Tipper trailer manufacturer Hamelex White Won “Trailer of Show” at the Brisbane Truck Show for its new VersaBOLT range of trailers boasting a modular construction that the company says will shorten lead times and dramatically reduce downtime.
Show judges took into account various categories such as its innovation, safety and appearance.
Craig Wallace, general manager of tippers at Hamelex White’s parent company, MaxiTRANS, said that the development came as a result of extensive customer consultation.
“Feedback suggested that many tipper operators would greatly appreciate a trailer that can be delivered sooner upon winning a contract and that has greater ease of servicing,” he said. “VersaBOLT is Hamelex White’s solution to that feedback.
“The VersaBOLT name is derived from the words ‘versatile’ and ‘bolted.’ At the heart of the concept is a modular design, which will enable us to quickly and effectively manufacture a variety of trailers for a broad range of applications.”
He said VersaBOLT allows Hamelex White to build any trailer configuration, for any application and from any one of MaxiTRANS’ manufacturing and service facilities, expediting lead times.
“What it means is that if we are approached by a customer in Queensland looking for a low tare dog tipper for quarry applications, we can select aluminum floor and wall modules, install them in our Queensland facility and have a tipper on the road within a matter of weeks.
“Conversely, if we are approached by a customer in South Australia looking for a grain semi-tipper, we can use our low tare steel modules, install them in SA and deliver that equally as quickly.
“Effective immediately, dog trailers and rigid bodies are available in steel or Hardox. In the very near future, semi-tippers and aluminum construction will be available as well.”
A major additional benefit of the VersaBOLT design is ease of repair, with bolted floor, wall, tub base, front wall, rear frame and the mudguard sections. The bolted construction ensures each of these can be removed and replaced if worn or damaged, minimizing downtime.
Furthermore, hinges on the VersaBOLT have been cleverly hidden below the top rail for simple tarp movement, while the trailer comes with a clever two-way tailgate which can be easily switched between side or top-hinged.
“By engineering hinges beneath the top rail, the tarp can move smoothly all the way to the back of the trailer without obstruction,” says Craig. “While the two-way tailgate enhances the VersaBOLT’s versatility and possesses an added safety benefit in that it can be operated from a secure position beside the trailer.”
The VersaBOLT model Hamelex White chose to display in Brisbane was a PBS pre-approved 4 Axle Dog, built for heavy duty rock transport and featuring Hardox steel construction.