A good connection guaranteed – 500 Schmitz Cargobull dolly trailers already delivered

A good connection guaranteed – 500 Schmitz Cargobull dolly trailers already delivered

Rising demand especially for EcoDuo combination
August 2021 – Schmitz Cargobull’s dolly trailer is a success story. The current version is produced at the Altenberge site and is becoming increasingly popular, particularly as a connecting element for 25.25-metre long trucks or especially for the 31.5-metre EcoDuo combinations in other European countries. So far, a total of 500 units have been ordered and delivered to a range of customers. 

Like the semi-trailers, the twin-axle dolly trailer is based on Schmitz Cargobull’s popular modular system. When the variable air suspension, established ROTOS running gear system and Multi Ride Height system are combined with different tyres, it can be used for both standard and MEGA fifth wheel heights. Thanks to the range of drawbar options, the dolly trailer can also be used for low underfloor couplings and with all coupling positions and versions. To ensure an optimum ride response, dolly trailers are equipped with a swivelling fifth wheel.

The dolly trailer is used both for 25.25-metre combinations as well as for full vehicles with a length of 31.5 metres. In Schmitz Cargobull’s preferred EcoDuo combination, two standard semi-trailers are connected via the dolly trailer and coupled to a tractor unit. This flexible concept – based on standard trailers – has a number of plus points. In conventional long truck concepts, the length of the load carriers used can differ, meaning they cannot be combined for flexible use, requiring fleets to invest additional money. And because there are no standardised European regulations, it is difficult to conduct unbroken cross-border transport jobs. The concept has already been approved in Scandinavia and is currently being tested in Spain and the Netherlands. 
 

The dolly trailer is used both for 25.25-metre combinations as well as for full vehicles with a length of 31.5 metres.

The two trailers in the EcoDuo trailer combination can easily be split between two tractor units at border points or in specific areas. When compared to conventional tractor units and one trailer with a 40t total tractor-trailer weight, the EcoDuo concept offers several advantages. For instance, fuel consumption per transported tonne is reduced along with CO2 emissions, there is less strain on the road network thanks to fewer tractor units in use, and roads and bridges are better protected because axle loads and trailer numbers are lower. The entire vehicle combination is sustainable and kind to the environment. It also helps to counter the lack of drivers as just one driver can transport two trailers with one tractor unit over long distances.

With the EcoDuo concept, Schmitz Cargobull is advocating the Europe-wide introduction of a transport concept that reduces the burden on the existing infrastructure, reduces CO2 emissions, takes into account current transport industry standards – particularly for multi-modal transport jobs – and can ideally be used for extra-urban transport.
 

About Schmitz Cargobull 

Schmitz Cargobull is the leading manufacturer of semi-trailers for temperature-controlled freight, general cargo and bulk goods in Europe and a pioneer in digital solutions for trailer services and improved connectivity. The company also manufactures transport refrigeration machines for refrigerated semi-trailers for temperature-controlled freight transport. With a comprehensive range of services from financing, spare parts supply, service contracts and telematics solutions to used vehicle trading, Schmitz Cargobull supports its customers in optimising their total cost of ownership (TCO) and digital transformation. Schmitz Cargobull was founded in 1892 in Münsterland, Germany. The family-run company produces around 60,000 vehicles per year with over 6,000 employees and generated a turnover of around 2.4 billion euros in the 2023/24 financial year. The international production network currently comprises ten plants in Germany, Lithuania, Spain, England, Turkey, Slovakia and Australia.


The Schmitz Cargobull press team:

Anna Stuhlmeier:  +49 2558 81-1340 I anna.stuhlmeier@cargobull.com 
Andrea Beckonert:  +49 2558 81-1321 I andrea.beckonert@cargobull.com
Silke Hesener:  +49 2558 81-1501 I silke.hesener@cargobull.com