Tough tests for curtains
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• I refer to the recent letter from Mr Tonge (CM 12-18 Dec 1991) regarding load restraint.
Mr Tonge stated that there was an apparent acceptance that the material of tilt sides will hold 20 tonnes plus in the event of the vehicle making a violent movement.
cannot speak for tilt bodywork but I can assure Mr Tonge that my company's curtain-sided bodies will hold in excess of 20 tonnes, and on one curtain at that! We have invested considerably in independent, quantified testing of the load bearing properties of our curtain-sided bodywork using the facilities of the Ministry of Defence, Motor Industry Research Association Test Track and the Loughborough University of Advanced Technology.
We have had individual components tested but the essential testing must be with the complete vehicle. Your readers may be interested in the variety of tests to which we have subjected our product, Static Tilt Test: A curtain-sided trailer was loaded with 23 tonnes of unsecured beer barrels. The trailer was chained down on tilting platform. The trailer was tipped over so that the wheels on one side of the trailer were off the ground and until such time as all the load was pressing down on one curtain. The vehicle was held in this position, El Circular G' Force Test: A vehicle had electrode sensors fitted to the inside face of the PVC side material. The vehicle was fully loaded. An extension arm with wheel was fitted to one side of the vehicle to avoid it tipping over. The vehicle was driven round a circular track gathering speed with each circuit. The load pressure on the curtains was monitored and recorded from the sensors. 0 Figure of 8 Test: A curtain-sided vehicle was loaded to capacity with a full unrestricted load. The vehicle was then driven, at speed, from side to side, on a figure of eight course causing the load to 'bounce' from one side curtain to the other.
This testing process is an ongoing one and each test provides us with data on the integrity of the total structure of our bodywork and pressures and strains, placed upon individual components.
I suspect that Mr Tonge's concern is more to do with the fact that any bodybuilder can buy a kit of parts, buy some curtains and build, and sell a
curtainsider. They incorrectly sell this as a loadbearing body.
Prestigious companies such as Ryder Truck Rental and Transfleet Services have a preferred list of curtain-sided manufacturers. They cannot afford to have safety problems.
It is no coincidence that the manufacturers on this list are companies that have demonstrated an ongoing programme of testing and improvement to their product.
Giles Malpas Joint managing director, Southfields Coachworks, Loughborough.