Vawdrey ups its A-game

In an industry first, Maxwell Freightlines has rolled out two A-double curtain-siders that will operate interstate out of Victoria. Designed and built by Vawdrey Australia, this latest achievement adds another compelling chapter to the trailer builder’s high productivity tale.

At the Victorian Transport Association’s Freight Outlook conference in Melbourne last November, Vawdrey publicly endorsed VicRoads’ improvements to the State’s growing A-double network. That day, it had grown to include Performance-Based Standard (PBS) approved roads for 30m A-doubles operating at weights between 68.5 and 85.5 tonnes.

Having introduced Victoria’s first PBS Super B-double skels in 2013, and PBS A-double skels in 2014, it was no surprise that Vawdrey hailed the road authority’s advancements as a ‘new point in regulations catching up to industry’. “As infrastructure is upgraded to handle high productivity PBS-approved combinations and access becomes simpler, we anticipate another jump in uptake across the state,” said National Sales Manager, Justin Simmonds, as part of Vawdrey’s Freight Outlook presentation.

Maxwell Freightlines, which has been involved with PBS since 2008 (see breakout box), has been quick in embracing the new, expanded network. In December, the Laverton North-based freight specialist received the first two Vawdrey ‘Titeliner’ A-double combinations, with more due for delivery in early 2017.

The new PBS trailers will be the first A-double curtain-siders to run linehaul interstate from Victoria, providing Maxwell Freightlines and its customers with a major efficiency boost. “With interchangeable combinations, including straight and drop deck designs, we have the option of loading up pallets in a straight deck format on one trailer or if required, set up the mezzanine decks to maximise cubic space in both trailers,” says Tony Tomarchio, General Manager at Maxwell Freightlines.

According to Maxwell Freightlines, by carrying more pallets per run, the combination reduces the amount of trips for its drivers. Each A-double operates at a maximum load weight of 85.5 tonnes Gross Combination Mass (GCM). “Compared to our 26m B-doubles – which carry a total of 34 pallets and run at 68.5 tonnes GCM – these new A-doubles hold 20 floor spaces in each trailer, but depending on the weight and dimensions of the freight, a total of 80 pallets is possible online diflucan across the entire combination,” Tony says, noting that each A-double measures 30m overall length.

The A-doubles feature two tri-axle A and B trailers, as well as a bogie-axle dolly, towed by a Volvo FH700 and a Kenworth K200, respectively, and all within PBS requirements specified by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR).

According to Vawdrey, the design and manufacture of the A-doubles pales in comparison to the pre-production efforts by the Maxwell Freightlines team. “We’ve been involved with PBS on an OEM level since day one,” says Paul Vawdrey, Sales Director. “But in this case, Maxwell Freightlines was the real driver of the A-double Titeliner concept. Managing Director, Richard Maxwell, originally floated the idea to us two years ago. We’re delighted to bring that idea to life, helping us to achieve another PBS milestone the industry can benefit from.”

While Vawdrey took care of production, it was Maxwell Freightlines which worked tirelessly behind the scenes to gain PBS approval to run the A-doubles across interstate lines – a task that took two years to complete, says Tony. “It was a complex PBS approval process given the involvement of the NHVR, VicRoads, Roads and Maritime Services in New South Wales and Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads, along with numerous local councils across each state. This meant getting numerous bridge assessments and road access grants, with hours of research and development going into the design.

“Given the improvements to the A-double network, particularly in Victoria, this sets us up well for the New Year and we can’t wait to add more A-doubles to our fleet.”

With more fleets like Maxwell Freightlines migrating over to PBS – combined with Vawdrey’s devotion to expanding its high productivity portfolio – it could be some time before the trailer builder’s book arrives at its epilogue, as Justin pointed out at the Freight Outlook. “More carriers are taking advantage of the network as it opens up. People are embracing change, it just takes time.”