Radical designs of trailers are racking up big gains in fuel consumption on the road in research and development tests. They suggest that we are entering a new era in aerodynamic design for large goods vehicles, reports Steve Banner
Can fuel-economy truck tyres really offer operators something for nothing? Richard Simpson finds out
Tyres & Retreads
Might there be a better way to cut road freight emissions and reduce congestion than operating HGVs in tight formation, asks Peter Shakespeare
Road Legal
The maintenance requirements of lifting deck trailers go far beyond the checks and servicing needs of standard vans or curtainsiders. Options are available for both outsourced and in-house maintenance, reports Will Dalrymple
Lifting Equipment
As this year’s preview tells, only one of the big seven truck OEMs has its own CV Show stand. Some of them might be holding back their new model for launch at the main European event this year, IAA, which features its biennial focus on commercial vehicles. Without it, investment in a big stand in the centre of the hall might be difficult to justify.
Telematics
Only a few weeks to go before the commercial vehicle world converges at the NEC, 24-26 April, for the usual outing of trucks, vans and light commercial vehicles, accessories and aftermarket parts. Our product news coverage is organised into four sections: trucks and vans, bodies and trailers, components and accessories, and services. Each is alphabetised by company name.
Light Commercial VehiclesThe "bus bar" of the fuse panel on the power distribution board (PDB) could be loose. This may cause faults in circuits associated with the fuse board circuits. Manufacturer reference: TI54.15M10640A. Number affected: 6. Vehicle IDs: WEB62801623134063 to WEB62801623134068.
RecallsThe front passenger airbag may be faulty. There may be insufficient protection especially for smaller passengers in the front seat because of incorrectly folded passenger airbags. Manufacturer reference: 69U2. Number affected: 81. Vehicle IDs: WV1ZZZ7HZJH083234 to WV1ZZZ7HZJH084897 and WV2ZZZ7HZJH083037 to WV2ZZZ7HZJH084891.
Recalls
Kent-based Harlex Haulage Services has taken delivery of a new plant body from Andover Trailers – the first time the company has opted for a new-build from the Hampshire manufacturer.
Bodies & Bodywork
Value retailer Boyes has taken delivery of a fixed double-deck trailer, from Transdek UK, which has been designed to accommodate the operator’s 1,830mm-high roll cages for deliveries to stores in urban areas.
Loading/Unloading Equipment
Tarmac subcontractor Heathrow Haulage has become the 250th company to achieve FORS Gold accreditation, increasing its mpg by almost 5% in just six months.
FORS
News comes in this month from four suppliers of components for commercial vehicle bodybuilding
Bodywork