News

STD Developments is reporting huge improvements in fuel economy from Don-Bur's EcoStream step-frame double-decker, and as a result will be purchasing a pair of aerodynamic trailers over the next few days. The Congleton-based haulier, a member of Pall-Ex, conducted a two-week test on local and trunk routes behind an Iveco EuroTech. It achieved an average of 9mpg compared with 7.5mpg with conventional double-deckers doing the same work, representing a 16.7% improvement.

Director Craig Stevens  tells MT that the EcoStream also proved popular with the driver. "It was very stable, followed the tractor well and was easier to manoeuvre than the other six trailers we currently operate," he says. Stevens adds that he was expecting the fuel economy benefits to be outweighed by the loss of potential load volume, but that this didn't happen. "It might be an issue for companies moving identical nine-foot pallets, but ours are a mix of heights. We found we could still carry six-foot pallets in the droop nose. By putting some thought into loading the trailer there was no compromise of load space at all."

Although Stevens is impressed with the Don-Bur trailer, he says he is yet to decide which manufacturer to buy his new aerodynamic double-deckers from. "From what I can tell they all pretty much do the same job. We would like to do a deal with Don-Bur as it is local, but so too are Boalloy," he says.