For transporting two large, open top containers, a combination of a heavy truck and a full trailer is the way to go. A full trailer can stand on its wheels without any support, regardless the weight distribution. The standard configuration for such a big rig is a trailer with three axles, coupled to a truck with three or four axles, resulting in a 50 metric tons combo.
A fine example rolled and roared along the curb, the other day. The Scania S500 6×2 (500 hp from a 12.7 liter, inline-six) was towing a GS trailer. The truck’s hooklift system is also used to put a container on and off the GS.
That must be a load of fodder beets, I’m quite sure the rig was on its way back from a dairy farm nearby. The tall containers as seen here, with grain hatches in the doors, are widely used in the agribusiness.
“If only I was allergic to tobacco and beer”…that’s what it says on the back of the trailer, when translated. Duly noted.
The full (and full) trailer follows the track of the truck perfectly. No shortcuts here, when cornering. Also, the overall length limit for a truck and trailer is 18.75 m (61’6”) rather than 16.50 m (54’2”) for a semi.
Now reversing the rig is another story. Skills and experience are required for backing up a big truck and full trailer flawlessly, as such a trailer has two steering pivot points, instead of only one. Anyway, CC’s Kiwi Trucker Bryce can tell you everything about it.
Watch this video to understand the meaning of “backing up flawlessly”, starting on the main road and then all the way to the back of the yard.
Similar combinations:
2010 Scania Conventional 6×2 Truck – It Left The Factory As A Cabover
2018 Scania R520 6×2 Truck And 2012 GS Meppel Trailer – Big Bags Of Bricks Delivery Service
Skill and daring. The rig had to drive into the oncoming traffic lane to execute the sequence, stopping traffic in both directions. This is common when semis make right turns on sharp, city road corners too. Will Level 5 autonomy ever be possible for trucks like this? Or will they always require a pilot?
That’s quite the impressive rig. Unfortunately, I loathe beets; my ideal conveyance for them would be Matchbox-sized.
Nice backing single axle dolly and a short drawbar can be tricky they will go real wrong real quick but he bent that around in style, I was backin 5 axle trailers today 2axles on the dolly and if anything they are more predictable and the trick is knowing what they will do and counteracting it before they do it, All you really do is stop with the back of the trailer pointing where you want it to go and push it backwards steering it with the dolly when it goes wrong stop and pull it back to where its right and try again all it takes is practice