Faster trailers and less tyre wear
Page 18
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
FASTER road speeds, less tyre wear and better braking are among the benefits claimed for the latest step-frame semitrailers in the Staines-based Trailerent fleet.
Rubery Owen-Rockwell's newly-developed BMX axles, with bigger diameter hubs, and low-profile tyres, avoid increasing the overall trailer height significantly.
"Many conventional stepframe trailers have 8.25-15 tyres, imposing a speed restriction of 40 mph," says Trailerent's company engineer John Rice. "There is always a risk of operator or driver abuse, which can lead to overheating of hubs and bearings and premature tyre failure."
By contrast the BMX axle, rated 62 mph, is more in line with real operating needs. It has much bigger 19.5in wheels, which allow better braking and improved air flow. But the Michelin tubeless XZA 265/70 are only 1.2in (31mm) bigger in overall diameter than the 15inch size.
"Low-profile tyres, run cooler than conventional tyres; and there is less rolling resistance, so fuel consumption should be improved," he added, "and we've already found an im provement in reliability with the new trailers."
A batch of Montracon 12 stepframe tri-axle tilts with Tilt Techniek bodies will be joined by 20 existing step-frame tilts from the Trailerent fleet now being converted to the new axles. The company's latest stepframe curtain-siders, van trailers and semi-low loaders are being built to this specification. All future Trailerent step-frame trailers will also have BMX axles.