Ultra-light composite semi
Page 8
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
by Bryan Jarvis • Stevens of Lakoren. Belgium, is developing an all-composite flat semi-trailer weighing just 3,800kg and capable of hauling loads of more than 36 tonnes.
The company has invested £ 500,000 over five years on the trailer which, with a curtainsided body, will weigh no more than 4.5 tonnes.
The GRP boxvan bodywork is already available and Stevens' managing director J Verhaeghe says the potential for producing lightweight highcube vehicles is enormous.
At last month's Trailer '97 exhibition at Kortrijk, Belgium, Stevens showed a video of the tri-axled prototype laden with 36 tonnes of stacked timber undergoing trials over forest tracks and on Belgian pave.
Driven over rough, undulating surfaces at a claimed 90km/h the side raves could be seen bending and flexing several centimetres each way then resuming their normal shape when the road evened out.
According to Verhaeghe, the tests have been running for several months without any sign of defect. The composite beams seem to produce a dampening effect that normal steel or aluminium framed trailers just don't seem capable of. says Verhaeghe who, despite being covered by worldwide patents, is secretive about the design.
However, he does reveal that apart from the king-pin and air suspension spring blades there is no steel in any part of the construction and that the static tests comprised a million 12tonne point loadings on to the main beams. An important factor is the way the axles are connected to the chassis.
The new design will be shown to European operators late next spring.