Trailer-matching chart
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FORTY-NINE 32/38-ton tractive units are available on the UK market, but many of them will not couple up with 12.2m (40ft) trailer with the normal British kingpin position of 1.016m (40m) and still remain within the 15m (49ft 2.6in) overall length the law demands.
This is one fact to emerge from a chart published by Transport Press Services which compares prices and main technical statistics of units available.
The units that Transport Press claims will not legally couple to 12.2m (40ft) trailer with 1.016m (40in) kingpin include Berliets, sleeper-cab DAFs, DAF 2800s, Fiat 619Ts, sleeper-cab Fodens, any Ford Transcontinental, M a g irus Deutz 209Ds, MANs, sleepercab Mercedes-Benz or Saviems.
Good models for wide flexibility in trailer matching ac cording to the chart are AECs, DAF 2200s, ERFs, Leyland Marathons, Scammell Crusaders, Scanias, Seddon Atkinsons and Volvo F88s.
The trailer-matching section of the chart consists of diagrams which advise for every model where to mount the fifth-wheel coupling, and how much clearance is available . between tractive unit and trailer at different kingpin positions.
The chart is available, price 75p post free, from Transport Press Services, 19/20 Cowcross Street, London EC1M 6DQ.