We visited Kidman Haulage to see how the company had fared during its year with our Trailmaster trailer prize.
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• Winning a trailer free for a year has helped smooth the way for family firm Kidman Haulage to move from tipper work into general haulage.
The Cambridgeshire-based company has just completed that year running a Trailmaster 12.2m curtainsider, courtesy of Commercial Motor, alongside its fleet of eight artics and rigids. Transport manager Michael Kidman estimates that it has saved the company 25,000 over what it would have cost to hire a similar trailer.
The company will now concentrate on general distribution after winning a contract with a chemicals company and selling its last two tippers in September. The firm, which four years ago ran a fleet of seven tippers, was forced to make the move because of a slump in house building. Now it carries loads throughout the UK ranging from toys and magazines, to food, packaging products, nuts and bolts.
Kidman was considering buying a new trailer before he won the Commercial Motor competition, but was worried that there might not be enough work to justify the purchase. lie has discovered there is, and now plans to invest in a new-length 13.6m curtainsider before Christmas: "We have been able to dip our toes in the water, without having to buy it."
Kidman has also bought an ERF E6 and ES6 to help on the contract with Readingbased Gibson Chemicals, which began last month. However, he does not plan to buy the Traiknaster trailer, despite being given the option by the manufacturer. At E15,000, he thinks it is too expensive; it now needs new tyres and a paint respray.
The tri-axle trailer, which has Trailmaster, CM and Kidman liveries, has raised the profile of the company: "It definitely stood out in the crowd," says Kidman.
The drivers enjoyed the smoother ride provided by the Trailmaster's air suspension, says Kidman. He was also pleased with the 80,000km life of the trailer's Bridgestone tyres; the midand back-axle tyres were switched after eight months to balance the wear. Two small problems were the lack of a rear step and of a front and rear tensioner. Although these were irritants, Kidman reports, the driver soon got used to it. "By the end of the year, he was a lot more agile, climbing up the trailer," jokes Kidman.
Most of Kidman's eight drivers have been with him for at least five years. Kidman finds it easier to train existing staff rather than recruit drivers from outside, and one van driver is currently being trained for an HGV.
Kidman had a double stroke of bad luck with his Foden tractive unit which was used to pull the Traihnaster trailer.
Just before Commercial Motor visited the company last year to hand over the trailer, one of the drivers had reversed into the unit. This February, one of Kidman's relief drivers crashed and damaged the same Foden. "It could have something to do with the numbers on the registration plate adding up to 13," jokes Kidman. I=1 by Juliet Parish