SDC Trailers backs Government's longer trailer trial

SDC Trailers has welcomed the recent announcement from the Department for Transport that a trial of longer semi-trailers will be undertaken and has embraced the opportunity for the UK trailer industry to play a key role in growing the economy and reducing the environmental impact of the road haulage sector.

 
In March, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, Mike Penning MP, launched a public consultation to consider extending the maximum length of semi-trailers.
 
Extended trailers would allow operators to carry higher volumes of goods but still meet the current regulations with regard to maximum permitted weights and turning circles. Legislation permitting longer trailers would deliver significant economic and environmental benefits with less vehicles on the UK road network and the associated reductions in fuel usage and carbon emissions.
 
Since then, SDC claims it has been at the leading edge of high-volume trailer technology and has conducted extensive trials with some of its customers to develop prototype vehicles.
 
It has already manufactured and tested trailers one metre and two metres longer than the current maximum length of 13.6 metres and equipped them with steering axles to meeting current turning regulations. The company believes this experience and expertise places it ahead of its rivals and allows it to offer a well-developed and cost-effective product for operators.
 
SDC is ready to meet demand from road haulage operators and is confident its products will match the needs of logistics companies looking to make the most of the  advantages offered by longer semi-trailers. In addition, its factories have been extended to accommodate high-volume trailers and it has secured production slots with manufacturers of self-steer axles.
 
Mark Cuskeran, SDC Trailers Managing Director, said: "The trial is an important milestone for the UK trailer industry and the road haulage sector as a whole. Trailer manufacturers don't usually get a chance like this to make a real and tangible environmental difference to the sector. We've developed and tested three extended trailer products and this experience now puts us in a strong position to meet demand from operators wishing to take part in the trial. We've secured production and supply of steering axles and we believe that puts us ahead of the game."