Schmitz exploits artic loophole
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• Schmitz Trailers of Germany has designed a semi-trailer which exploits a loophole in the turning circle regulations governing 16.5m artics.
The patented design involves cutting away the front corners of the tilt and curtainsider designs, allowing the pallet and payload to protrude. The goods are protected by a thick rubber sheet and the tilt or curtain which, Schmitz says, do not form part of the trailer or its fixings within the definition of EC law.
Removing the right-angle corners allows the front bulkhead to be moved forward for greater internal volume while remaining within the 2,040mm front swing radius limit. The commonly accepted 13.6m length figure is only a product of the 2,040mm rule as applied to square corner trailers.
The loophole lies in the fact that EC directive 89/461 only requires the vehicle to manoeuvre within the 12.5m outer radius — no mention is made of the payload.
The new Schmitz trailers can take 34 1,200x800mm Europallets; one more than on the old design. Other makers claim a 34 Euro-pallet capacity, but only with an impractical lOmm clearance between each, says Schmitz. Its new design allows up to 170mm clearance.
So far 50 units have been produced for German, Danish, and other continental customers, accounting for 60% of this type of production, says managing director Bernd Hoffmann. But few UK buyers are expected because of our reliance on 1,200x1,000mm industrial pallets. These dimensions deny any benefit from the few extra inches of internal length.