspension, off-road tyres, protected underbody components and the right crawler or reduction gearing for slow spraying work.
The Tank and Spray System
The tank is where the work gets done. We have water tanks built by specialised European manufacturers and can specify them for your site:
- capacity and baffles matched to the chassis, with internal baffles to limit surge on slopes and in bends;
- spray systems with front, rear and side spray bars, adjustable flow and cab control, plus a monitor or cannon where you need reach;
- pumps and filling with fast fill connections, self-filling suction systems and level indication;
- corrosion protection for sites that use saline, desalinated or mineral-rich water, including stainless steel or lined tanks;
- safety equipment such as camera systems, flashing beacons, reflective markings and roll-over protection where required by the mine.
Alongside dust suppression tankers, we supply water tankers for site supply, camp supply and fire fighting support.
Heavy 8x8 Trucks for Copper Mining
Where the terrain is severe and the loads are heavy, an 8x8 gives you payload, traction and stability in one package. Four driven axles distribute the weight over a larger footprint, which helps on soft surfaces and reduces road damage, while the extra axle raises the permitted gross weight. We supply 8x8 chassis such as the Mercedes-Benz Arocs and Zetros, the MAN TGS and the IVECO T-Way, with bodies built for mining support work.
Heavy Tippers and Haulage
Reinforced 8x8 tippers in wear-resistant steel for ore, waste rock and aggregates on site, with reinforced subframes, heavy-duty hydraulics and tailgate systems suited to continuous operation.
Fuel, Lubrication and Service Trucks
Mines run around the clock, and equipment is refuelled and serviced where it stands. We supply fuel bowsers, lube and service trucks with multiple compartments, pumps, reels and compressors, and mobile workshop vehicles with cranes, benches and parts storage for maintenance teams in the field.
Cranes, Low-Loaders and Heavy Transport
Truck-mounted cranes for installation and maintenance work, and heavy tractor units for moving equipment and oversized loads between pits, plants and camps.
Concrete and Infrastructure Support
Concrete mixers and bulk cement tankers for construction and expansion work on site, plus tippers and tankers for road building and maintenance on access routes.
Specified for Altitude, Dust and the Atacama Climate
The difference between a vehicle that works and one that stands still is in the specification. We advise you on:
- altitude: engine rating and turbocharging suited to operation at high altitude, where power and cooling margins drop;
- cooling: upgraded radiators and cooling packages for sustained heavy work on long climbs;
- air filtration: heavy-duty multi-stage filters with pre-cleaners for the abrasive dust of the Atacama, with easy service access;
- braking: a retarder or strong engine brake for long descents on loaded haul roads;
- corrosion protection: coatings and materials suited to salt, mineral dust and treated water;
- UV and temperature: protection for seals, hoses, wiring and interior components against intense radiation and large day and night swings;
- serviceability: component choices for which parts and support are available in Chile.
Through our network of European bodybuilders, we deliver water tanks, tippers, fuel and lube systems, cranes, service bodies and other specialised builds. Your vehicle leaves Europe fully prepared for the job it has to do on site.
Beyond Mining: Other Transport in Northern Chile
Many of our customers combine mining work with other operations. Alongside 6x6 water tankers and 8x8 mining trucks, we can arrange:
- tractor units for concentrate, acid and supply transport between the mines and the ports of Antofagasta, Mejillones and Iquique;
- tankers for fuel distribution across the Norte Grande;
- refrigerated trucks for camp catering and food supply;
- service and crew vehicles for solar projects in the Atacama and for lithium operations in the Salar;
- construction vehicles for infrastructure, roads and plant expansion.
Because we deliver everything through one point of contact, you can combine several vehicle types in one order and one planning.
Mercedes-Benz, MAN, IVECO & More
Our range covers the leading European commercial vehicle brands:
- Mercedes-Benz: the Arocs for heavy construction and mining work, and the Zetros for extreme off-road conditions.
- MAN: the TGS and TGX, with strong drivetrains and all-wheel-drive configurations for heavy work.
- IVECO: the T-Way and X-Way, built for demanding on and off road operations.
- Scania: a popular choice for long-distance and heavy haulage work.
Other brands are available on request. Chile drives on the right, so European left-hand-drive vehicles are a natural fit, and the major European brands are represented in Chile with service networks. Not sure which brand or configuration suits your site best? We compare the options with you objectively, based on your altitude, duty cycle, budget and service requirements.
How We Arrange Your Purchase from A to Z
Step 1: Consultation and Site Requirements
We discuss your site conditions, altitude, haul road profile, water quality, duty cycle, safety requirements and budget. As your sparring partner, we translate these into clear technical requirements for chassis and body.
Step 2: Selection and Configuration
We select suitable 6x6 or 8x8 chassis and specify the tank or body with our bodybuilders. You receive a clear proposal with specifications, pricing and planning. Before you commit, we check with you which Chilean import and registration requirements apply to the vehicle and to its intended use.
Step 3: Bodybuilding and Technical Preparation
The tank, tipper or service body is built by a specialised European bodybuilder, following the chassis manufacturer’s guidelines. We oversee quality and planning and can arrange an inspection or share progress photos before completion.
Step 4: Export Documentation and Customs Support
We prepare the export documents and shipping paperwork, including the European Certificate of Conformity and proof of EU origin where applicable, which can be relevant for preferential import duties under the agreement between the European Union and Chile. We also coordinate with your customs agent in Chile.
Step 5: Transport and Shipping to Chile
We organise transport to the port of departure and shipping to Chile, usually to Antofagasta, Mejillones, Iquique or San Antonio depending on your destination. Depending on the vehicle, this can be by RoRo, container or break bulk. We keep you informed at every stage until your vehicle arrives.
Ready to Strengthen Your Fleet in the Atacama?
You may need one water tanker or a complete fleet of mining support vehicles for a copper project. Either way, Schaften Automotive is ready to help. Tell us about your site and our specialists will advise you personally and prepare a tailored proposal, with no obligation.
Robert Brand
Sales Executive
Frequently Asked Questions About Trucks for Sale in Chile
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Which 6x6 and 8x8 vehicles can I buy through Schaften Automotive?
We supply all-wheel-drive chassis from Mercedes-Benz, MAN, IVECO and other leading European brands, including the Arocs, the off-road Zetros, the MAN TGS and the IVECO T-Way in 6x6 and 8x8 configurations. We combine these with bodies built by specialised European manufacturers: water tanks with spray systems, reinforced tippers, fuel and lube systems, mobile workshops, cranes and concrete mixers. We advise you on the combination that fits your altitude, haul roads and duty cycle best.
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How do you specify a vehicle for work at 4,000 metres in the Atacama?
Altitude reduces air density, which costs engine power and lowers the margin on cooling and braking. We look at engine rating and turbocharging suited to high altitude work, upgraded cooling packages, and a retarder or strong engine brake for long loaded descents. On top of that, we specify multi-stage air filtration with pre-cleaners for abrasive dust, corrosion protection against salt and mineral deposits, and UV resistant components. We discuss your specific site conditions before we specify anything, because a vehicle for a coastal operation is not the same as one for a pit at 4,400 metres.
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Can I import a used truck into Chile?
Chile restricts the import of used vehicles. Article 21 of Law 18,483 provides that in principle only unused vehicles may be imported, with a limited number of exceptions set out in law. Certain goods vehicles whose work is concentrated off the public road have historically been treated differently, and the free zone in Iquique has its own regime, which matters because it sits close to the northern mining region. Whether a specific used vehicle can be imported and used in the way you intend depends on the vehicle, its classification and its intended use. We check this with you and your customs agent before you commit to anything, so you never buy equipment that cannot be put to work.
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What are the import costs for a truck in Chile?
Chile applies a general import duty plus VAT on imported goods. Vehicles of European Union origin may qualify for preferential or zero import duty under the trade agreement between the European Union and Chile, provided a valid proof of origin is supplied. The exact treatment depends on the tariff classification of the vehicle and on the rules in force. Your Chilean customs agent can calculate the total landed cost before you commit. We provide a clear invoice with a correct vehicle description and the right origin documentation, so the classification and customs value can be determined without discussion.
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Can Schaften Automotive supply a complete fleet of mining support vehicles?
Absolutely. We regularly supply multiple vehicles for mining contractors and operators. We help you plan the right mix of water tankers, tippers, fuel and lube trucks, mobile workshops, cranes and tractor units. We align delivery with your project schedule and coordinate bodybuilding, documentation and shipping for the whole fleet. You have one point of contact throughout, and we remain available for fleet expansions, replacement cycles or follow-up orders.