With the latest generation of their aluminium moving-floor trailer designed for aggregate and road building applications, Titan Trailers Inc. is well positioned to become a significant player in the EU transportation industry.
Developed specifically for hauling stone and tarmac, this Titan aggregate trailer builds on the range of Titan’s EU trailer line-up. Initially launched in 2004, the highly successful THINWALL® trailers have been in service with waste hauliers and construction fleets for 10 years. The 10 m tridem THINWALL® trailer will be assembled at a production and service facility in Middlesborough, England.
A new design for efficient clean-out
The Titan aggregate trailer features a 9 Slat V-Floor® self-unloading system from KEITH® Mfg., equipped with Titan’s new clean-out plow. According to Mike Kloepfer, President of Titan Trailers, the clean-out plow was developed exclusively for use with the horizontal panel design of THINWALL® bodies. “We’ve invested several years of R&D looking into the problems of off-loading aggregate with a moving-floor system,” he explained. “This new plow allows highly efficient unloading while minimizing wear and tear on the trailer. It’s the ultimate clean-out weapon for heavy-duty hauliers.”
Level unloading for safety and productivity
Mike reports that he has already received his first order for 5 of the newly introduced aggregate units from a customer who is replacing some of their older tippers, while complementing their fleet with the newest generation of Titans to increase their capacity. “Level unloading offers a great improvement in jobsite safety for hauliers and contractors,” says Mike. “A Titan adds reliability and durability for hauling all types of gravel, stone, soil and tarmac.”
Titan also demonstrated how the moving floor concept is especially suited to paving applications. As the unloader system walks the load off the trailer, the hot mat is dispensed evenly and avoids segregation of the material without remixing.
The original THINWALL®
Titan Trailers are distinguished by their innovative THINWALL® body construction, developed in the mid-1990s. The horizontal hollow-core smoothwall panels of extruded aluminium have been widely adopted in North America for hauling a wide range of bulk commodities, from farm goods to “extreme duty” scrap metals. Being the lightest and the most robust trailer in the heavy duty marketplace, only THINWALL® trailers feature sidewalls that are assembled longitudinally and double machine-welded, inside and out, in a patented Titan process.
The new aggregate trailer introduces a redesigned top panel which integrates the trailer’s top rail. Its sloped tailgate is operated by a hydraulic lift. The V-Floor® system is hot tarmac compatible and is resistant to high temperatures. It utilizes flat-top slats for easier clean-outs as well as increased versatility to accommodate additional types of cargo. Standard models are equipped with SAF axles and suspensions.
A local focus for service
The UK production and service facility now supports a fleet numbering over 300 trailers in service and now claims its position as the UK’s preferred trailer for heavy-duty payloads. Brian Yuill, Managing Director of Yuill & Dodds Ltd., was among the first to bring Titan into a large fleet operation. “I had some reservations at first,” he said, “because the construction was radically different from any other waste trailer. But I learned quickly that it was a far better design than any other traditional type of trailer that is available in the marketplace.”
Titan has been refining its production system to maintain the integrity of its patents and quality standards while incorporating local sources for many components. By doing final assembly in Middlesborough, it keeps the trailers cost-competitive.
THINWALL® components and body fittings are produced in Canada and then packaged for shipment to the UK. The Middlesborough facility completes assembly with locally sourced running gear, tyres and components. This puts Titan in position to serve a global market, able to export its unique product anywhere while providing employment, investment and strong customer service in the local markets.
“Our corporate statement is Strength Through Innovation”, Mike notes. “I’m very proud that we are able to be innovative in our business processes as well as our product design.”
