Longer truck testing commences at MAN in Germany 19 October 2012

MAN has revealed it is participating in longer-truck field trials currently being conducted all over Germany.

Since the beginning of October, a 25.25m-long MAN truck road train has been shuttling between the MAN logistics centres in Dachau and Salzgitter, transporting spare parts for trucks and buses.

MAN's long truck comprises a three-axle truck chassis with a swap body, a dolly, and a conventional semi-trailer. As well as ABS and ESP braking and stability systems, the 440bhp MAN TGX tractor unit involved has been equipped with adaptive cruise control, LaneGuard and MAN's continuous damping control systems (CDC).

The German vehicle manufacturer says it has deployed a long truck on this journey – which is almost 600km-long – to study the traffic, commercial and environmental impact of longer vehicle combinations.

The loading volume offered by the truck is some 40% more than that of a conventional road train, without increasing the permitted gross weight of 40 tonnes.

Because two long trucks can transport as much as three conventional road trains, fuel can be saved and CO2 emission reduced.

The vehicle is being operated by Große-Vehne, a haulier headquartered in Marsberg, Germany. MAN states that the driver was specially trained for the job by instructors from the company's ProfiDrive division.

Author
John Challen

Related Companies
MAN Truck & Bus UK Ltd

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