Advantia’s Success in Achieving Super-Flexible PBS Design Approvals for Bespoke Truck & Dogs

At Advantia, we pride ourselves on delivering tailored solutions that meet the unique needs of our clients in the heavy vehicle industry. Recently, we secured PBS Design Approvals for bespoke truck and 5-axle dog combination designs, highlighting our capability to handle complex and uncommon vehicle types with care and precision.

Vehicle Configurations

The vehicle combination of interest includes:

1. A 20-metre tandem drive truck and 5-axle dog trailer for PBS Level 1/2 operation.
2. A 26-metre tri-drive truck and 5-axle dog trailer for PBS Level 2 operation.

These configurations required special treatment, with the 20-metre combination extending our existing blueprint and the 26-metre combination necessitating a new flexible blueprint.

Overcoming Challenges

We faced and overcome several challenges to ensure the best outcomes:

• Payload Heights: We maintained optimal payload heights without compromise, tailored to each combination’s as-built specifications by allowing the Design Approval to incorporate a Payload Height Nomination process for each as-built combination certified.
• Axle Loads: The axle loads were optimised for the best usage of the combination.
• Front Overhang for 20-metre 5-axle dog Vehicle: The allowable front overhang was optimised to meet all PBS Level 1 requirements while maintaining dimensional flexibility as per the client’s needs.
• Optional Liftable Axles: We considered optional liftable axles for the frontmost and rearmost axles of the dog trailer, as well as the front drive axle on the tri-drive truck version.
• Front Overhang for 26-metre Vehicle: The front overhang was optimised to meet PBS Level 2 requirements without compromising dimensional flexibility.

The 20-Metre 5-axle dog Design Approval

The new Design Approval (DA) for the 20-metre 5-axle dog combination includes:

• Optimised Axle Loads: Ensuring the best usage of the combination for maximum efficiency and performance.
• Front Overhang Flexibility: The allowable front overhang is optimised to meet all PBS Level 1 requirements while maintaining dimensional flexibility as per the client’s needs.
• Liftable Axle Options: Consideration for optional liftable axles for the frontmost and rearmost axles of the dog trailer.
• Enhanced Payload Heights: Payload heights are maintained optimally without compromise, tailored to the as-built specifications of each combination by utilising the Payload Height Nomination.

Additional features of the 20-metre 5-axle dog Design Approval:

• Truck Wheelbase: Ranges from 3500-5600mm.
• Drawbar Length: Ranges from 3000-6000mm.
• Dog Trailer Wheelbase: Ranges from 5000-7000mm.

Figure 1 shows the layout of the 20-metre combination, and Figure 2 shows an example of such a combination in real life.

Figure 1 – 20-metre combination layout for PBS Level 1/2 operation (tandem-drive)

Figure 2 – Tandem-drive truck and 5-axle dog (courtesy of Tefco Trailers – https://tefco.com.au/tefco-trailer-range/rigid-and-dog-trailers/)

The 26-Metre Design Approval

The new Design Approval (DA) for the 26-metre combination includes:

• Extra-wide Truck Width: Consideration of a truck width of 2550mm, alongside the standard 2500mm.
• Front Profile Flexibility: Maximum flexibility to ensure PBS Level 2 compliance while dimensional flexibility is not disadvantaged.
• Gross Combination Mass (GCM): A GCM of 68.5 tonnes, ideal for Level 2 operations.
• Enhanced Productivity: Allows operators to transport substantial amounts of bulk material efficiently.
• Axle Placement Flexibility: Placement flexibility for liftable and lazy axles along the combination.
• Range of Configurations: Wide range of wheelbases and drawbar lengths, benefiting operators with varied needs.

Additional features of the 26-metre vehicle Design Approval:

• Truck Wheelbase: Ranges from 4700-6500mm.
• Drawbar Length: Ranges from 3000-7000mm.
• Dog Trailer Wheelbase: Ranges from 5000-8500mm.

Figure 3 shows the layout of the 26-metre combination, and Figure 4 shows an example of such a combination in real life.

Figure 3 – 26-metre combination layout for PBS Level 2 operation (tri-drive)

Figure 4 – Tri-drive truck and 5-axle dog  (Courtesy of Tefco Trailers – https://tefco.com.au/tefco-trailer-range/rigid-and-dog-trailers/)

Additional Flexibility Options

One of the key strengths of our blueprints is the consideration of a very wide range of suspension options, ensuring that the vehicles can be tailored to specific operational needs. Additionally, the engines and transmissions were treated with extreme flexibility in mind, accommodating various performance requirements and preferences of different manufacturers. As such, the as-built combinations which are certified against these blueprints are unlikely to encounter any anomalies with respect to the DA, and are only required to have their allowable optimal payload heights nominated by Advantia before the Vehicle Approval stage.

Demonstrating Our Expertise

This project highlights our proficiency in understanding client needs and delivering optimal PBS design approvals. Our team’s knowledge, experience, and advanced tools enable us to tackle complex scenarios effectively.

As PBS focuses on vehicle performance and safety, Advantia is committed to helping clients navigate the PBS framework, providing expert consultation and tailored solutions to maximise usability of either the existing equipment or optimise the new designs to benefit the trailer manufacturers, operators, and the public.

For more information about our services and how we can assist with your transport consultation needs, especially in the PBS area, please contact Advantia.