Technical Articles | Semi Trailer Engineering & Tanker Design

Technical Articles

Tyre Sizes, Wheelbase & Weight Distribution: The Complete 2025 Semi Trailer Optimization Guide

Tyre Sizes, Wheelbase & Weight Distribution: The Complete 2025 Semi Trailer Optimization Guide

A practical and highly detailed guide covering tyre size selection (17.5 vs 22.5), optimal wheelbase configurations, and correct weight distribution for safer, more efficient semi trailer operations in 2025.

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Hydraulic Steering Systems in Lowbed Trailers: Precision Turning for Heavy Haul Transport

Hydraulic Steering Systems in Lowbed Trailers: Precision Turning for Heavy Haul Transport

A deep technical overview of hydraulic steering systems used in lowbed and heavy-haul trailers โ€” covering turning geometry, steering cylinders, control valves, lag behavior, and advantages for tight-radius operations.

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Global Semi Trailer Market 2025: Growth Regions & Africaโ€™s Rising Demand

Global Semi Trailer Market 2025: Growth Regions & Africaโ€™s Rising Demand

An analytical overview of the global semi trailer market in 2025 โ€” highlighting key growth regions, fleet renewal trends, and the rapidly increasing demand in African countries such as Ghana and Kenya.

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Advanced Suspension Systems in Modern Semi Trailers: Air, Mechanical & Steering Axles Explained

Advanced Suspension Systems in Modern Semi Trailers: Air, Mechanical & Steering Axles Explained

A comprehensive guide to suspension technologies used in modern semi trailers โ€” including air suspension, mechanical spring setups, steering axles, load distribution dynamics and durability considerations for heavy-duty applications.

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Robotic Welding in Lowbed Trailer Production: Precision, Efficiency & Durability

Robotic Welding in Lowbed Trailer Production: Precision, Efficiency & Durability

An in-depth look at how robotic welding revolutionizes lowbed trailer manufacturing โ€” covering welding automation, quality control, material optimization, and production throughput in modern European trailer plants.

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Semi Trailer Production Technology in Europe: Automation, Materials & Quality Standards

Semi Trailer Production Technology in Europe: Automation, Materials & Quality Standards

A comprehensive look at modern semi trailer production technology in Europe โ€” including robotic welding, high-strength steels, automated axle assembly, digital quality control and EN/ISO-based manufacturing standards.

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Suspension Systems in Semi Trailers: Air, Mechanical, Single-Point & Heavy-Duty Designs Explained

Suspension Systems in Semi Trailers: Air, Mechanical, Single-Point & Heavy-Duty Designs Explained

A complete engineering overview of suspension systems used in semi trailers โ€” including air suspension, mechanical spring suspension, single-point systems and their effects on load stability, ride quality and durability.

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Fifth Wheel to Trailer Interface Tribology: Friction, Wear Patterns & Lubrication Science

Fifth Wheel to Trailer Interface Tribology: Friction, Wear Patterns & Lubrication Science

A technical exploration of tribology at the fifthโ€wheel and kingpin interface โ€” covering friction behavior, lubrication requirements, wear mechanisms, temperature rise, and the impact on trailer neck structure.

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Kingpin Plate Thickness Selection: Load Path Engineering & Stress Distribution in Heavy Trailers

Kingpin Plate Thickness Selection: Load Path Engineering & Stress Distribution in Heavy Trailers

A technical deep dive into how kingpin plate thickness, load path geometry, weld design, and frame alignment influence long-term durability in lowbed, flatbed and tanker trailers.

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Hydraulic Steering Lag in Multi-Axle Lowbeds: Why Turning Angles Deviate Under Load

Hydraulic Steering Lag in Multi-Axle Lowbeds: Why Turning Angles Deviate Under Load

A deep technical analysis of why hydraulic steering systems in 3โ€“8 axle lowbed trailers develop 'steering lag' under load โ€” causing incorrect angles, tyre scrub, and dangerous cornering behaviour.

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Bogie Torsional Coupling Mismatch in Multi-Axle Semi Trailers

Bogie Torsional Coupling Mismatch in Multi-Axle Semi Trailers

A deep engineering analysis of why 3โ€“5 axle bogie groups often fight each other โ€” causing tyre scrub, suspension failures, airbag overload and frame cracking in heavy haul lowbed and flatbed trailers.

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Why Cross-Member Resonance Breaks Trailer Chassis: Harmonic Vibrations Explained

Why Cross-Member Resonance Breaks Trailer Chassis: Harmonic Vibrations Explained

A deep analysis of harmonic vibrations in semi trailers โ€” how cross-member resonance, weld toe fatigue, and road frequency matching cause structural failures in lowbed, flatbed and tanker trailer chassis.

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Why Kingpin Plates Fail: Heat Transfer, Neck Flexing & Micro-Yielding Mechanisms

Why Kingpin Plates Fail: Heat Transfer, Neck Flexing & Micro-Yielding Mechanisms

A deep engineering analysis of kingpin plate cracking in semi trailers โ€” covering thermal transfer from tractor fifth-wheels, neck flexing, micro-yielding, steel fatigue cycles and real-world failure patterns on lowbed, flatbed and tanker trailers.

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Thermal Aging & UV Degradation in Air Suspension Rubber Bellows

Thermal Aging & UV Degradation in Air Suspension Rubber Bellows

A highly technical breakdown of how rubber bellows age under heat, UV exposure, ozone attack and pressure cycles โ€” including crack formation, micro-fissures and early-life suspension failures in semi trailers.

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How to Select the Right Axle for Lowbed Semi Trailers?

How to Select the Right Axle for Lowbed Semi Trailers?

Axles determine the load capacity, stability, steering performance, and legal compliance of a lowbed trailer. Incorrect axle selection can cause structural failures, instability, and regulatory violations.

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Why Low-Ground-Clearance Trailers Fail in Africa: Engineering Reasons & Real-World Case Studies

Why Low-Ground-Clearance Trailers Fail in Africa: Engineering Reasons & Real-World Case Studies

An in-depth analysis of why low-ground-clearance semi trailers struggle on African routes โ€” covering engineering limitations, axle impacts, suspension travel, approach angles and real mining & construction transport incidents.

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Preparing for Winter: Top 10 Fleet Maintenance Tips for Trucks & Trailers

Preparing for Winter: Top 10 Fleet Maintenance Tips for Trucks & Trailers

Essential winter maintenance checklist for fleet operators: inspect tyres, brakes, fluids, batteries and more to ensure trucks and semi trailers perform reliably in cold conditions.

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Fleet Management: How to Check Trucks and Trailers Before Operation

Fleet Management: How to Check Trucks and Trailers Before Operation

A professional guide for fleet operators: key inspection points for trucks and semi trailers before each trip โ€” ensuring safety, compliance, and reduced downtime in heavy transport fleets.

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Extendable Semi Trailer Producers: Technical Systems & European OEMs

Extendable Semi Trailer Producers: Technical Systems & European OEMs

In-depth look at extendable lowbed/flatbed semi trailers from European manufacturers and Turkeyโ€™s Alura Trailer โ€” covering telescopic beams, locking systems, cable routing, load-compatibility and heavy transport best practices.

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Dynamic Load Testing & Real-World Validation of Trailer Frames

Dynamic Load Testing & Real-World Validation of Trailer Frames

A detailed guide to dynamic load testing and real-world validation for semi trailer frames โ€” including strain gauge placement, vibration analysis, and correlation with FEA results.

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DPF Systems in Trucks and Semi Trailers: How Regeneration Affects Fleet Efficiency

DPF Systems in Trucks and Semi Trailers: How Regeneration Affects Fleet Efficiency

A practical guide for fleet owners and operators: how Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) regeneration works in trucks, its impact on trailer operations, fuel economy, and maintenance planning.

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Deck Height & Center of Gravity Stability in Semi Trailer Design

Deck Height & Center of Gravity Stability in Semi Trailer Design

Engineering discussion on how deck height influences trailer stability, rollover resistance, and load safety โ€” with practical design examples and field data.

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Why Cross-Member Design Determines Trailer Life

Why Cross-Member Design Determines Trailer Life

A deep technical explanation of how cross-member spacing, flange width, welding pattern and material quality affect the structural durability, torsional resistance and long-term life of semi trailers and lowbeds.

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Bottom Loading Tanker Trailers โ€“ ADR Approval (Requirements & Checklist)

Bottom Loading Tanker Trailers โ€“ ADR Approval (Requirements & Checklist)

Comprehensive guide to ADR approval for bottom loading tanker trailers: equipment list, overfill protection, vapour recovery, earthing, tests, and documentation checklist.

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Axle Spacing Effect on Load Distribution and Ride Stability in Semi Trailers

Axle Spacing Effect on Load Distribution and Ride Stability in Semi Trailers

Technical analysis of how axle spacing influences load distribution, suspension dynamics, and overall stability in multi-axle trailer configurations.

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Assali Stefen SMT Mechanical Suspension: Heavy-Duty Modular Trailer System

Assali Stefen SMT Mechanical Suspension: Heavy-Duty Modular Trailer System

A detailed review of the Assali Stefen SMT suspension by SAF-HOLLAND โ€” designed for heavy duty trailer applications with modular leaf-arm design, mass customization and extreme load capacity.

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Container Chassis Torsion & Frame Flexibility Balance

Container Chassis Torsion & Frame Flexibility Balance

An engineering perspective on the balance between torsional rigidity and frame flexibility in container chassis design โ€” how it affects fatigue, load stability, and durability.

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Which Points Must Be Taken into Consideration When Buying a Semi Trailer?

Which Points Must Be Taken into Consideration When Buying a Semi Trailer?

Essential guide for logistics companies and fleet owners: how to evaluate chassis design, suspension type, and build quality before purchasing a semi trailer.

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Customer-Oriented Overview of Mobile Workshop Systems

Customer-Oriented Overview of Mobile Workshop Systems

Comprehensive overview of customer-focused mobile workshop trucks and trailers โ€” covering integrated equipment such as generators, compressors, lighting systems, and on-site repair solutions by Alura Mobile Systems.

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Mobile Workshop Truck Body: Alura Trailer MWS 2.2 Turn-Key System

Mobile Workshop Truck Body: Alura Trailer MWS 2.2 Turn-Key System

Overview of Alura Trailerโ€™s MWS 2.2 mobile workshop truck body โ€” key components like 33 kVa diesel generator, 12 bar air-compressor, integrated lubrication & oil systems, modular build for truck chassis.

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Using Aluminium in Semi Trailer Production: Weight, Strength & Efficiency

Using Aluminium in Semi Trailer Production: Weight, Strength & Efficiency

A technical look at why aluminium has become essential in modern semi trailer design โ€” from chassis construction to floor panels โ€” improving payload, corrosion resistance, and fuel efficiency.

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Air Suspension vs Mechanical Suspension in Heavy Trailers โ€” Performance, Maintenance & Cost

Air Suspension vs Mechanical Suspension in Heavy Trailers โ€” Performance, Maintenance & Cost

Detailed comparison of air and mechanical suspension systems for semi trailers. Learn which suspension type suits your transport conditions, including load distribution, ride comfort, maintenance, and cost analysis.

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Why Air Tanks Drain & Moisture Kills Valves in Semi Trailers

Why Air Tanks Drain & Moisture Kills Valves in Semi Trailers

Understanding why air tanks must be drained regularly and how trapped moisture damages valves, brake chambers, and suspension components in semi trailers.

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Choosing the Right Tyre for Agricultural Trailers: Load, Terrain & Performance Guide

Choosing the Right Tyre for Agricultural Trailers: Load, Terrain & Performance Guide

A detailed technical guide on selecting the correct tyres for agricultural drawbar and farm trailers โ€” including flotation tyres, radial vs bias construction, load index, soil protection, rolling resistance and field-to-road performance.

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African Roads & Transportersโ€™ Responsibilities: Safety, Load Management & Fleet Ethics

African Roads & Transportersโ€™ Responsibilities: Safety, Load Management & Fleet Ethics

A technical and operational guide for transporters operating on African road networks โ€” covering terrain challenges, fleet responsibilities, cargo safety, suspension choices, driver conduct, and regulatory compliance.

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Trailer Electronic Brake Systems (EBS โ€“ ABS) Explained

Trailer Electronic Brake Systems (EBS โ€“ ABS) Explained

What is EBS and ABS on semi trailers? How they work together, safety features, system components, legal requirements and compatibility with truck ECUs.

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Kingpin Load vs Axle Load: Understanding Weight Distribution on Semi Trailers

Kingpin Load vs Axle Load: Understanding Weight Distribution on Semi Trailers

A complete engineering guide to kingpin load, axle group load, legal limits, load transfer and a practical kN โ†” tons converter for quick calculations in trailer design and transport operations.

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Drum Brakes vs Disc Brakes in Semi Trailers: Performance, Maintenance & Safety

Drum Brakes vs Disc Brakes in Semi Trailers: Performance, Maintenance & Safety

A complete technical comparison of drum and disc brake systems used in semi trailers โ€” including performance differences, stopping distance, heat management, durability, and a PSI โ†” Bar converter for tyre inflation.

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How Extendable Lowbed Trailers Work: Extending System & Working Logic

How Extendable Lowbed Trailers Work: Extending System & Working Logic

A detailed technical explanation of how extendable lowbed trailers function โ€” covering telescopic beam mechanics, locking systems, hydraulic assist options, chassis deformation management, and the full extension/closing logic used in heavy-haulage applications.

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Changing World & the Rise of Mobile Workshop Trucks

Changing World & the Rise of Mobile Workshop Trucks

How global industries are adapting to field service mobility through advanced mobile workshop trucks โ€” featuring Alura Trailer, PK Trucks, Jap Africa, and Womy Equipment Supply B.V.

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