I’m no truck driver or operator in fact I’m clueless but still need information.
I work for an engineering company and we are in the process of designing a product that needs to be delivered by road in the UK and EU. As we are still at the design stage we can tweek the dimension a bit to allow maximum numbers to be transported on a single consignment.
Rough size is 2.4m long x 1.2m wide x 2.7m high x 2500kg and we need to keep loaded height below 4m
We’re looking to have trailers manufactured with specific securing fasteners for the containers which will hopefully be within the footprint of the container, think small ISO container. We had hoped to fit ten on a single trailer but then we’ve been asked if its possible to incorporate a Moffett or HIAB.
I’ve been trying to work out rough payload capacities form web searches which is proving difficult. I’m also trying to utilise standard trailer designs to keep costs down, up to present I’m considering low profile flatbed, skeleton and drawbars. I’m visiting trailer manufacturers but being clueless don’t have the right questions to ask. Is there an expert in the house that can see the most cost effective way to fit my items on a trailer. Many thanks.
You definitely need to talk to the experts at a trailer manufacturer as a priority, they will probably have ideas about securing the product since width capacity is limited. 1st thoughts. With those approximate dimension you will only get 5 each side so 10 x 2500kg = 25t which may give you sufficient weight capacity for a 2.5t plus lift Moffett and the necessary ballast at the front of the trailer for empty running. Cut the weight of the product down and a lighter Moffett could cope. However the trailer manufacturer will be better informed regarding weight, recommended trailer length and payload capacity. The HIAB option I would say is much more of a problem from its own weight and the need to lift 2.5t @12metres. That is mounting the HIAB on the trailer,while if it is on the tractor unit it has to lift 2.5t at greater reach.That means talking to the vehicle manufacturer regarding specification which will increase the unit unladen weight. You will then run into possible legal overall length issues possibly as well as crane ton/ metre capacity. Do not forget the weight of the chains and tensioners needed If you are close to 44t all up. Whatever happens you will probably be running loaded one way only. You will also need to consider diminishing load weight distribution if multi drop deliveries are going to feature, the driver won’t be handballing 2.5 t containers around!
An alternative to Cav’s suggestion is to use a lighter and lower capacity crane, mounted behind the cab and disconnect the prime mover to unload.
What is the maximum length semi-trailer allowed? Can you load the containers across the trailer, five fore and five aft, of a crane, centrally mounted to the trailer?
For International EU work you are limited to 40T gross wt, not the UK 44T.
Consider moving goods from the UK on a Euroliner trailer, and using local vehicles for the delivery to site?
4.0m ht, is also the EU international limit.
Thanks for your reply.
I did look at 44t but couldn’t really work out a rough payload. I also got a bit confused over the 41t limit and going up to 44t, is there special conditions where the 44t has to be used. I’ve seen mention of payloads limited to 22t, 24t and 30t. I am having meetings with a number of trailer manufacturers but need armed with the right questions and knowing if I’m going down the wrong path. Chains and tensioners won’t be needed as special locking fittings will be welded in place. Diminishing load will be an issue, thanks for bringing that up.
13.6 m although Don Bur quote some designs at 13.7m. Load security regulations BS EN 12642 XL apply
Thanks for your reply.
The containers have to be mounted length ways as they have top lifting eyes, bottom fork pockets on the side and a special side clamp for tele handlers. Having a crane at the back of the cab might work well with a drawbar trailer that could be disconnected for loading and unloading, a shorter reach is possible.
Thanks for your reply.
Max 40t gross wt is really great information.
The items are fully weather proof so don’t need to be covered. The items come under ADR regulations but no special modifications are needed to the tractor and trailer just orange placard, safety equipment, paperwork and the right driver. I mentioned 4.0m height as I was already aware on that limitation.
I must admit to being confused as to why a manufacturer is getting involved in buying specialist trailers?
If the items have top lifting eyes, then surely they could be loaded across the bed by crane?
You might not need to have covered trailer, but is there a reason not to use one?
Put some suitable attachment points and just strap them to a standard euroliner. Use the many hauliers running out of the UK empty for a cheaper rate.
Don’t make the job harder than it needs to be…Or is there summat I’m missing?
If you really need your own vehicle then a rigid with a crane on the rear of the chassis, and a drawbar trailer, might be worth looking at.
Forgot EU thanks. Can you get 2.7m inside a Euroliner? 2.7 m load height could be a problem with over the top securing in enclosed bodywork and 4m overall height without a low ride height tractor. 2.7m +1250mm standard 5th wheel height only leaves 50mm for the trailer rubbing plate and the floor. Welded lugs and 1.2m “container” width could be an issue keeping within 2.55 m overall width since the two inboard sides have to be secured as well as the outboard if we are not lashing over the top. Otherwise it will be 2x2 laterally linked twistlocks x2 (ie 4 twistlocks per container and eight per container row) on a special skelly trailer to keep within the width and height limits.
EU deliveries will need alternative positions to carry 8 or 9 containers as well as the full 10. Now we are adding a lot of ironmongery but at least we are starting off with a skelly.
And I was not looking closely at the height !
2.7m is tight.
But look at this
Tweek the design to lose 5cm off the top? Incorporate strapping points on the base, and load across the bed of a euroliner trailer.
Your not missing anything that’s why I’m here asking questions from people who have knowledge like you. The items will be transported to many varied sites, quarries, construction, airports, agricultural, etc some could be remote which is why we are incorporating a number of lifting options. Using standard trailers would be great if we can make the figures work. Having an enclosed area is also something we need to avoid. We are really struggling with height and cannot reduce any further which is why I was looking for a lower loading deck height.
Would I end up being over a weight limit of 40t, 10 x 2500kg = 25000kg + crane + tractor and trailer. I still don’t know how much payload I can play with on a 40t unit. We may be limited to 8 x 2500kg. Thanks for your input.
I’m sorry I can’t answer that vital question because I can only make assumptions regarding the weight and dimension of the necessary HIAB or Moffett and the weight of the Tractor unit and Trailer. Off the top of my head at 40t I guess 8 or maybe 9 containers. A ball park figure would be 8.5t for the tractor unit and 7.5t for a curtainside trailer and maybe 2.5t for a moffet that can lift 2.5t without being at its limit. Get the weight down and lighter Moffett possible.
The trailer manufacturers will have computer programs to calculate quite quickly various options and positions for crane or Moffett models.
If you can incorporate Twistlock Pockets in the top and bottom corners of the container design it may make securing them easier since it would be possible to link them together laterally without necessarily increasing overall height more than minimally. The drawback being that someone has to climb on top to fit the links and remove them.
I am wondering why you are thinking of doing this yourselves rather than just asking a UK haulier to come up with a solution or have you tried that already? If you mention the County you are located within then others can make suggestions who to contact.
Unless the company is doing it’s own installation job? Then just get the end customer to off load the goods.
Let them decide whether to use a crane or forklift depending on the site.
I would think of looking at a UK haulier for the UK drops, but consider farming the job out for the EU.
Why buy a trailer/unit/crane etc etc plus all the legal stuff involved.
For a good contract an established haulier might well buy special kit if the job warrants it. Still easier than starting your own transport division.
I’d be looking at some of the heavy hauliers like Bowler, Collet, Kings and CPL who do European abnormal and who might be interested in coming up with the right gear to do the job. That is a selection from NESW. I’d definitely keep clear of hauliers from over the water, it might be cheaper but it will only be a return load for them so little interest in customer care.
Edit Add: If I have got this correct you don’t have any equipment yourselves and are planning to get a haulier to provide traction for your trailer. In which case I would recommend having a talk with one of the heavy hauliers who can advise you regarding travelling in Europe above 4 metres in height which is possible because they do it. Also you are challenging the width limit with the need to secure two containers abreast on each row hopefully within height limitations.
You are also looking to be self sufficient regarding loading and unloading which means additional constraints to payload from length and weight limits. AFAIK you can’t come under STGO concessions because the load IS devisible, just potentially not economic if carrying fewer than10 containers.
The one thing I am failing to understnd is these potential “Welded locking fittings” . If they are within the footprint of the container how is the loader going to secure them to the floor of the trailer if the inner sides are butting up to one another? If they protude from the footprint then the load exceeds the width limit and there is still a problem locking them in place. If we are doing away with chains over the top, unless the containers are linked on top then how are they secured to the floor? A securing device (or two) on the outside edge of each container is inadequate without something securing the inner sides.
Of course you know how much your truck crane etc weighs!!! Just take it to a weighbridge in full,running fondition
Ball park figures are really good places to start it give’s me a broader understanding of what I’m likely to come across, I had no idea a tractor unit would weigh as much as 8.5t. Thanks We have already trialed an off road Moffet which has to be the 3.5t model with 1.5t counter weight. Climbing up is not an option for H&S reasons, any fixing will have to be operated at ground level. This project is in very early development stage so involving a haulier when it may be 2-3 years before product deployment isn’t something I thought a haulier would be interested in. We are UK based and are already at a very early stage of talking with trailer manufactures.
We will not be providing traction and will rely on good hauliers who know what they are doing far better than me. Fastenings maybe manual or automatic operation depending on what we design but will also be within the footprint of the box on all four corners. Economics of delivery is a big part of what I am assessing, trailers built to our own specification is a big cost but looks like our only option and one that has been factored in. 10 on a trailer with no lifting equipment may be possible or we may have to try a shave 1t to get to 24t payload. 8 on a trailer or fixed with drawbar and lifting equipment looks like another possibility.