GRP van range from York
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A NEW range of chassisless van semi-trailers, using single sheets of Glasonit laminate for sides and front, has been introduced by York Trailer Co Ltd.
The trailers, designated the GRP series, are built on the base frame already used on York's existing, and wellknown, range of Freightmaster vans. The trailers also use the same running units, rear-door frame and container-type doors, and, similarly, by the use of York's Alchem process, all steel parts are chemically protected against rust.
The trailers will supplement York's existing ranges, the Freightmaster continuing to be the main semi-trailer van offered by the company.
The 18 mm thick Glasonit panels, which consist of a Douglas Fir wood core sandwiched between laminates reinforced with heavyduty woven roving glass, are attached to the frame outer rail using standard Huckbolts. A smooth interior has been achieved by using Hucktainers which provide a low profile both inside and out. This means the operator can use the full width of the van without projections to snag the load.
Interior width of the GP is 2.44m (8ft 01/4 in), enabling two standard 48 in pallets to be loaded side by side. Width through the standard doors is 2.42m (7ft 113/8in). As with Freightmasters, the rear aperture gives the same height through the doors as the interior height.
York sees the total market potential for GRP trailer vans as being fairly restricted although interest and inquiries, particularly from the food industry, have clearly been enough to justify the introduction of this new range.
For the time being at least vehicles offered as standard will be restricted to the GP24, a single-axled unit with a plated gross trailer weight of 19.75 tons, and a tandem, the GP34, with a plated gross trailer weight of 29.25 tons. Both models will be available in interior lengths of 9.7m, 10.9 m and I 2.2 m (32ft, 36ft and 40ft). There are also three height variations offered, 2.4m, 2.61m and 2.7m (8ft, 8.5ft and 9 ft).
Unladen weight olthe GP and Freightmaster is virtually identical, but unlike the Freightmaster there will not be a vast number of options available. For example, non-standard lengths will not be available unless ordered in quantities of more than five vehicles. There will be no side-door options either. Options, in fact, are restricted to those which in no way effect the Glasonit panels. The main advantages to operators are the high resistance to impact damage, the ease with which exterior and interior surfaces can be cleaned (of particular importance to food carriers), and the smooth gelcoated exterior surface which is ideal for sign writing. The prototype trailer, which has been in service for nearly a year, much of it involving roro ferry services, certainly shows little signs of wear and tear on the bodywork—and this is in spite of the fact that the trailer has been used extensively for fork-loaded pallets.
The new vans will be manufactured at the Northallerton factory of York where special equipment has been installed for handling the large sheets of Glasonit.