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Big Design Advances in Semi-trailers

IN recent years, there has been a considerable improvement in semi-trailer design. The 1960 Commercial Motor Show featured a general advance and that this has been maintained will be evident at this year's Show, which should be the most important to date from the semitrailer aspect.

Added impetus to trailer developments is given by the prospect of considerably increased inter-Continental traffic if Britain enters the Common Market— general opinion is that artics are most suitable for this type of operation. The Show will reflect this, particularly in the increased numbers of integral-box-van semi-trailers to be seen. in 1960, only two trailer manufacturers—York and Dyson --showed this type of unit. This year Taskers, Scammell, B.T.C. and Carrimore are added to the list, the last two named through their bodybuilding associates. whilst the Scammell Univan (bodywork is by Metropolitan-Cammell Carriage and Wagon Co., Ltd.) will be seen on the Albion stand.

European operation is in fact to be the theme of the display of the York Trailer Co., Ltd. Once again, they are making a most significant introduction to the semi

trailer market with their Teamster range (which is fully described elsewhere in this issue). The "castella " type of construction used for the frame sidemembers in the design has been adopted to obtain the strength required for payloads of up to 23 tons (possible on a tandem-axle unit and four-wheel tractive unit with the g.t.w. of 32 tons envisaged for the Common Market countries) without the need for welded-on reinforcement.

Two Teamsters are to be shown; both with tandem-axle layouts. The model is also available with a single axle, but not with tvvin-oscillating axles as this layout is not recognized on the Continent as being able to take more load than a single axle. Two Freightmaster integral van semi-trailers are to be shown—a single-axle and a tandem-axle• unit. These will be the new Mark II versions being different in a number of details to the original design. The main alterations are a revised body under-frame layout and the running gear mounted on a subframe instead of directly to the underframe.

A box-van semi-trailer, similar in some respects to that which they exhibited in 1960, will be shown by R. A. Dyson and Co., Ltd. It will have a tandem axle running gear with air suspension and incorporates disc brakes, but the body will be by Durarnin, not Holmes as in 1960. This model is called the Aerovan and the example on the stand will be a streamlined unit for Bass.

Dyson are well-known for their dropframe machinery carriers and their latest development in this field, which is to be introduced at the Show, is remarkable for the weight reduction achieved by using new high-strength alloy steels. The 30-ton model on show is some 25 per cent, lighter than comparable designs of the same type. A description of the semitrailer appeared in our September 7 issue.

The new Taskers Cargovan which will be seen at the Show, is also the result of co-operation between the trailer maker and Durarnin who build the integral body for this model. The example to be shown will be a single-axle 12-tonner with Taskers D.S. automatic coupling. As with the Dyson Aerovan, the body is of all-light-alloy construction. Overall length will be 25 ft. and interior dimen=, sions will be 24 ft. 9 in. long by 7 ft. 3 in. wide by 7 ft. 6 in. high: Other exhibits by Taskers will include. a new cable drum trailer with a capacity of 4 tons and incorporating a hydraulic lifting mechanism for the drum, a 25-ton dropframe low-loader and a Twinside I5-ton twin-oscillating axle unit. •

Car Transporter

On their . own stand; Carrirnore Six Wheelers, Ltd.,' will . be featuring : their latest. design of " car transporter semitrailer, a. tandem axle unit with a refrigerated body, and a single-axle dropframe Model with a bOx body.. Carri, more's new integral van semi-trailer—the Super Van—will be exhibited on the stand. of ,Scammell and Nephew, Carriinbre's associate bodybuilding eompany:. The Super Van has a 10-, to 12-Ion capacity and incorporates a specially designed lightweight main frame. Light alloy is used throughout the body c6n

struction except at tine rear opening which is fitted with a rectangular tubular steel framework.

An Anthony 1-ton capacity hydraulically operated tailboard loader will be fitted at the rear of the show model, the top of the opening being covered• by folding doors. Overall dimensions will be 26 ft. long by 7 ft. 6 in. wide and there will be 7 ft. 7.5 in, headroom inside the body. With full-height rear doors or an

Orthodox tailboard and upper doors, it is -estimated that the unladen weight of the Super Van will be about 2 tons 13 cwt.

Three versions of their Four-in-Line semi-trailer are to be featured by the British Trailer Co., Ltd. There will be two 12-tonners and a I5-tonner. Both the 12-tonners will have special bodywork; one will have a front bulkhead, roof and double rear doors over a tail board with the sides closed with heavy' curtains, whilst bodywork on the second will comprise two I2-ft.-long light-alloy, bulk sugar containers. The floor plates will be hoppered at 45° down to full

length discharge doors at each side, which Can be operated together to give complete discharge of the load in a matter of seconds.

On the stand of B.T.C.'s associate, Sartilesbury Engineering (1961), Ltd., will be seen an integral van body by the exhibitors on B.T.C. 12-ton Four-in Line running gear. This body is also of light-alloy construction. • Although not having a separate stand in the semi-trailer section at the Show,

Scammell will be featuring their Fourtrak twin-oscillating-axle model on their own stand and their Univan integral van semi-trailer on the Albion stand. Both these .models will be having their first public showing. In common with most other makes, Scammell semi-trailers and running gear Will also be' seen On the stands of a number of vehicle 'manufacturers, bodybuilders and tank makers.

For example, Duramin will be showing a refrigerated version of their own integral van semi-trailer—called in this form the Cold Freighter. It will be fitted with a Dyson Aero ride tandem-axle bogie but the body can be mounted on an make of running gear.

Integral Tanker Semi-trailers

In the field of integral tanker semitrailers, a number of. examples will be seen, including models by A.P.V. on Carrimore and York running 'gear, by Universal Boilers and Engineering on York and Crane-Fruehauf running gear, by Alfred Miles on B.T.C. Four-in-Line running gear and by YEWCO on Cardmore running gear.. • Since the formation of Crane-Fruehauf, standard production type semi-trailers have not been made by Cranes (Dereham), Ltd., so, at the Show, Cranes' stand will contain only specially designed models. The largest will be a 35-ton drop-frame semi-trailer with detachable rear axles. There will also be a tandemaxle 30-ton drop-frame oil-field type unit and a 10-ton four-wheeler for the transport of meat containers. Crane-Fruehauf will be showing on their stand two models —a Roadleader, 16-ton twin-oscillatingaxle model and a Flectleader tandem axle 16/17 toriner. The former model has been developed from earlier Crane design whilst the latter is based on American Fruehauf designs.

. A number of items of trailer equipment are to be featured by Crane, including fifth-wheel couplings, turntables and lightweight landing legs. Crane-Fruehauf will be showing a set of single-axle running gear as fitted to their Loadleader model.

Main interest on the stand of Hands (Letchworth), Ltd., will be a tanker semitrailer and a 16/18-ton extendible unit. These new models are described on page 115 of this issue and incorporate American Neway suspension in their tandemaxle bogies. In addition, Hands are to show a single-axle and a twin-oscillating axle model and a 25-ton drop-frame machinery carrier. They are also showing new automatic coupling gear.

J. Brock-house and Co., Ltd., are also to introduce a new model at the Show. This is the 4-15, twin-oscillating axle (Continued on page 165) 15-ton semi-trailer which is also described elsewhere in this issue. Suspension is through Aeon 0260 pillow-type hollow rubber springs carried on rigid trailing arms pivoted on a full-width member in front of the axles. Brockhouse are also to display a 10-ton Interchangeable model with a 1,500-cu.-ft. Dove Distributor body and a 12-tanner.

Probably the most enterprising of British semi-trailer makers are Charles Pitt (Barton Stacey), Ltd., who, in 1960, showed novel suspension layouts using Aeon rubber springs. At this year's Show, Pitt will exhibit a straight-frame 16/17ton tandem axle semi-trailer with pressedsteel frame side-members and Rubery Owen axles and leaf spring suspension. They will also be featuring two novel tyNs of drop-frame low-loading semitrailers.

On of these is the Alligator, which has a c:ipacity of 12 tons and on which the side boards, wheel boxes and single-axle running gear are built as an assembly hit-wed at the front end and able to be lifted clear of the loading area by hydraulic rams. The other is the L.35 5/6-tanner which has inclined-trailingarm independent suspension through Aeon rubber springs. On this design the rear of the dropped platform can be lowered to the ground for loading purposes.

Eagle drop-frame A drop-frame model is to be one of the three units to be featured by Eagle

Engineering Co., Ltd. It will have a capacity of 25 tons and a lower deck measuring 20 ft. by 8 ft. A 4-ton winch will be mounted on the upper deck. The other exhibits which will be shown are a 12-ton drop-sided model 22 ft. long by 7 ft. 6 in. wide and a 6.5-ton fourwheel tipping trailer. The tipper has a. I2-ft. by 7-ft. by 4-ft.-deen body and tipping is by means of a hand-operated hydraulic system,

The Roadrailer, which has interchangeable bogies for road and rail travel flanged wheels for rail and conventional twin-oscillating axles for road), is again to he shown by the Pressed Steel Co., Ltd., who developed the design for FiritIsh Railways. Two models will be

shown. one to be used to demonstrate the operation of the interchangeable running gear and the second to be used as a cinema to show a film describing the Roadrailer's capabilities. Since the prototype model was exhibited at the 1960 Show, 50 Roadrailers have been delivered to British Railways for further trials.

Two newcomers to the Commercial Show are Boden Trailers, Ltd., and The Northern Trailer Co., Ltd. Boden will be showing a new 12-ton straight-frame semi-trailer of highly competitive price. The automatic-coupling version to be on the stand is listed at £650. This will be a 25-ft. by 7-ft. 5-in. version incorporating a Taskers D.S. coupling and Cary Laminaire suspension. The frame consists of hot-rolled 9-in. by 3.5-in, channel side-members with tubular and channel cross-members and pressed steel outriggers. Also to be seen on the Boden stand will be a tandem-axle maximum capacity model with Hendrickson rubber suspension and 15-ton semi-trailer with B.T.C. Fotr-in-Line running gear.

Northern are to show two models. The more interesting will be a 16/17-ton tandem axle semi-trailer built to comply with T.I.R. regulations for inter-Continental transport. The body, which measures 27 ft. by 8 ft,, has sides and is fitted with a tubular design superstructure with a special tarpaulin. The second exhibit will be a 15-ton tandem axle model with a 27-ft. by 7-ft. 6-in, platform body.

One of Five

A new semi-trailer for use with their articulated Land-Rover conversions for transporting oversized caravans up to 30 ft. by 8 ft., is to be one of the five models displayed by B. Dixon-Bate, Ltd. It is known as the V6OS and has a capacity of 3 tons. The sloping platform measures 23 ft. by 7 ft. 6 in. and the unladen height at the rear is 1 ft. 9 in. Loading is facilitated by a pair of detachable 11-ft. long ramps. The other four models to be shown are two-wheeled trailers. Two Model AC3Os are to be shown. These have open steel bodies 7 ft. 6 in. long by 4 ft. wide by 1 ft. 5 in. deep and have capacities of 30 cwt. One of them is be shown carrying a 250-gal. collapsible tank—one of a range of small and medium tanks marketed by DixonBate. The final two exhibits are of a similar size—one is a 15-cwt. jointer's trailer, the other a 12-cwt, general purpose trailer.

Two Latest Camels

Two-wheeled trailers will also be seen on the stand of M. F. Robertshaw, Ltd.. who will be exhibiting a selection of their Camel trailers which is a dual-purpose unit for the transport of goods and liquids simultaneously. Two recently introduced versions will be featured, a high-speed servicing unit and a firefighting unit. The servicing unit incorporates a dieselor petrol-engined alternator which supplies a compressor operating two oil pumps and one grease pump delivering to hose reels mounted at the rear. Other items required for vehicle and equipment maintenance are also fitted. The fire-fighting trailer has a 200-gal. tank, lightweight pump unit and all necessary items of equipment.

Scottorn, Ltd., are to introduce an interesting new model at the Show. This is the Bushmaster two-wheeled trailer which has a driven axle. The unit is intended for use behind a Land-Rover and the drive for the axle is taken from the Land-Rover's power take-off. Other models to be displayed include the Military " L " 1.-ton goods trailer and the Mamba 5-cwt. light goods trailer.

The new Noralok light alloy planking has been used in the construction of a mobile showroom to be exhibited by Rollalong. This unit measures 22 ft. long by 7 ft. 6 in. wide. An 18-ft. long mobile site office will also be featured.