European Twin Deck Reefer

Here are photos of a Gray and Adams twin deck reefer trailer used in England. This particular trailer was a factory demo trailer being tested by Browns Transport, Spalding, Lincolnshire, England. Its a 40' reefer box 16'3" tall and can carry 42 standard 4'x3' pallets. I took these pictures on the day I collected the trailer from the factory to use as a demonstrator.

 

Here are a few pics of some reefers operated by Browns Transport in Spalding, England. the otherwise white trailers are used as advertising space. the attached trailers were sponsord by the Nationwide Building Society as part of their sponsorship of the England football team during the world cup. these pictures were taken by myself as we drove to various sites around Manchester durring an international friendly match played at Old Traford. Home of Manchester United.

 

Couple of pics of me and my wife whilst I was working for Browns Transport, prior to leaving the UK. I now live in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

 

I would say the biggest difference for most UK drivers is the density of trafic on the roads, and the extended time it takes to get any where. european trucks are speed limited to 56mph and limited by law to 40 mph on most major roads that are not motorways (freeways) for example my Depot was about 20 miles from the nearest freeway, that trip would take the best part of 50 minuets to cover due to speed restrictions and traffic.

I worked delivering food products to national store chain distribution centers. A typical day would start at 11 am, wait for tractor to come in ( trucks are hot seated and run 24 hrs a day ) collect a trailer and sit on the loading dock waiting for part loads to arrive from growers and manufacturing plants etc. Hope to be away on the road by about 2.30 pm and drive 4 - 4.30 hours to destination, in this case Bristol ( about 150 miles away ) note time taken to cover short distance.

Arrive at distribution center for timed delivery By 7 pm. wait 2 hours to tip, break down and check load and obtain signed paperwork.

9 pm leave bristol drive 2 hours to collect return load on way home.
11pm arrive at dispatch warehouse, wait 1 hour to load.
12 midnight leave to run back to home 2 hr drive.

Time up 15 hours run ( max permited by law ) take 9 hours off and do it all again the next day. Not bad 15 hours worked and only about 320 miles driven, but hey I was paid by the hour, basic for 8 hours then time and a half for all further hours. Double time all day if it was sunday. when you are paid by the hour you dont mind hold ups as long as the canteen serves good coffe and you have good company to enjoy passing the time with ( there were at least 5 or 6 loads a day to each destination so there was allways another company driver to chat with. ) in fact we usually ran down together in convoy.

I also worked on over the road ( Tramping ) but thats another story

 

I can see where there would be a hight issue, also in Europe the tri axel trailer if pulled with a 3 axel tractor and both are fitted with road friendly suspension ( ie Air Ride ) then the max Gross for the combination is 44 metric tonnes, ( 44000 KG ) or 96800 lbs. The trailer weights in at about 26400 lbs and a UK tractor about 22000 lbs so that leaves a pay load of about 48400 lbs.

These units are usually used for either High volume low weight produce like fresh lettice etc, or for loads that canot be double stacked or stacked to high for fear of damage to the cartons, fresh yogart for example or any other chilled produce or food which is heavy and squashable. so a single layer of palletts would waste space.

but you are right, I could get one of these trailers with sterring rear axels into some very tight spots but the long wheel base pete still looks better.