Trailers capable of carrying high cubes are not as expensive as many in the industry perceive. According to Kieron Gore of Prime Trailers, while the input cost is higher, they are not unaffordable. Prime Trailers has developed a full range of high cube container carrying trailers for the transport industry – including flat decks, skeletals and interlinks. “These trailers carry highcube containers within the 4.3m height limit. With the use of super strength steels, we have designed an ultra-thin neck to lower the loaded height,” explained Gore. “Added value includes the ability to centre mount heavy 20ft containers with options up to 32 tonnes. In addition, we offer a retractable skeletal for customers who need to dock load/unload 20 foot centre mount containers.” Gore said the company’s first skeletal with point loading ability had been in service now for just over a year. “The transporter is loading 32 tons of scrap steel in 20 foot containers and moving them between Johannesburg and Durban. The equipment is doing well.” High cubes have been at the centre of controversy in South Africa for some time, following government’s lifting of a national moratorium allowing the movement of high cubes at a height of 4.6m. By law, these containers on the back of a trailer may not exceed 4.3m. Whilst a current moratorium still allows for transporters to move high cubes at 4.6m without penalty, it is commonly understood to be a temporary situation with the 4.3m legislation set to remain. Transporters have maintained the high cost of refurbishing their fleets and the cost of trailers are challenges to meeting the 4.3m height. Gore told FTW that whilst the company’s new high-cube carrying trailers did have higher input costs due to the super-strength steels used, it had managed to reduce the selling price through bulk purchasing and more efficient manufacturing. “That means customers are not paying a massive premium for these trailers,” he said. Commenting on lead times for trailers, Gore said it was currently around three to four weeks.
