SDC specialist trailers will be on display at IAA
UK trailer manufacturer, SDC Trailers has announced it will be present at the world’s leading transportation and logistics trade fair – the 65th IAA Commercial Vehicle show in Hannover from 25th September to 2nd October 2014.
SDC will be showcasing a number of trailers from their comprehensive range for road haulage and transportation. The impressive line-up includes SDC’s ‘Fastliner’ Buckleless Curtainsider with Stobart livery, a Low Ride Height TIP Skeletal, the SDC ‘Autoliner’ Car Transporter and the company’s striking Event Hospitality Trailer.
As the largest UK trailer manufacturer, SDC has worked with some of the world’s top logistics providers to custom-build products in line with their specific transport requirements. The ‘Fastliner’ Buckleless Curtainsider features sliding concertina aluminium planks attached to the curtain running in the standard roof rail and on steel tracks attached to the side rave eliminating the need for side posts and giving a clear side aperture for easy loading.
The sliding concertina aluminium plank system provides customers with additional load security during transit and can be fitted with double decking beams or straps for roll cage retention. From the outside SDC’s Fastliner trailer resembles their standard curtainsider however the smart design offers increased aerodynamics, accessibility and safety functions. SDC also offer the option of EN12642XL certification on the Fastliner, a symbol of quality accreditation awarded by German certification agency TÜV-NORD.
Next to the Fastliner, SDC will showcase a Low Ride Height TIP Skeletal trailer. Fully compliant with 45’ High Cube ISO shipping containers, the low chassis ride height allows an overall height of less than 4m to be maintained. The trailer chassis is fabricated in high tensile steel and optimised with the use of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to obtain a robust construction yet lightest weight. Container guide devices make loading faster and help prevent damage to the chassis or container during loading. The skeletal trailer is fully compliant with European Whole Vehicle Type Approval (EWVTA) and all OEM components are industry standard and size – making them readily available and easily serviceable.
SDC will be also displaying their patented Autoliner car transporter launched in 2013 in response to a demand from vehicle transport operators. The innovative semi-trailer offers increased flexibility over the standard car transporter, with additional operational and fuel saving benefits. Two hydraulically adjustable lifting decks are designed to carry a payload of six large SUV type vehicles or eight standard size cars. The main chassis of the trailer incorporates a custom design suspension arrangement with disc brakes to provide maximum stability.
In the run up to the show, SDC’s Managing Director Mark Cuskeran, said, “We have seen a significant level of interest coming from international operators were the standardised trailer doesn’t fit the bill. Our engineers are highly qualified to meet the needs of international operators whether their objective is innovation, customisation or value for money.”
SDC Trailers receives accreditation on three trailer designs
Meanwhile SDC has added two Step Frame Double Deck trailers and their Straight Frame ‘Fastliner’ trailer to the list of EN12642XL certificated units, following successful completion of dynamic testing by German certification agency TÜV-NORD.
The comprehensive structural assessment was carried out at Alconbury Airfield from 18th – 20th August 2014. SDC are pleased to add the three new designs to their existing range of certificated trailers, confirming the quality, build strength and safe load containment of their trailer designs.
To achieve the EN12642XL certification, each trailer had to be fully laden with a load that became unstable at 0.2g to ensure the load is moving into the bodywork during the tests. The trailers then underwent a series of assessments including 180 degree turns, ‘S’ curves and deceleration testing. The first certificated double-deck trailer was built to SDC’s standard construction with aluminium roof, sloping front and fixed second deck. Following this, the second step-frame had a steel roof with wrap around rear curtain design, sloping front and fixed second deck. Both of the double deck curtainsider designs were certified by TÜV-NORD to 4.95m overall height and to a payload of 29,000kg.
The third trailer to be assessed – the SDC Fastliner, comprises a straight frame curtainsider fitted with a sliding concertina aluminium plank system attached to the curtain. The system runs in the standard SDC roof rail with steel tracks attached to the side rave. The smart design from SDC eliminates the need for side posts giving a clear side aperture for loading. The concertina planks are fitted with slots/holes designed for the fitment of double decking beams or straps for roll cage retention. From the outside SDC’s Fastliner trailer resembles their standard curtainsider, however the aluminium planks provide customers with additional load security during transit. The Fastliner trailer was tested to a 29,000kg payload – 2,000kg more than the standard continental trailer certification of 27,000kg.
During the 180 degree and ‘S’ curve assessment the lateral acceleration had to reach a minimum of 0.5g and the deceleration test 0.8g. At one point during ‘S’ curve assessment a lateral acceleration 0.61g was reached.
