Alliance Automotive adds 16 new Don-Bur trailers to its fleet

The passenger and commercial vehicle parts distributor, Alliance Automotive, has added 16 new Don-Bur box van lifting deck trailers to its fleet. The 13.6m long units are liveried with ‘NAPA Auto Parts’ branding as Alliance Automotive is the American company’s official UK distributor. 

Don-Bur worked with Alliance Automotive to tailor these trailers to meet the specific needs of the business. The process involved several discussions and site visits to evolve the trailer design from double-deck curtainsiders that were previously used on this job. 

Daniel Challinor, commercial director at Don-Bur, said: “Partnering with Alliance Automotive on this project is a testament to Don-Bur’s engineering expertise and adaptability. These tailored box van lifting deck trailers are built to enhance their logistical operations, and we’re confident they will deliver outstanding performance.”

As the trailers will be carrying a range of parts for cars, light commercial vehicles and trucks, Alliance Automotive needed a flexible load space. The trailers measure 4.95m high and have a wedge box van double-deck design. The lifting deck platform offers a full-length capacity of up to 10-tonne which is operated by a single ram, rope and pulley lifting system. At the rear, there’s an 1,800mm platform two-tier column tail-lift with a 1,500kg capacity. The completed units are designed to offer swift loading and unloading processes for both decks. 

Additional features that make the trailers suitable for Alliance Automotive’s operations include a wedge chassis design. The sloping chassis uses 445/45 R19.5 mini single wheels to provide an uninterrupted load space inside. At the front, deck apertures start at 1.74m and increase to 2.06m at the rear to help improve load volume. When fully loaded, the trailers are capable of carrying 120 dollies and 960 totes. 

In contrast to the curtainsiders the company previously used, the new units feature Don-Bur’s proprietary blade panels which are made up of 7.5mm composite material. The lightweight panels are said to offer good impact resistance to extend the life of the trailer. The units also have a LowGlide safe ground coupling which allows drivers to couple from the side of the vehicle instead of needing to access the catwalk.