KZN gives green light to giant trucks

Giant 27-metre long truck-trailer combinations hauling 67 tons of wood have been licensed for use on public roads by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport. Claimed to be the first licensed performance based standard (PBS) vehicles in Africa, the Mercedes-Benz Actros 3350/45 powered rigs are being used by Timber Logistics Services to transport timber from Bulwer and Richards Bay to Sappi’s Saiccor plant. The truck-trailer combinations are only allowed to run on a set route at a maximum of 80km/h. At 27 metres, they are five metres longer than standard rigs, and have a gross combination weight of 67 tons compared to the normal maximum of 56 tons.