Forecasting Se mi-trailer Trends
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SPEAKING at the January meeting of the Norwich Traffic Club, Mr. John Crane, executive director of Crane Fruehauf Trailers Ltd., made several forecasts regarding the future of semi-trailers in Britain, including the opinion that there would be a big increase in the use of chassisless van semi-trailers, in which connection he cited the position in the U.S.A., where something like 90 per cent of all long-distance road haulage was carried out with articulated outfits, and 60 per cent of these were chassisless vans.
Mr. Crane also saw a future for semitrailer containers, using a system whereby running gear and front legs could quickly be attached to a container to convert it into a semi-trailer: these units were now common in the States, according to Mr. Crane, and he felt that their use as interchangeable vans for road, rail and sea services could be developed over here. He went on to say that the proposed new Construction and Use Regulations would make the appeal of articulated vehicles even greater, but that with the increased loading on a single axle the demand for twin-oscillating-axle types would most likely decrease.
With respect to couplings, Mr. Crane spoke in favour of the fifth-wheel type c8 and saw the use of these being extended to all units except those of 8 tons or less, and for short-distance shuttle services. He expected the use of two-line airpressure braking systems to increase— even on light outfits—and said that the trend was towards the use of the simple cam brake rather than wedge brakes.
On the subject of suspension, Mr. Crane remarked that big steps had been taken recently towards the elimination of axle hop and the reduction of the need for lubrication, but that air suspension —because of its comparative cost and complication—had a usefulness that depended on the type of operation, as its biggest advantage was when travelling unladen.