Don-Bur's Teardrop trailer a hit with M&S

Don-Bur says the launch of its new Teardrop trailer will have a massive impact on the haulage industry, and is confident that this revolutionary new shape will eventually become standard. Marks & Spencer, which has already conducted secret tests with the Teardrop, reveals that it gives a 10% fuel saving over a regular box trailer, and is capable of carrying 16% more load. It has just placed an order for 140 units on the strength of these results.

The idea came to fruition last year after the trailer maker showed a teardrop-type double-decker prototype at its forum. Don-Bur marketing manager Richard Owens explains that a representative from M&S was impressed, and asked whether the same principle could be applied to regular-height trailers. This triggered several months of research on Don-Bur's part. "To develop the ultimate aerodynamic shape, we decided to work with the whole vehicle rather than just the trailer," says Owens.

The M&S trailers have been developed specifically for use with the Daf CF tractor. According to Owens, if these particular trailers were to be used with a different make of truck, the fuel economy gains would be less impressive, but would still be better than when coupled to a regular trailer. Don-Bur says it is happy to develop further variations of Teardrop to suit other marques.

As well as the obvious full-length roof curve, other aerodynamic additions include rounded-off corners, trailer skirts and the closing of the gap between tractor and trailer. These features all help to reduce turbulence and drag. At its highest point, the Teardrop is some 500mm higher than a regular trailer, which Don-Bur agrees could be an issue for hauliers operating in areas with stringent height restrictions. However, it tapers down to regular height at the rear, meaning it will fit into a normal loading bay.

The Teardrop, which has been patented by Don-Bur, is going to be "marginally" more expensive than a normal trailer. The same shape can be applied to curtainsiders and drawbar combinations. "Other operators would be stupid if they didn't consider the Teardrop. We are confident that this will be the next big thing in transport," says Owens.

Marks & Spencer's verdict...

M&S says each Teardrop has the ability to carry the equivalent to 10,560 more pairs of knickers than a regular trailer, and estimates that the 140-strong fleet will reduce its carbon footprint by 840 tonnes every year. Simon Ratcliffe, general merchandise logistics director at M&S, says: "The Teardrop trailers are another step in our efforts to make our UK and Irish operations carbon neutral under Plan A, M&S's five-year eco-plan. "Don-Bur's revolutionary design has helped us not only reduce fuel usage and carbon emissions, but also allows us to carry more stock per trailer, cutting the number of journeys we need to make."