mikez

The doors on trailer usually open and fold with the side to be flush with the side so the trailer can dock with the bay.

If the trailer extend out to the meet the dock, then the extension will have to be strong enough to hold a fork lift driving in and out carrying goods (marbles maybe? ). Not to mention that during the winter the draft will be mighty cold for the warehouse workers lol.

trukn1

Am aware that EVENTUALLY this MAY catch on, but until it is found to be feasible for everyday, practical application, as well as cost effective to purchase, it will never catch on. Mercedes has been designing trucks and trailer concepts for years, and they have always looked cool, but practicality is not something that they have managed to grasp the concept of.

Correct, trucking companies, not the drivers (company drivers) pay for fuel and are always constantly looking for new ways to improve fuel mileage, while keeping costs of equipment down as well as keeping the trailers light so that more freight can be loaded in order to keep the weight of a FULLY LOADED truck under 80K lbs (federal maximum allowed without special permits). Owner/operators, who have their own operating authority and do not contract through a company, pay for their own gas out of their pockets, so their INCENTIVE to find ways to save fuel is greater. Owner/Operators who are contracted to a company pay for their own fuel at a reduced rate which is shared by the company as well.

This would be ideal, although on it's BEST day, with the correct gearing, no wind, and correct placement of the fifth wheel(coupling assembly), along with the weight of the load, tractors only AVERAGE at best 8 mpg; and even this is a rarity. Most average around mid 5's to low 7's. Remember, we are pulling up to 46K lbs per load (fully loaded) and it takes ALOT to make that kind of power necessary to not only get it moving, but also to keep it moving at a reasonable rate of speed.

You seem to have a VERY GOOD grasp of how this industry works,,,,hats off to you!!!

Fancy floor means reinforecement and hydraulics, which also equate to more weight on the trailer. Object is to keep trailer weight as light as possible.

Not trying to preach to the choir here, just sharing "on the job" experience from a personal standpoint. Am a 10 year(and counting) trucker, and the strides in the "go green" movement in the trucking industry have been going on for ALOT of years. YES, the concept LOOKS good, and I think it would be a cool novelty vehicle, or one that can be used on special mission purposes (car shows, exhibitions, etc.), but on an EVERYDAY, practical standpoint, it just doesnt work.

VIPG35

iTrader: (6)

That thing is a huge hauling beast