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ore orders or G&A aeros
Page 14
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• Lincolnshire-based TIR operator Hargrave International has been so impressed with the prototype Gray and Adams aerodynamic reefer trailer it has been running on evaluation trials, that the company has bought four more. The windcheating Gray and Adams semi-trailer has been operating in Hargrave's fleet since the middle of last year (Commercial Motor 5 May 1988), and, says managing director Graham Eames, its performance has been "absolutely brilliant".
Eames reports that the streamlined reefer, which normally runs behind a Leyland Daf 95.350 twinsteer tractor with full air management kit, "has created a great deal of attention, and generated additional work because of its smart appearance". Hargrave now has three more Gray and Adams aero reefers, with another on order.
The 12.2m trailers are based on a conventional 24-pallet capacity Gray and Adams chassis-less design, with PVC insulated body panels. They feature additional lifting side skirts which extend from be• hind the landing legs to the rear door frame. Two panels, one either side of the trailer, cover the underslung 20metric-pallet storage cage. while there is a further lifting panel on each side of the traile, immediately behind the triaxle bogie, which can be raised to give access to the spare wheel carrier. Each lifting panel is raised by a gas strut and can be locked down.
Although the original prototype trailer, which was equipped with SAF airsuspended Series 9000 tubular axles on the bogie, has alloy lifting side panels, the latest quartet of trailers have GRP side panels.
With a full aerodynamic kit fitted and a Thermo King Super Boss II fridge unit, the G and A trailer tips the scale:: at around 9.5 tonnes.
Eames says that the prototype trailer "pulls like a dream, particularly in crosswinds which shows the aerodynamics must be working". Based on operating runs to Spain, the 95 Series G and A aero reefer combination is averaging 33.2 litres/100km (8.5 mpg) compared with around 35 litres/100km (8 mpg) achieved by a conventional Hargrave artic combination on similar work.
While Hargrave is not revealing how much it is paying for the Gray and Adams trailers, Eames says that the full aero kit can add up to 25,000 to the normal trailer price, depending on specification. The original 95 Series artic and prototype trailer costs £92,000.