Thompson sets standard
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by Bryan Jarvis • Thompson Carmichael has unveiled a petroleum tanker which, it claims, sets new industry standards, way beyond ADR requirements.
The new 38-tonne 5500 spirit tanker is one of an order for six from Tankfreight for a Gulf Oil contract. It is based on Thompson's award-winning design featured in the Commercial Motor Trailer of the Year 1994.
All have RO-R axles which, in the original 5000-Series suspension, have 2.100mm axle track and 1,400mm spring centres to achieves a high roll centre. However, centre of gravity is limited in relation to tyre position on "full bump" by a tanker's belly height. On triaxle tankers this can exacerbate the problem of draining the rear compartment.
Thompson fits two automatic height control valves to the suspension. One is for normal running; the other allows the suspension to be inflated to its limit for draining the rear
compartment.
To lower its CoG further,Thompson gave the 38,000-litre tanker flatter sides and squarer bottom corners. The moulded wheelbox fairing's top edge is recessed to accept hoses.
Other safety measures include thicker (5.2mm) side walls with extra 900x 4.0min safety plates over a wide central extrusion band, all to minimise the possibility of rupture in the event of a rollover. To reduce rear impact damage the dished end is inverted, a flat panel is added and the cavity filled with Nilf lam foam. Its 5.0-tonne unladen weight is increased by around 500kg, nearly half of which is to satisfy ADR requirements.
GI Thompson Carmichael is also working on new, slightly heavier 5000/5500 designs at the new 2.55m HGV width limit which came into effect on 1 January 1996. Existing 2.50m-wide models are optional for more weightconscious customers— heavy locomotive and reefer widths remain 2.75 and 2.6m respectively.