differences between US and EU trailer

From what I've seen recently I'm suspecting a 6*4 setup as one of the biggest factors in fuel consumption , however 6*2's need to be lift axle for traction

 

Flatbeds have an arch put in them for strength. It's so that you can haul heavier loads with a lighter trailer. Yes if you are trying to load long and light you usually end up cribbing the ends because they don't touch the trailer. I'd rather crib long loads than pull a lead sled or worry about breaking a trailer when I load extra heavy.

 

When volvo first hit the US market the F6 and F7 were very close to the UN speced truck we had a F7 . It was a little to light for our use . A liter job it would have been great ! We ended up using it as a city tractor ( much better setting) ! Early 80 era.

 

Was that the cab-over f series like here? I didn't know they sold those over there

 

I used to drive F10 with refer container + dr. bar trailer chassis with one more 20' refer container.

It was very reliable truck.

 

This is a pretty good video about how to load a livestock trailer, shows the inside pretty good. A number of years ago there was a manufacture who made a livestock trailer that was convertible where you could drop the top deck and load van freight. One of the issues was the lift mechanism. The manure would cause them to corrode and not work properly after about a year. Another issue was the vents in the sides of the trailers. They all had to be filled in with blanks that slid into rails on the outside of the trailer. If they got dinted they wouldn't work. And the biggest issue was the Manure its self. The trailer had to be washed and cleaned spotless before hauling any type of food product. Manure is a carrier of e-coli, which isn't good if you get it in your food. And the smell is another thing. End users don't want there product coming in smelling like s***.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5s8irNAA8_s&feature=related[/ame]