CF builds a wider reefer
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• Crane Fruehauf will launch its new aluminium-bodied 2.58m-wide reefer trailer at this week's Temperature Controlled Storage and Distribution show in Manchester.
The 12.2m-long monocoque wide-bodied semi-trailer features a number of improvements over CF's previous 2.5-wide model, including an all-new floor, a revised optional side-door and a redesigned rear-loading aperture, which is claimed to be more resistant to loading damage.
The floor is made up of full length extruded aluminium sections which are continuously welded to give a one-piece waterproof floor pan, without the previous floor's unsightly cross welds.
Beneath the alloy deck is a 126mm-thick polyurethane foam core, mounted on a 6mmthick plywood subpan with a waterproof membrane.
Crane Fruehauf has retained its existing sidewall construction technique on the latest wide reefer, which has rivetted, alloy-clad side-panels with a white GRP inner skin and 60mm foam insulation (54mm on non-meat-rail versions).
The new reefer carries a six-year Class C ATP certificate, as well as full TIR documentation.
Interior length is 12,187mm and the interior width between the 190mm-high stainless steel kick-strips is 2,430min. Maximum interior height under the meat rails is 2,165mm.
Both the standard rear, and optional side doors have stainless steel fittings, and are built up using a 2rnm alloy outer skin and a glassreinforced plastic inner face over an injected foam core. Crane Fruehauf offers its wide reefer with a choice of fridge units and either tri-axle or tandem-axle running gear, with the choice of its own mechanical steel-leaf suspension, or air suspension. Other options include raising axles, with antilock braking equipment fitted as standard.
With the fridge unit, meat rails and optional side door CF's latest reefer will have a kerbweight of around 10,000kg. Prices start at around £33,000. For the time being CF will continue to manufacture a 2.5m-wide refrigerated semi-trailer, but it expects the 2.58m-wide reefer to supersede it.
LI CF is now building its skeletal trailers with boxsection outriggers. These not only give greater strength, but reduce the amount of support metalwork needed in each arm.