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with multiple drop-offs are unlikely
to reach high enough speeds where
aerodynamics will have any effect at all.
Then, there’s another subject not
touched on yet: cube and double
decks. A ‘Blade’ panel Lifting Deck
trailer can have a tare weight of 13
tonnes or more. The benefit though is
a full 52 mid-weight UK pallets; enough
to cut delivery frequency in half which,
in turn, almost halves your fuel cost.
All in all, it’s horses for courses.
Aerodynamics plays a huge part
with trunking trailers whereas
weight becomes a more important
consideration for secondary distribution
rigid vehicles.
* Based on 80,000 miles per year and
a bulk diesel price of 76.21ppl.
There are many variables, so it is by very nature inexact, but the following
table offers a broad guide to the load vs. fuel economy puzzle:
NB: Fuel economy figures are rounded estimates based on information from
previous trials and publicised data. Localised variables will affect the figures.
# indicates where urban trailer stop-start figures can be misleading: the fuel
economy would improve significantly with a reasonable amount of A-road
or motorway work
Trailer Description Axles
GVW Trailer Tare Tractor Tare Payload Pallets
(UK GKN)
Mean
Average
Speed
Fuel
Economy
10m Long, 3.6m
High Curtainsider
Urban Trailer
1
26000kgs 5000kgs
5500kgs 15500kgs
18
20mph mpg tbc#
13.7m Long, 4.2m
High Curtainsider
Flat Roof Trailer
3 44000kgs 7500kgs
8600kgs 27900kgs
26
50mph 9mpg
13.7m Long, 4.350 High
Curtainsider Teardrop
Trailer
3 44000kgs 7500kgs
8600kgs 27900kgs
26
50mph 10mpg
13.7m Long, 4880m
High Curtainsider Fixed
Double Deck Trailer
3 44000kgs 10000kgs
8600kgs 25400kgs
52
50mph 7mpg
13.7m Long, 4880m
High Curtainsider
Fixed Double Deck
Trailer (EcoStream Roof
Version)
3 44000kgs 10000kgs
8600kgs 25400kgs
44
50mph 8mpg
13.7m Long, 4880m
High Curtainsider
Lifting Deck Trailer
3 44000kgs 12000kgs
8600kgs 23400kgs
52
50mph 7mpg
An Argos max-cube Longer Semi Trailer with a tare weight of 14.9 tonnes capable of carrying
60 UK pallets.
AT-A-GLANCE GUIDE
v
24
Logistics Business Magazine | February 2016
TRAILER ECONOMY