Plenty of front
Trailer manufacturers continue to adopt aerodynamic revisions to reduce drag and fuel costs, but what about the cab? Dave Young looks at impending advances in tractor units
Oil to burn
There may be a welcome respite in diesel prices, but don’t be fooled: it won’t last. Ian Norwell looks at the fundamentals of keeping fuel costs under control
On the threshold of a perfect transport storm
Most of us have a love-hate relationship with deadlines: meeting them can be stressful, even costly, but beating them brings that sense of achievement. So it might be with Driver CPC (certificate of professional competence): with the vast majority of drivers qualified by the 10 September due date, we can relax. Ditto, perhaps, Euro 6: manufacturers met compliance targets and operators are running the trucks. So, again, job done.
P&C Hamilton chooses Vector 1550 and Gray & Adams for latest trailer
Temperature-controlled transport operator P&C Hamilton says the promise of reducing unladen weight and improving fuel efficiency led it to specify its first Vector1550 unit from Carrier Transicold UK.
Safe and secure
Developments around loading bay operations are set to improve safety way beyond the bay itself and out onto the vehicles. John Challen reports
Safe and sound?
Prohibition notices are still being srved for insecure loads, despite the rise of EN 12642-XL certified curtainsiders. Steve Banner examines the issues and warns operators that the European standard is not a simple fix
Safer lorries
With the truly horrific consequences of accidents involving heavy trucks still fresh in our minds, Brian Tinham looks at technologies set to make a difference
Saving the planet
It’s not just about environmental preservation, but good old-fashioned efficiency and cost saving. Brian Tinham reports on Prof David Cebon’s sustainable freight findings
Scania trials spoiler claimed to cut truck fuel by two percent
Scania has begun tests of a rear air deflector, known as a boat-tail, said to reduce fuel consumption by up to two percent. The truck giant suggests that, if proven, that corresponds to an annual saving of 1,200 litres of fuel and three tonnes of CO2 emissions for a truck running 200,000km per year.
Informed pragmatism
Getting trailer specifications right – not just for the immmediate requirement but also for the longer term – demands up to date knowledge of available technologies. However, a serious dose of informed pragmatism is also advisable, warns Brian Tinham