HOWO TX Buying Guide: Which Variant Fits Your African Working Conditions?

HOWO TX is the workhorse line most African buyers mean when they ask for a "HOWO truck". It is SINOTRUK's mainstream heavy-duty platform, sold as tractor heads, dump trucks, tankers, mixers and crane trucks, in new and used condition. The TX badge alone tells you very little, though: the same badge covers 371 HP to 460 HP, 6x4 and 8x4 drive, and several engines and gearboxes. This guide helps you pick the variant that fits your job, not just the badge.

0. Quick verdict

These are starting points. The exact engine, gearbox, axle ratio and body decide whether a truck survives your roads.

1. What "HOWO TX" actually means

The TX is a SINOTRUK HOWO platform, not a single model. Commonly listed configurations include:

• Engines: Weichai WP10 / WP12 or SINOTRUK MAN MC11, commonly 371, 400, 430, 440 and 460 HP, with torque roughly 1,590–2,100 Nm on the higher-output units.
• Gearboxes: SINOTRUK HW19710 / HW19712 (10 or 12 speeds) on most listings; confirm the exact box on the unit you buy.
• Drive: 6x4 (10 wheels) for tractor and standard dump work; 8x4 (12 wheels) for heavy dump and mixer work, with higher gross vehicle weight (commonly around 31–35 tonnes on 8x4 dumps).
• Emission standard: export listings range from Euro II to Euro VI depending on year and market. The standard on the plate matters more than the brochure — check it against your destination country's rules before you pay.
• Cabin: TX cab, usually with air conditioning and a single sleeper on tractor units.

Because listings mix new, used and refurbished TX trucks, always ask for the engine model, horsepower, gearbox, axle, emission standard and year of the specific unit — not the platform brochure.

2. The variants, side by side

3. Match the truck to the job

• Construction and site work: a 6x4 dump is the default. It turns tighter, costs less to run, and parts are the easiest to find. Go 8x4 only when payload or ground conditions demand it.
• Mining and quarry haul: choose the 8x4 dump with the higher-output engine and the heavy-duty axle ratio. Check ground clearance, suspension and tyre condition — these decide uptime on unpaved haul roads.
• Long-haul tractor work: the 6x4 tractor head with 400–440 HP and a 12-speed box is the usual pick. Confirm the fifth wheel, the trailer type you will pull, and whether your routes need a sleeper cab.
• Tanker and mixer work: the body is half the truck. A cheap chassis with a worn tank or drum is not a bargain — inspect the body, pump, drum and hydraulics as carefully as the engine.

4. Drive side, age and emissions — check before you buy

Most African markets drive on the left and require right-hand drive (RHD). Some markets allow left-hand drive for special-purpose vehicles only. Age limits and emission rules vary by country and change over time: Kenya, for example, limits imported vehicles to 8 years from first registration, while other countries price age through extra excise instead of banning older trucks. Always confirm the current age, drive-side and emission rules for your destination with a licensed clearing agent before you pay — a truck that cannot clear the port is the most expensive mistake in this guide.

5. New, used or refurbished?

• New TX: full warranty path through the supplier, highest price, lowest immediate risk.
• Used TX: the common choice. Price depends on year, kilometres or hours, and condition — never on the badge alone. Insist on an inspection report and photos or video of the actual unit.
• Refurbished TX: "refurbished" covers everything from a repaint to a full rebuild, and the label is not regulated. Ask exactly what was repaired or replaced, and get it in writing. See our guide to what "refurbished" actually means.

6. Price: contact-for-price, and the landed cost

Prices for HOWO TX trucks on YITE Auto are contact-for-price. A quote is only comparable when it covers the same things: exact model and year, condition, FOB or CIF terms, shipping, insurance, inspection and clearance documents. The landed cost is truck price + freight + insurance + inspection + duty + clearance + inland transport. A lower truck price that excludes freight and inspection is not a lower landed cost.

7. Pre-payment checklist

1. What job, roads and load will this truck do every day?
2. What is the exact engine, horsepower, gearbox, axle ratio and emission standard?
3. Is it RHD, and does it meet your country's age and emission rules?
4. What is the body condition — tipper hydraulics, tank, drum or crane certificate?
5. What is the full landed cost, in writing, with FOB or CIF stated?
6. Who supplies parts for this exact model where the truck will work?
7. What inspection report, photos and documents come before payment?

8. FAQ

• Is the TX better than the HOWO 371? The TX is a newer platform with a newer cab and, on many units, more power. A clean 371 with good local parts support can still be the better buy — compare the two actual units.
• What horsepower do I need? 371 HP suits urban and light site work; 400–440 HP suits heavy dump, mining and long-haul tractor work. More power helps on hills and heavy loads, and costs more fuel.
• 6x4 or 8x4? 6x4 for turning, cost and standard loads; 8x4 for heavy payloads and rough ground.
• Can I get a TX in right-hand drive? RHD TX units are listed for African markets, but availability is unit-specific — confirm the steering side on the exact listing.
• What should I ask the supplier first? Engine model and horsepower, year, drive side, emission standard, and whether the quoted price is FOB or CIF.

References / 参考资料

1. SINOTRUK — HOWO product range and TX specifications. https://www.sinotruk.com/
2. Weichai Power — WP10 / WP12 heavy-duty diesel engine range. https://www.weichai.com/
3. YITE Auto — HOWO TX listings, contact-for-price. https://www.yiteauto.com/en/trucks
4. Kenya Revenue Authority — vehicle import rules and duties (age limit and tax structure). https://www.kra.go.ke/

Internal links

• HOWO vs SHACMAN: which used dump truck should you buy?
• Refurbished vs used Chinese trucks: what "refurbished" actually means
• Dump truck, tractor and tanker: how to choose for African conditions
• Used Chinese truck inspection checklist
• How to order a Chinese truck step by step
• Trucks for sale
• Contact us