Beverage/bottling trailers have evolved over the years from open-sided pantechnicons, famous for losing their load around corners, to contemporary gull-wing semi-trailers, resulting in safer load delivery. However, there is much room for improvement when it comes to producing a truly efficient, safe and productive bottling trailer, says Vernon Keyes, Transport Consultant and retired South African Breweries (SAB) fleet consultant.

These trailers also have staggered deck heights, which makes it difficult for forklift and manual operators to load safely and economically,” adds Keyes.

Better bottle mover

With these shortcomings in mind, Keyes partnered with leading trailer manufacturer, Kearney Payloader, to  design and build a beverage trailer that addressed these challenges.

“The Kearney Payloader Group was a natural choice for the fabrication of this trailer,” says Keyes. “Eddie Kearney’s Payloader trailers are famous for their durability and the organisation is always ready to adopt an innovative design and build a prototype without necessarily having a large production order tagged to it.”

Dubbed the “KUV”, or Kearney Urban Vehicle, the new beverage trailer has a lower deck than competitor models, making mechanical and manual handling of pallets and crates that much easier, safer and more productive.

“Eighty percent of the load can now be carried at the lowest possible height and this not only makes for safer mechanical loading, but reduces turn-around time and forklift fuel consumption by as much as fourteen percent,” explains Keyes. “The deck is inclined towards the centre which keeps the load safely secured to the A-frame. The deck is also equipped with longitudinal openings to allow debris to fall below it into a secured trough which helps prevent palette damage and pilfering.”

Addressing the cumbersome tarp problem faced by beverage  transporters, Keyes and Kearny have developed a unique solution that allows both left and right side handtarps to be opened by a single operator where they are ‘parked’ safely behind the rear bulkhead of the trailer.

“This design clears the load deck completely of any curtaining and significantly speeds up the whole delivery cycle, reducing truck idling time. It also prevents tarp damage caused by forklifts,” Keyes continues.

5Eddie Kearney (right) and Vernon Keyes launch the new KUV

Design features

Like any other Payloader, the KUV is built using the very best materials and components.

“The prototype is a tandem-axle semi, suitable for both 4x2 and 6x4 truck tractors. It is designed to carry as many as eighteen ISO pallets, a legal payload of eighteen tons on a 6x4 truck tractor and 16 tons on a 4x2 truck tractor,” says Carlos da Silva, chief engineer, Kearney Group.

To ensure a smooth and safe ride for glass cargo, the KUV is fitted with air suspension and ABS brakes. “The air suspension is self-leveling which is invaluable when trailers need to mount curbs to off-load in high-traffic areas,” Kearney adds. “Air suspension also ensures the trailer deck remains horizontal during loading and off-loading.”

Durability is ensured using a steel chassis and a leak-proof, lowmaintenance IBR roof. Tare mass is boosted via the fitment of aluminium rims and a polypropylene A-frame. “The paint finish comes with a sevenyear guarantee and the tarps are manufactured and customised with corporate designs on our premises. With so many productivity-boosting features, the KUV definitely sets a new benchmark for the beverage transport industry,” concludes Kearney.

It is in tough times that the public needs its creature comforts and swiftly delivered ‘bevies’ are no exception. When logistics are optimised, the customer wins. Keep it up folks!