Wincanton: longer trailers possible in 18 months

Although the road transport industry is still assessing the case for longer semi-trailers, logistics operator Wincanton believes they could be an operational reality within 18 months.

Wincanton technical service director Dave Rowlands says longer semi-trailers, matching the 18.75m overall length of drawbar applications, represent a big opportunity for the industry. "There is a lot to be done, but the principles are set. They could here in 18 months," he says.

The supply chain provider is working with consultants assessing the Department for Transport's drive towards sustainable transport. Wincanton supplied eight detailed case studies from different sectors of the industry to consultants looking into the potential of longer semis, and says more than 48,000 journeys could potentially benefit from longer trailers, cutting out around 2.1 million miles and 1.1 million litres of fuel, equating to 2.9 million kg of CO2.

Rowlands adds: "My gut feeling is [longer semis] will get the green light because they tick all the boxes: productivity, carbon footprint, fuel economy, plus links to intermodal applications."

Wincanton is working on two designs for dry freight and containers. Theoretical designs for a nominal 15.5m trailer, making it 18.65m overall, with a rear-steer axle, would create space for four more pallets, which would reduce road mileage by 10%.

Wincanton argues that a 15.5m-long semi-trailer would improve compatibility on intermodal options for road/rail containers and "interface with railcars widely used by rail freight companies".

He adds: "The next stage is to negotiate on the geometry. I hope there are not too many caveats on their use, such as motorways only, and height restrictions."

One challenge is keeping a longer vehicle within the existing swing restrictions, but weight is the biggest problem, Rowlands says, in order to maintain a viable payload at 44 tonnes.