The Cartwright Group showed a number of one-off prototype trailers built for specific customers to evaluate. Dominating the stand was a straight-frame double-decker built for Royal Mail, part of a total order of 140 trailers. The rest are traditional step-frame models which can carry 75 York cages. The double-decker boosts that capacity to 90.
As a result of the increased payload, Cartwright has reduced the trailer's weight. Body and roof are made of honeycomb polypropylene from plastics
firm Omina and floors are made of aluminium. The prototype trailer is two tonnes lighter than a conventional step-frame double-decker, and weighs in at 11.6 tonnes.
There was also a prototype double-deck trailer for retailer Asda. The firm already operates Cartwright double-deckers on its distribution operation for its George clothing range but is looking to introduce them elsewhere in its network, notably in its chilled operation. The Asda trailer on display can take up to 40 pallets of product.
MD Steven Cartwright adds: "This is a good example of an existing customer trying something different. As a manufacturer you've got to be prepared to do these ones and twos and hope that they turn into orders for tens or twenties."
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