Tell us about the latest Longer Semi-Trailer (LST) lifting deck trailer from Don-Bur?
With transport operators facing continued pressure from rising operating costs and the need to improve efficiency, maximising the amount of freight carried on every journey remains one of the most effective ways to improve fleet productivity.
Our latest high-volume Longer Semi-Trailer (LST) lifting deck trailer demonstrates how established trailer technologies can be combined to maximise volumetric efficiency within current UK regulations.
Don-Bur pioneered hydraulic Lifting Deck technology in the late 1980s and has continued to develop the concept for more than three decades. Combined with the additional length available through the UK’s Longer Semi-Trailer regulations, operators can make greater use of the available vehicle envelope without increasing journey numbers..
Describe the additional load space available?
The 15.65m tri-axle box van combines Don-Bur’s hydraulic Lifting Deck system with Longer Semi-Trailer dimensions to provide a calculated load volume of 136.24m³ and capacity for 52 UK pallets.
Compared with an equivalent 13.6m lifting deck trailer, the vehicle offers almost 19m³ of additional load space, enabling operators to carry significantly more freight within the same vehicle movement.
As operators seek to improve productivity and control costs, increasing the amount of freight carried per trip can help reduce the number of journeys required to move the same volume of goods. For high-volume transport operations, the ability to carry almost 19m³ of additional freight within a single trailer can deliver benefits including improved vehicle utilisation, reduced driver hours, lower maintenance costs and fewer vehicle movements.
Is there a trend for operators to adopt this sort of trailer?
The trailer reflects a growing focus on volumetric efficiency across sectors where vehicle cube, rather than payload than weight, is often the limiting factor. Retail distribution, FMCG logistics, parcel operations and other high-volume transport applications continue to seek ways of moving more goods without increasing vehicle movements.
While Don-Bur can produce lifting deck LST trailers capable of accommodating up to 60 UK pallets through the use of a full-length upper deck, this particular trailer has been configured with an open loading area above the swan-neck and our EcoStream aerodynamic roof design.
This arrangement provides greater flexibility for taller freight in the front section of the trailer whilst retaining the aerodynamic advantages associated with the sloping roof profile. Previous fleet studies have demonstrated significant fuel savings from the EcoStream roof design.
The result is a trailer optimised not simply for maximum pallet count, but for the balance of capacity, load flexibility and operational efficiency required by the operator.
What about the latest investment at your site in Stoke-on-Trent?
The Commercial Vehicle Show is an important event for us because it brings together the entire industry under one roof. It’s a chance to showcase new ideas, connect with operators and manufacturers, and understand the challenges businesses are facing.
These conversations help shape future solutions and ensure we continue to deliver security products that meet real-world needs.We have completed a major £700,000 investment at our Mossfield Road manufacturing headquarters, combining roof replacement, structural modernisation and a significant expansion of the rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) installation.
This completed 579kW solar array is expected to generate around 30% of the headquarters’ annual electricity requirement on site, reducing grid electricity-related emissions by approximately 98 tonnes of CO₂e each year.
The works cover three large manufacturing and assembly bays at our main Stoke-on-Trent site, creating a stronger foundation for long-term sustainable production.
By investing in the fabric of our manufacturing headquarters and expanding our solar PV capacity, we have strengthened key operational infrastructure while reducing future reliance on imported grid electricity.
Based on indicative performance estimates, the system is expected to generate around 560MWh of renewable electricity each year.
Surplus renewable energy can also be exported back to the National Grid whenever generation exceeds on-site demand, ensuring that the system continues to make productive use of available solar energy.
Richard Owens
Group Marketing Manager, Don-Bur
