Trio of Schmitz Cargobull trailers join Dale Brothers

Telford-based Dale Brothers has replaced three temperature controlled trailers with new S.KO COOL semi-trailers from Schmitz Cargobull with Carrier Transicold refrigeration units. The fourth-generation family business operates a fleet of circa 110 trailers, around 60% of which are Schmitz Cargobull supplied. 

Neyland Dale, joint managing director at Dale Brothers, said: “Schmitz Cargobull trailers are  great value for money. Certain features that come as standard are extra from other manufacturers, such as an aluminium floor.

“It’s one of the many reasons that we’ve been buying reefers from them for the past 15 years. They’ve proved hard-wearing and excellent tools for the job, which form the backbone of our busy temperature-controlled operation.”

For work in Europe, two of the units feature pallet boxes and all are equipped with disc brakes. Due to the continental work the company does, the S.KO COOL’s construction with the body integral to the chassis means the trailers have a lower ride height and meet the 4m height restriction. 

Dale added: “They also have their own brand of load lock rail internally, which is excellent and works with a wide range of equipment.”

The new trailers use Schmitz Cargobull’s Ferroplast technology which combines a polyurethane hard foam with multiple layers of coated metal. This setup results in better thermal insulation meaning operators are able to reduce fuel consumption. 

“An advantage of the ‘metal skin’ is that compared with trailers made from glass reinforced plastic, it can endure dents and knocks. As it’s supposed to, the metal bends but doesn’t break or shatter, so the trailer and its load remain intact,” Dale said.

Supplied by Geoff Ward, regional manager for the North West, Wales and the West Midlands, instead of the standard two years free access to TrailerConnect, Dale Brothers upgraded to eight years. The system allows operators to monitor trailer temperature and performance using Schmitz Cargobull’s beSmart app.