UK trailer manufacturer SDC has added two step-frame double-deck trailers and its straight-frame Fastliner trailer to the list of EN12642XL certificated units, following the successful completion of testing by German certification agency TÜV-NORD.
The comprehensive structural assessment was carried out at Alconbury Airfield in August.
To achieve the certification, each trailer had to be fully laden with a load that became unstable at 0.2 g to ensure the load moved into the bodywork during the tests. The trailers then underwent a series of assessments including 180-degree turns, ‘S’ curves and deceleration testing.
The first certificated double-deck trailer was built to SDC’s standard construction with aluminium roof, sloping front and fixed second deck. The second step-frame had a steel roof with wrap-around rear curtain design, sloping front and fixed second deck. Both of the double-deck curtainsider designs were certified by TÜV-NORD to 4.95 m overall height and to a payload of 29,000 kg.
The SDC Fastliner comprises a straight-frame curtainsider fitted with a sliding concertina aluminium plank system attached to the curtain. It was tested to a 29,000 kg payload – 2000 kg more than the standard continental trailer certification of 27,000 kg.
“We have always strived to produce the highest quality trailer on the market, so I had no doubt we would pass the tests,” said SDC MD, Mark Cuskeran.
