Reefer operators looking to slash their fuel bills with more aerodynamic trailers have so far had few options to choose from. But now, Scottish reefer manufacturer Gray & Adams has launched its Fuelsaver trailer, which it claims can cut fuel consumption by 10%.
The design uses tapered side-skirts, rounded cappings at the back of the trailer and a tapered roof with an aerofoil above the rear door. Gray & Adams ran the trials
using an empty trailer at 56mph.
The manufacturer says any additional costs for the aerodynamic package can be paid off within a year. A spokesman says: "Using today's fuel prices and based on an average annual distance of 80,000 miles, this figure of 10% can amount to a cost saving of well over £4,000 per year." Logistics firm Gist, which is trialling the Fuelsaver, is planning further tests to reveal the amounts of fuel saved by individual areas of the trailer.
The Gray & Adams spokesman adds: "We currently have significant orders going through production for six major UK operators from various sectors. Each of these customers is taking variations of the product to evaluate. "Four of the companies are existing Gray & Adams customers, but the rest are completely new."
It is the latest fuel-saving trailer to be designed for long-distance operators. Recent trials completed by MT of aerodynamic
products, Don-Bur's Teardrop trailer and Cartwright's Cheetah trailer system, showed significant savings over a regular trailer.
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