Trucks Down Under
Jul 12, 2019 05:00:56 #
weberwest wrote:
I love these impressive road trains you have Downunder!
It is a pleasure to share them with you weberwest. Thanks for looking.
Jul 12, 2019 05:17:32 #
dogsburg wrote:
My wife and I were on our honeymoon and staying at one of the resorts in Yulara and saw a road train arrive, impressive. Considering how remote places are in the outback it is a brilliant way to bring needed supplies.
Yes dogsburg they are practical from the point of view that one prime mover and one driver can transport three or more times the volume of freight of a single trailer unit which allows freight rates to be maintained at an affordable level. It was this consideration that resulted in the evolution of the modern road train. Early attempts by regulators to limit loads to single trailers were met with serious opposition by both operators and customers.
Thanks for looking.
Jul 12, 2019 05:18:25 #
J-SPEIGHT wrote:
Enjoyed this set.
Thanks for looking J-SPEIGHT.
Jul 12, 2019 05:53:04 #
Manglesphoto wrote:
Fantastic set of images
I find the Tri-Drive tanker tractors quite interesting due to the placement of the tanks being at approx. half their length behind the last drive axle, it seems that this would make the steering quite light.
I find the Tri-Drive tanker tractors quite interesting due to the placement of the tanks being at approx. half their length behind the last drive axle, it seems that this would make the steering quite light.
Thanks for looking Manglesphoto. The placement of the turntable on the prime mover, the number of drive axles and their spacing and the number of axles and their spacing on the trailer and converter dollies are all critical with regard to permissible gross weight and axle loading. There are many variables including wheel and tyre size and type but approximate maximum axle loading is 6 tonnes for the prime mover front axle and 6 -6.6 tonnes for each axle with dual wheels or 20 tonnes per tri-axle dual wheel group.
Jul 12, 2019 06:01:30 #
LCD wrote:
My father once described the experience of passing a truck hauling a blade from a wind turbine. The front, nearest the tractor, sat on one set of wheels. Most of the span of the blade hung over nothing but road, with just the rear section resting on a rear set of wheels. He said it seemed to take forever until he saw the truck in his rear view mirror. I would imagine passing, or being passed, by one of these monsters would be about the same.
You are correct LCD I always feel a little anxious when passing any long heavy vehicle particularly a triple or quad trailer road train that is already sitting on 90 - 100 kph. You need at least one kilometer of clear road ahead to pass. As a passenger my wife also gets nervous when passing these vehicles, (I recently noticed her teeth marks on the dash).
Jul 12, 2019 06:03:28 #
jaymatt wrote:
Wow--those are some trucks!
I don’t believe more than tandem is legal in most states here in the U.S.
I don’t believe more than tandem is legal in most states here in the U.S.
Thanks for looking jaymatt.
Jul 12, 2019 06:05:05 #
bugz198585 wrote:
I watched a special on tv about the famous road trains of Australia ..., quite fascinating ...thnx for sharing the pics ..I enjoyed them ...
I am pleased you enjoyed them. Thanks for looking bugz.
Jul 12, 2019 06:16:45 #
tommystrat wrote:
OK, I can see the skill it takes to move one of these behemoths down the road - but what happens when you need to back up??? 
I have seen drivers backing a triple trailer road train for short distances when manouevering in a parking bay and I have watched drivers backing two trailers to connect with a third and was impressed with their skill but after all they are professional drivers and require several years of proven experience with one and then two trailer combinations before being licenced to drive triple of quad units.
Jul 12, 2019 06:17:37 #
Earnest Botello wrote:
Very good series, Thorny.
Thanks for dropping in Earnest.
Jul 12, 2019 06:28:57 #
Blair Shaw Jr wrote:
These are unbelievable and look really dangerous with the potential for a really bad wreck if one of them flipped over or lost several tires all at once. Wow.....they sure are interesting though.
Unfortunately accidents do occur and some have fatal consequences.
Jul 12, 2019 06:33:51 #
JCam wrote:
How big are the individual unit tankers? We had up to 10,000 US gal. when I was in the US Army Transportation Corps in the early 60's and thought they were big. I can't imagine having to wrestle those monsters around our city streets and highways!
Thanks for looking JCam. The quad road train tanker carries 40,000 litres (10,560 US gallons) in the three larger trailers and 25,000 litres (6,600 US gallons) in the smaller trailer - a total of 145,000 litres or 38,280 US gallons.
Jul 12, 2019 06:35:31 #
jpgto wrote:
WOW, although there are multi-trailer units on our roads they are nothing compared
to what you shared with us. Nice series of photos, thanks for posting.
to what you shared with us. Nice series of photos, thanks for posting.
I am pleased you like them jpgto, thanks for your comments.
Jul 12, 2019 06:43:08 #
dc3legs wrote:
Really enjoyed this Mr Thorny, thanks. Do you know: is a single driver able to assemble/dis-assemble one of these trains?. Guessing he would probably have to .........
Thanks for looking dc3legs. Yes a single driver is able to assemble / disassemble road trains. Not surprisingly assembly needs a little more skill, care and attention than disassembling but it is all part of the job.
Jul 12, 2019 06:44:30 #
oregon don wrote:
GOOD GOD, DON'T SHOW ANY MORE PHOTOS, SOME DIM BULB FROM THE US CONGRESS WILL TRY TO OK THAT HERE IN THE STATES'
Okay, message received oregon don.
Jul 12, 2019 07:13:09 #
Dalek wrote:
How fast do they drive and what sort of engine do they have? Is there more than one driver?
Depending on the route the speed limit for multiple trailer road trains is either 90 or 100 kph (55-62 mph). Engine sizes vary but most are some where between 600 to 700 hp with approximately 2,300 ft lb torque output some where between 1,200 - 1,500 RPM. Interestingly limited space for engine cooling (the radiator), is becoming a limiting factor for bigger engines although engine manufacturers are always finding ways to overcome these obstacles.
Drivers may double up on some runs with one sleeping (almost all long distance vehicles are fitted with sleeper cabs), while the other drives but mostly there will only be one driver.
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