This combination of different trailer capacities (16 & 20) is also more compatible to the differing individual store loads volumes that (with planning), has significantly reduced
The previous requirement to perform double drops to stores each day. Unlike a B-Double, both trailers in our pocket road train combinations are completely interchangeable from dog to lead trailer, giving South West Express even greater flexibility in service provision. Due to less moving parts, such as the required load sliding mechanism on a B-Double, the pocket road trains operate on a lower trailer tare weight. Additional to this, the pocket road trains track significantly better when cornering causing less wear and tear on suspension systems and tyres. These facts significantly enhance the longevity of the equipment and reduce their overall operational costs, producing savings that South West Express can then pass onto our customers.
Another unique benefit to this configuration is the ability to incorporate a 12 pallet sliding B-Double trailer, either at the front or in-between the two pocket road train trailers, for use on routs which cater for 36.5 meter application. This configuration is termed a C train and increases the capacity to 48 pallets. This ability provides for 3 separate trailers catering for 7 temperature zones in one truck movement. This has many advantages including the ability to cater for seasonal volume spike increases. Which minimises the use of extra prime movers requiring additional staff or sub-contractors.
In 2008, it was recognised that some pocket road train combinations in WA, posed on road stability issues due to inconsistent spacing’s between front axle of the lead trailer and rear axles of the converter dolly. Main Roads at the time gave notice that all pocket road trains needed to modify and comply with a minimum of 8 meters between triaxle lead trailer and a bogie axle converter dolly. In most cases this would have increased to overall length to greater than 27.5 meters. Subsequent to industry consultation this requirement was shelved due to the onerous consequences of potentially grounding several hundred pocket road trains servicing the South West of WA. South West Express has been proactive in developing spread axle dollies and 16 pallet bogie axle trailers which comply with the proposed dimensions increasing from the standard 1200mm spread to 2000mm. As a consequence SWE has not only noticed massive increases in stability but is also well prepared for any future Main Roads requirements which may pose a dimensional noncompliance.