Technical Articles | Semi Trailer Engineering & Tanker Design

Technical Articles

MAX Trailer MAX300 Drawbar Trailer: Compact Construction Site Machine Mover

MAX Trailer MAX300 Drawbar Trailer: Compact Construction Site Machine Mover

An overview of the MAX Trailer MAX300 drawbar trailer โ€” designed for daily construction transport, with 2-3 central axles, low loading height, and excellent manoeuvrability.

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Drivers Are Reporting a New 2025 Breakdown Problem โ€” It Starts Small and Ends in a Tow Truck

Drivers Are Reporting a New 2025 Breakdown Problem โ€” It Starts Small and Ends in a Tow Truck

A driver-first look at a fast-growing 2025 breakdown pattern: small electrical or sensor glitches that quietly grow into full roadside failures. Learn what drivers are seeing and how to stop it early.

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Detachable Gooseneck Lowbed Trailers โ€“ Usage Areas & Transported Equipment

Detachable Gooseneck Lowbed Trailers โ€“ Usage Areas & Transported Equipment

A complete guide to detachable gooseneck lowbed trailers, their main usage areas and the types of heavy equipment commonly transported using this trailer type.

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Corrosion Protection & Surface Coating in Trailer Frames

Corrosion Protection & Surface Coating in Trailer Frames

Engineering overview of corrosion protection methods for semi trailer chassis โ€” including shot blasting, zinc-rich primers, hot-dip galvanizing, and long-term surface durability testing.

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Why Extendable Semi-Trailers Fail During Long Hauls โ€” Hidden Beam Stress, Slider Wear & Locking Pin Damage Explained

Why Extendable Semi-Trailers Fail During Long Hauls โ€” Hidden Beam Stress, Slider Wear & Locking Pin Damage Explained

A complete engineering breakdown of extendable semi-trailer failures: telescopic beam stress, slider wear, locking pin damage, resonance cracks, torsional overload and extreme-load misalignment.

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European logistics companies are rapidly increasing their tanker trailer orders due to rising fuel distribution needs

European logistics companies are rapidly increasing their tanker trailer orders due to rising fuel distribution needs

European logistics companies are rapidly increasing their tanker trailer orders due to rising fuel distribution needs, stricter ADR regulations, and growing cross-border transport volumes.

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Wheelbase in Trucks & Semi Trailers: Definition, Function & Design Impact

Wheelbase in Trucks & Semi Trailers: Definition, Function & Design Impact

Understanding what wheelbase means in trucks and semi trailers, how it affects stability, load distribution, and turning radius โ€” plus key differences between long and short wheelbase designs.

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Global Semi Trailer Producers: Key Players, Product Ranges & Regional Strengths

Global Semi Trailer Producers: Key Players, Product Ranges & Regional Strengths

An overview of leading semi trailer manufacturers worldwide โ€” from Europe, North America, South America, Asia and Africa โ€” including their core product ranges such as curtain-siders, reefers, lowbeds, tippers and tankers. From Turkey, Alura Trailer stands out with its heavy-duty export-focused lineup.

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Road Safety for Semi Trailers: Critical Guidelines for Fleet Operators

Road Safety for Semi Trailers: Critical Guidelines for Fleet Operators

A technical and practical guide to semi trailer road safety โ€” covering braking systems, load distribution, tire standards, lighting, suspension checks, coupling security, and preventive maintenance.

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Why Do Semi-Trucks Use Air Brakes While Automobiles Use Hydraulic Brakes?

Why Do Semi-Trucks Use Air Brakes While Automobiles Use Hydraulic Brakes?

An engineering-level explanation of why heavy trucks and semi trailers rely on air braking systems while passenger cars use hydraulic brakes, covering safety, redundancy, load capacity, regulations, and real-world failure behavior.

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Mechanical vs Electronic Braking: Cost per Failure in Heavy Transport

Mechanical vs Electronic Braking: Cost per Failure in Heavy Transport

A technical comparison of mechanical and electronic braking systems in heavy trucks and semi trailers, focusing on real-world cost per failure, downtime, repair complexity, and operational risk in harsh conditions.

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Extendable Lowbed Semi Trailers: Applications, Engineering & Key Advantages

Extendable Lowbed Semi Trailers: Applications, Engineering & Key Advantages

A full engineering guide to extendable (extendable deck) lowbed semi trailers โ€” covering telescopic chassis design, heavy haul applications, steering systems, load securing, axle configurations and why extendable platforms are essential for oversized cargo transport.

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What Are the EBS Fault Codes for Trucks? Full List & Troubleshooting Guide

What Are the EBS Fault Codes for Trucks? Full List & Troubleshooting Guide

A complete technical guide explaining EBS fault codes used in trucks and semi trailers โ€” including WABCO, Knorr-Bremse and Haldex systems, error groups, diagnostics and common repair steps.

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20โ€™ Container Workshop: Mobile Field Service Solution

20โ€™ Container Workshop: Mobile Field Service Solution

A compact and configurable 20-foot container workshop designed for demanding field sites โ€” integrating generator, compressor, machine tools and transportability for mining, energy and military use.

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Most Common Problems Facing Semi Trailers

Most Common Problems Facing Semi Trailers

A detailed overview of the most frequent issues affecting semi trailers โ€” from suspension wear and brake failure to electrical faults and cargo damage risks. Includes expert insights on prevention and maintenance.

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Brake Drum vs Disc Systems on Heavy Trailers โ€“ Heat Fade, Maintenance & Failure Modes

Brake Drum vs Disc Systems on Heavy Trailers โ€“ Heat Fade, Maintenance & Failure Modes

A deep engineering comparison of drum and disc brake systems on semi trailers โ€” heat fade, wheel-end overheating, maintenance costs, safety limits and typical failure modes.

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EV Trailer Design Research: Engineering Challenges in the Electric Truck Era

EV Trailer Design Research: Engineering Challenges in the Electric Truck Era

A research-driven technical article examining how electric heavy-duty trucks are redefining semi-trailer engineering through kingpin load shifts, regenerative braking effects, aerodynamics, and structural lightweighting.

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Container Types: How to Choose the Right Container for Your Load

Container Types: How to Choose the Right Container for Your Load

A complete guide to ISO container types โ€” Dry, High-Cube, Reefer, Open-Top, Flat Rack and Tank containers โ€” and how to choose the safest and most cost-efficient container for your cargo. Includes a Metric โ†” Inch converter used in container dimensions.

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What is Kingpin on a Semi Trailer? (Purpose, Sizes & Safety)

What is Kingpin on a Semi Trailer? (Purpose, Sizes & Safety)

Learn what a kingpin is on a semi trailer, its role in coupling, standard sizes such as 2โ€ and 3.5โ€, safety checks and EU/USA regulations.

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Africaโ€™s Mining Boom: Why Heavy-Haul Lowbeds Are in Short Supply

Africaโ€™s Mining Boom: Why Heavy-Haul Lowbeds Are in Short Supply

Africaโ€™s rapidly expanding mining sector has triggered an unprecedented demand for heavy-haul lowbed trailers. Hereโ€™s why the shortage is growing and which countries are driving the surge.

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Common Hydraulic Ramp Problems on Lowbed Trailers

Common Hydraulic Ramp Problems on Lowbed Trailers

Technical guide to common hydraulic ramp problems on lowbed trailers โ€” including leaks, pressure loss, cylinder wear, valve failures, ramp misalignment and a quick pressure loss diagnostic helper.

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How to Fix Truck & Trailer Electrical Systems โ€“ Most Common Problems and Fault Code Basics

How to Fix Truck & Trailer Electrical Systems โ€“ Most Common Problems and Fault Code Basics

Step-by-step guide to diagnosing and fixing truck and semi-trailer electrical problems: bad grounds, junction box corrosion, broken lighting circuits, ABS/EBS wiring issues, and voltage-drop troubleshooting.

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How to Diagnose Air Suspension Height Problems on Semi-Trailers (Step-by-Step)

How to Diagnose Air Suspension Height Problems on Semi-Trailers (Step-by-Step)

A complete troubleshooting guide to air suspension height problems on semi-trailers, covering leveling valves, air leaks, height sensors, load distribution issues, and step-by-step diagnosis.

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Semi-Trailer & Truck Tyre Pressure Chart โ€“ PSI/BAR Guide

Semi-Trailer & Truck Tyre Pressure Chart โ€“ PSI/BAR Guide

A complete tyre pressure chart for semi-trailers, including recommended PSI/BAR values for 385/65 R22.5 and 315/80 R22.5 tyres by axle load, trailer type, and operating conditions.

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How Hydraulic Systems Work on Trucks, Trailers & Heavy Lifting Equipment โ€“ Complete Technical Guide

How Hydraulic Systems Work on Trucks, Trailers & Heavy Lifting Equipment โ€“ Complete Technical Guide

A detailed engineering explanation of how hydraulic systems work on trucks, semi-trailers, tippers, cranes and lifting equipment. Pumps, valves, PTO, hoses, load pressure logic and safety systems fully explained.

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Ukraine Semi-Trailer Market Explodes in 2025 โ€“ The Surprising Boom Nobody Expected

Ukraine Semi-Trailer Market Explodes in 2025 โ€“ The Surprising Boom Nobody Expected

Fully technical analysis of Ukraineโ€™s rapidly growing semi-trailer market: reconstruction logistics, military transport effects, humanitarian corridors, lowbed demand, tanker shortages and future fleet renewal.

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Pendulum Axle Engineering โ€“ How Heavy Duty Modular Trailers Achieve Extreme Stability & Load Equalization

Pendulum Axle Engineering โ€“ How Heavy Duty Modular Trailers Achieve Extreme Stability & Load Equalization

A deep technical engineering analysis of pendulum axle systems: load equalization, hydraulic suspension logic, bogie torsion behavior, steering interaction and frame stress distribution in heavy-duty modular trailers.

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Brake Fade on Lowbeds Carrying Machinery: Causes, Heat Build-Up & Safety Risks

Brake Fade on Lowbeds Carrying Machinery: Causes, Heat Build-Up & Safety Risks

A technical analysis of brake fade on lowbed semi trailers transporting heavy construction and mining machinery โ€” covering thermal overload, drum and disc brake behavior, EBS/ABS interactions, downhill risks and preventive engineering measures.

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Why Aluminium Semi-Trailers Crack Earlier in Tropical Countries โ€” And Why European Fleets Still Switch From Steel

Why Aluminium Semi-Trailers Crack Earlier in Tropical Countries โ€” And Why European Fleets Still Switch From Steel

A deep technical investigation into aluminium semi-trailers, cracking failures in tropical climates, corrosion mechanics, material fatigue, and why European fleets still prefer aluminium over traditional steel.

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Why Modern EBS Systems Fail in Hot African Countries โ€” Hidden Thermal, Voltage & Modulator Problems Truck Drivers Never Hear About

Why Modern EBS Systems Fail in Hot African Countries โ€” Hidden Thermal, Voltage & Modulator Problems Truck Drivers Never Hear About

An in-depth engineering analysis of why EBS trailer systems fail in hot African regions โ€” thermal overload, voltage drops, CAN errors, modulator faults, sensor drift and poor grounding.

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Why Mercedes Actros MP5 & MAN TGX Burn Their Brakes Faster on Long Descents โ€” And How Trailer EBS Mistakes Make It Worse

Why Mercedes Actros MP5 & MAN TGX Burn Their Brakes Faster on Long Descents โ€” And How Trailer EBS Mistakes Make It Worse

A deep engineering analysis of why Mercedes Actros MP5, MAN TGX 2022 and other Euro 6 trucks overheat brakes on long mountain descents โ€” including EBS misconfiguration, brake fade physics, and common trailer faults.

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Air Suspension Height Control Failures โ€“ Engineering Causes & Fixes

Air Suspension Height Control Failures โ€“ Engineering Causes & Fixes

Trailer air suspension height errors cause tyre wear, poor stability, EBS misalignment and dangerous ground clearance issues. Here are the engineering causes and real-world fixes fleets can apply.

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Why Volvo FH & Scania R Trucks Destroy Their Alternators in Extreme Winter โ€” And How Trailers Make It Worse

Why Volvo FH & Scania R Trucks Destroy Their Alternators in Extreme Winter โ€” And How Trailers Make It Worse

A deep engineering investigation into why Volvo FH, Scania R, Mercedes Actros and DAF XF trucks suffer alternator failures, voltage dips, ECU resets and EBS communication errors during extreme winter operations.

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Trailer Electrical Problems in Winter โ€“ Hidden Failures & Real Fixes

Trailer Electrical Problems in Winter โ€“ Hidden Failures & Real Fixes

Winter causes the most electrical failures in trailers: corroded junction boxes, frozen connectors, weak grounds, CAN errors and lighting system crashes. Here are the engineering reasons and real fixes.

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AdBlue in Trucks: What It Is, Why Itโ€™s Necessary & How It Works

AdBlue in Trucks: What It Is, Why Itโ€™s Necessary & How It Works

A complete guide to AdBlue โ€” what it is, how it reduces emissions in diesel trucks, and why modern semi trailers and tractors require it under Euro 5โ€“6 regulations.

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Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) Regeneration: How It Works & Common Problems

Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) Regeneration: How It Works & Common Problems

Understanding DPF regeneration in modern diesel trucks โ€” how soot is burned, what triggers active or passive cycles, and the common issues causing clogging or warning lights.

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Why Women Truckers Outperform Men โ€” The 2025 Data Every Fleet Owner Should See

Why Women Truckers Outperform Men โ€” The 2025 Data Every Fleet Owner Should See

A global 2025 analysis showing why female truck drivers consistently outperform male drivers in safety, fuel efficiency, vehicle care and long-haul reliability.

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African Truck & Trailer Driversโ€™ Problems on the Road: Operational, Mechanical & Environmental Challenges

African Truck & Trailer Driversโ€™ Problems on the Road: Operational, Mechanical & Environmental Challenges

A technical and field-based overview of the daily challenges faced by truck and trailer drivers across African transport corridors โ€” including road conditions, braking issues, cargo security, weather extremes and cross-border logistics difficulties.

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Why Air Suspension Is Becoming the New Fleet Standard

Why Air Suspension Is Becoming the New Fleet Standard

Air suspension systems are rapidly replacing traditional mechanical suspensions as fleets demand smoother rides, better cargo protection, and improved long-term durability.

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Angolaโ€™s Industrial Expansion Drives Massive Demand for Semi Trailers

Angolaโ€™s Industrial Expansion Drives Massive Demand for Semi Trailers

Angolaโ€™s construction, oil, mining and logistics sectors are rapidly expanding โ€” creating a strong demand for fuel tankers, lowbeds, flatbeds and mobile workshops across the country.

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Explore expertly written engineering articles covering semi trailer design, tanker trailer technology, ADR compliance, mechanical suspension, and advanced fleet operations.