38-TONNE ARTICS: THE GOVERNMENT SETS OUT THE TERMS

The author examines the recently published amendments to the British Construction and Use Regulations, which from May 1983, permit the use of articulated vehicles of up to 38 tonnes. The law does not apply to drawbar-trailer types and will result in any articulated truck heavier than 32.5 tonnes having to have five axles. Axle spacings are now measured from tractor last axle to trailer last axle. Close coupled tri-axle bogies will be limited to 20.7 tonnes, and a 2.7M spread will be needed to qualify for 22.5 tonnes. The tractor rear axle can now be loaded to 10.5 tonnes. Examples are given of maximum spacings for various gross train weights with two and three axle tractors. The new maximum length is 15.5M, with 7M for drawbar trailers which can be 12M if the wheelbase is at least three fifths of the overall length. Sideguards and rear underrun bumbers will be compulsory on all trucks weighing more than 3.5 tonnes gross on vehicles manufactured after September 1983. The rules governing the dimensions and construction of these are summarised. Concessions have been made for demountable bodies and fail-lift trucks. (Author/TRRL)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00203122
• Corporate Authors:

  Institute of Road Transport Engineeers

  1 Cromwell Place
  London SW1 25F,   England 
• Authors:
  • DICKSON-SIMPSON, J
• Publication Date: 1982-12

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 6
• Serial:
  • TRANSPORT ENGINEER
  • Publisher: Institute of Road Transport Engineeers
  • ISSN: 0020-3122

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Axle load force; Axles; Laws; Length; Numbers; Size; Size and weight regulations; Spacing; Specifications; Standards; Trucks; Trucks by weight; Underride guards; Underride override crashes; Weight
• Uncontrolled Terms: Articulated vehicles; Change
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• ITRD Terms: 1225: Articulated vehicle; 1322: Axle; 3067: Axle load; 9014: Dimension; 6488: Length; 6432: Number; 187: Specification (standard); 177: Specifications; 1420: Underride prevention; 8119: United Kingdom; 5485: Weight
• Subject Areas: Highways; Law; Motor Carriers; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00373315
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 30 1983 12:00AM