DHL and DON-BUR launch new curtain-sider Teardrop trailer

DHL Exel Supply Chain and DON-BUR, experts in vehicle design, have announced the launch of an innovative new design for the Teardrop trailer.

The new curtain-sided design combines the aerodynamic advantages of the trailer with an increased transport capacity.

Following the successful integration of box van Teardrop trailers into their fleet in 2007, DHL now has more than 200 trailers with the original design in use and has been operating a 12-month familiarisation program with its key supply chain customers. To date, fuel saving figures have averaged over 12 percent in comparison to existing trailers.

Since the beginning of the year, DHL has been working with DON-BUR to develop a side-access, curtain-sided version of the teardrop shaped trailer for general network operation. In October, the first prototype Teardrop curtain-sider was introduced into the DHL fleet, and has already achieved 9 percent fuel savings and 10 percent additional load capacity, compared to a conventional trailer of similar size at 38 tonne gross weight.

Taking into account the variations in loading weight, delivery mode and driving techniques, the new design has achieved the same average performance as the existing one.

David Potter, UK Director of Fleet Engineering Services, DHL Exel Supply Chain said: "Saving fuel and reducing carbon emissions are two key priorities that are achievable by careful consideration of tractor and articulated trailer design. DON-BUR Teardrop trailers are now well established within parts of our dedicated fleet and have proven themselves capable of generating significant savings in fuel and its associated cost and CO2 emissions. The development of curtain-sider Teardrop trailers was an obvious and natural step to increase their usability for a greater range of operation types and make this new design available to wider range of customers."

Due to the nature of the general network operation, changes had to be made to the side apertures to provide increased clearance for higher stillages.

David Burton, Chief Executive of Sales & Strategy at DON-BUR added: "Maintaining the same aerodynamic benefits as the existing Teardrop trailers was critical and the requirement to introduce taller side apertures presented some difficult challenges that have now been overcome. We are delighted with the results to date and also the successful way we have worked with DHL to develop the design."

Testing and developing new technologies such as the Teardrop Trailer is one of the key elements of DHL's climate protection strategy. Together with its parent company, Deutsche Post world Net, DHL Exel Supply Chain has embarked on a GoGreen program which aims to improve its own carbon efficiency, as well as its subcontractors, by 30 percent by the year 2020.