With the possible exception of Euroliners, most trailers are extendable. The vast majority work on the central spine principle, once the locking pins have been released, an inner spine withdraws from the outer spine.
When first introduced some 50 years ago, single extendable was the norm – as manufacturing methods improved, double and triple extendables became available. Nowadays, 36m trailer length is not uncommon – in comparison with a standard trailer at 13.60m, giving an additional 22m – always respecting the fact that the cargo must be indivisible in the first place.
Wind Turbine Challenges Result in Introduction of 5-times Extendable Trailers
Purely in connection with the wind turbine industry, some specialist manufacturers now offer five times extendable, with lengths up to and exceeding 70m. To put this into perspective, the overall, total length is the equivalent of five standard trailers, end to end.
Elsewhere we have touched on the question of manoeuvrability – at the lower end, purely the use of self-tracking axles, thereafter ranging through turntables, steered axles, remote systems etc. The longer the unit and trailer, the more challenging this becomes.
One of the roles of the STG Team is to keep abreast of all developments in the multiple fields of transport – land, air and sea – given that every day problems arise which need a solution.
