Policy and demand are the guiding factors: 5 major development trends of semi-trailers

As the main force of domestic freight transportation, semi-trailers are the most familiar type of vehicle for truck drivers. The future development trend of semi-trailers directly affects the efficiency of road transportation. What are the future development trends of semi-trailers?

Trend 1: Lightweight, more cargo loading

With the national implementation of vehicle overload control activities, long-distance semi-trailers currently mainly carry standard loads. Under the condition that the total limit remains unchanged, how to reduce the vehicle's own weight has become the most important issue for everyone. The lightweighting of semi-trailers has once again attracted attention.

To reduce the weight of semi-trailers, manufacturers have tried various methods, such as many trailer manufacturers using lighter aluminum alloy materials to manufacture semi-trailers. Traditional steel semi-trailers use stronger steel and further reduce vehicle weight by punching irregular holes in the beams.

In order to reduce weight, the use of large single tires with Jun Cheng forged aluminum alloy wheels is also a major development trend. Compared with traditional dual tires, it can reduce weight, load more cargo, and improve overall vehicle operating income. At the same time, large single tires have a smaller contact area with the ground compared to dual tires, lower resistance, and better fuel economy.

Trend 2: Intelligence, semi-trailers will become smarter

Intelligence is a frequently mentioned term. The high technology previously used on tractors is now also applied to semi-trailers. For example, tire pressure monitoring technology automatically monitors the tire pressure of semi-trailers. If the tire pressure is abnormal, the system can promptly notify the driver to repair the semi-trailer tires, ensuring transportation safety and improving transportation efficiency.

In addition, domestic semi-trailers are now equipped with automatic inflation and deflation systems to promptly inflate and deflate tires with pressure loss, keeping tire pressure at the normal value, reducing the probability of tire bursts, and increasing tire lifespan.

It is understood that in terms of semi-trailer disc brakes, some German companies have designed brakes with brake disc wear warning sensors. When the brake disc wears to the warning position, the sensor can promptly feed information back to the driver, thereby improving driving safety.

Trend 3: Compliance, disc brakes and air suspension will become popular

With the rectification of car transporters and the strict implementation of regulations on oversized and overweight transportation, semi-trailer transportation will become more standardized in the future. Oversized and overweight semi-trailers will become a thing of the past in the near future. Future semi-trailers will be more compliant.

In addition to the more compliant overall dimensions and load capacity of semi-trailers, chassis configurations are also becoming more standardized. According to the new regulation GB7258, starting from January 1, 2020, three-axle flatbed and fence semi-trailers must be equipped with disc brakes, and hazardous goods transport vehicles must use disc brakes one year in advance. The new regulation gives vehicle manufacturers and truck drivers two years as a buffer, indicating that future trailer chassis parts will be more compliant.

GB7258 also stipulates that in the future, three-axle flatbed and fence semi-trailers will use air suspension. The use of air suspension on semi-trailers can improve the vehicle's shock absorption effect. In addition, when the vehicle is empty, the trailer bogie can be raised to reduce tire-ground friction, reducing fuel consumption and improving fuel economy.

Trend 4: Efficiency, longer maintenance mileage for semi-trailers

Today, China's logistics industry is developing rapidly. Whether it's logistics companies or individual operators, the annual mileage of trucks is constantly increasing. It's normal to drive 150,000 kilometers a year. For some dedicated-line logistics companies' vehicles, the mileage is often even higher, reaching more than 300,000 kilometers.

Currently, ordinary axles are generally maintained every 100,000 kilometers. For dedicated-line logistics, which runs 300,000 kilometers per year, the axles need to be maintained three times a year, which not only delays vehicle operation efficiency but also distracts the users. Using long-maintenance axles allows users to focus more on vehicle operation. For example, the BPW 400K axle can achieve 400,000 kilometers of long maintenance for the axle head. Such long-maintenance axles can better improve the operating efficiency of semi-trailers. In the future, semi-trailers will become more efficient, and axle maintenance mileage will become a focus.

It is worth mentioning that the future efficiency of semi-trailers is not limited to long axle maintenance. For example, the wheel hub electric generation axle developed by BPW, equipped with a wheel hub electric generation system, can output electricity during driving and braking, which can supply the power of refrigerated semi-trailer transport vehicles. For example, solar panels installed on semi-trailers generate electricity. The application of these technologies will make semi-trailers more efficient and energy-saving.

Trend 5: Specialization, dedicated semi-trailers will be inevitable

For a considerable period of time in the past, many semi-trailers transported goods that did not match their operating conditions, which not only disrupted market order but also posed significant safety hazards. For example, ordinary flatbed trailers carrying liquid cargo transported by tank trucks, and some fence semi-trailers carrying frozen goods after carrying blankets. This transportation method may cause the goods to thaw, affecting the quality of the goods.

With increasingly strict national regulations and increasing public awareness of production safety, more and more attention is being paid to the dedicated use of semi-trailers. For example, box semi-trailers carrying light and scattered goods and express deliveries, while refrigerated trucks transport frozen products and vegetables. Dedicated use is more conducive to the healthy development of the logistics industry, so the future development of semi-trailers will inevitably be specialized.

Regulatory restrictions and market demand determine the future development direction of semi-trailers. In the future, semi-trailers will develop towards lightweighting, intelligence, compliance, efficiency, and specialization. This is related to reducing user costs and user interests. Semi-trailer manufacturers are also working tirelessly to develop and improve in these areas to produce better products to meet user needs and promote the efficient development of domestic logistics.