Tuffnells has partnered with Don-Bur to develop a new, innovative easy-access “Mini-Wedge” trailer for urban use, providing enhanced collection and delivery services for customers. The new concept will increase efficiency by providing higher manoeuvrability in areas usually served by Tuffnells’ larger 18-tonne vehicles, and through maximising the utilisation of its tractor units for daytime distribution, reducing reliance on 18-tonne rigid chassis vehicles that can then be deployed on other customer routes. Supplied via TIP Trailer Services, the first 9m long single axle concept trailer has just rolled out of the Don-Bur factory and is destined for a brief trial to ensure the new equipment dovetails perfectly with existing delivery and collection operations around Tuffnells’ 33 nationwide depots.
Its unusual sloping “wedge” shape is tailored to allow easy access from ground level at the rear and also incorporates side access double folding doors and fold-down ladders for easy side loading and kerbside deliveries. The side door design also allows pallets to be loaded, if needed, through the side when making customer collections. Being an urban trailer with a short kingpin position and set back axle, it has excellent manoeuvrability, offering maximum flexibility for a multitude of uses within the last mile delivery and collection sector.
Despite its small stature, the new “Mini-Wedge” trailer design can carry an impressive 13,000kgs payload; far more than could be afforded by a mid-weight rigid vehicle. It also comes fitted with a host of safety features, such as additional lighting and specialised load restraint to cater for irregular dimension and weight (IDW) parcels and diminishing loads.
Tuffnells Services Director, Simon Parsons comments,
Working on this joint project with Don-Bur and TIP has been a privilege. We have taken a collaborative approach, combining design and engineering skills with our industry knowledge to deliver a practical, common-sense solution. The ‘Mini-Wedge’ will be of great benefit to our customers.
Tuffnells continues to make impressive progress with its fleet investment plan, including the roll out of 300 new trailers and a pipeline of over 200 new trucks soon to be supplied by DAF.
Tuffnells is the leading UK-based B2B carrier of items of irregular dimension and weight (IDW). Our unique directional trunking model provides ultra-efficient collection and delivery services for customers across the UK. From bicycles to tyres, wheel barrows to curtain poles, packaging to flat pack furniture - we handle the items other carriers can’t. Tuffnells is based in Sheffield, with a 100+ year heritage in the city.
