Cargo transportation must have tools, many new drivers are confused about how to choose semi-trailers, often find that the trailer is not very applicable after use, and then find a place to change it, take time to spend money and may be punished on the road. So how can we buy the most suitable for their own semi-trailer goods?

Common trailer lightweight technology

Before that, let's take a look at the common semi-trailer lightweight methods. In order to effectively reduce the weight of semi-trailers as much as possible under the condition of ensuring safety, the lightweight technologies used by most semi-trailers in China are mainly as follows:

First: make a shaped hole in the frame

In order to reduce the weight of the semi trailer, most of the semi-trailer manufacturers in China will choose the side surface of the frame (commonly known as the girder), more or less drill a shaped hole similar to the one shown in the figure above.

Theoretically, this design will reduce a part of the weight, but after professional calculation, the weight reduced by this design is only about ten kilograms, which can only be the tip of the iceberg for a semi-trailer with a total mass of 40 tons. In addition, if the design is not reasonable, the side surface of the frame will crack and cause safety risks.

Second: use high strength steel and alloy materials

In addition to punching shaped holes in the frame, some semitrailer manufacturers are willing to spend money on materials, using high-strength steel to make lightweight semi trailers.

Some even use lightweight materials such as aluminum alloy on the frame. Although aluminum alloy can indeed reduce a part of the weight, but aluminum alloy has a disadvantage, that is, it can not be restored by external force after a larger deformation. In other words, "too soft". Therefore, most of the passenger vehicle in the world are steel and aluminum mixed body structure.

Third: using aluminum wheels

In recent years, no matter the full trailers or semi trailers, more and more vehicles began to assemble aluminum alloy wheels. Reasonable use of aluminum alloy wheels can reduce the weight of the whole vehicle. According to professional calculation, the 12 wheels of a three-axle semi-trailer are all assembled with aluminum alloy wheels, which can reduce about 300 kg at least.

Fourth: suspension system

In addition to the above lightweight measures, some interested trailer manufacturers will use variable section design of less spring steel suspension to further reduce the weight of the vehicle, and even equipped with "plastic plate spring".

In fact, this plastic is not that plastic, it is mainly composed of polyurethane and glass fiber (is used to do the truck guide hood material), after a certain special process made of a similar plastic material plate spring suspension. It has the characteristics of significantly reducing dead weight, excellent shock absorption, high durability, free lubrication, free maintenance, etc. The suspension is already being used in some Volvo passenger cars.

How is the "stronger semi-trailer" stronger?

Having said the lightweight semi-trailer, let's move on to "stronger semi-trailer". As the saying goes, "blacksmithing must oneself hard".So just how strong is this "stronger semi-trailer"?

First:high and thick frame with reinforced structure

When all semitrailers started to drill shaped holes in the frame to reduce the weight of the semi trailer, Stronger Semitrailers went the other way and placed the stiffeners in the right place. For example, the suspension system bracket, the frame goose neck points and other place easy to crack.

In addition, the tougher semitrailer uses 10mm steel for its frame, which only heavy-duty semitrailers use. Even more surprising is the fact that the steel used has to be controlled for the amount of rare metals in the steel to ensure optimal structural strength.

Second:unique suspension system

Most lightweight semi-trailers use maintenance-free lightweight suspension, which can reduce friction interference to a certain extent and reduce the weight of the whole vehicle.

The stronger semitrailer, on the other hand, has a unique suspension design that does not cause excessive tire bias wear (commonly known as "tire eating"), especially if the load center is not uniform. This suspension system reduces the chance of tire abnormal wear.

Third: the selection of axle

The general lightweight semi-trailer will choose Huajin brand axle which is light weight and high strength. Some trailer manufacturers will equipped the trailer with their own company axle in order to save costs or to save weight.There are also some enterprises willing to use the BPW brand axle,such as SUNSKY trailer did.

The Stronger Semitrailer, on the other hand, uses a strengthened axle that will carry more weight and be more durable than some trailer companies' own axles.

Fourth:there are ways to buy a semi-trailer

To sum up, the two kinds of trailers have their own advantages and disadvantages. Lightweight semi-trailer is light weight, suitable for transporting some not particularly heavy goods or high timeliness goods, such as express, medicine, daily necessities, etc. Mostly on the highway. "Stronger semi-trailer" focuses more on the bearing capacity and durability of semi-trailer, which is generally suitable for bulk cargo users and coal transportation users with uncertain supply of goods. Most of the operating environment is national roads, provincial roads and other roads of general quality.

Truck drivers do not need to be influenced by the manufacturer's propaganda, you can choose the right semi trailers according to your own needs. However, the most important thing is to match reasonably with the tractor. As the saying goes, "the train runs fast, all rely on the locomotive belt." Semi-trailer is good or bad, the key is whether to achieve a perfect match with the tractor performance.