Domett celebrates its 2000th trailer build
Tauranga-based trailer manufacturer Domett has built its 2000th trailer, which has entered service in the fleet of recent client Hilton Haulage.
The unit is a dry 9-axle curtainside combo, which required a bit of creative thinking with regards to the fact that it’s being towed by a Mercedes-Benz Arocs featuring straight walkthrough floors, bunks, and many other modern features.
The Domett 5-axle curtainside trailer itself is a lightweight spec with a tare of 6840kg. It’s sprung by Hendrickson ZMD air bag suspension, and has disc brakes and Alcoa Dura-Bright rims. Other features include two 1200 alloy toolboxes and an alloy dunnage box, ratchets at both ends, curtain track lights, sliding roof supports, and ferry tie-down locations. It is mezzaninefloor-ready.
The South Island-based transport operator runs more than 200 truck and trailer combinations out of its Timaru head office and a number of regional offices and depots across New Zealand. The company is now onto its second batch of curtainside builds, which will bring it up to six Domett truck and trailer combinations.
Hilton Haulage fleet general manager Steve Scott says the company focuses on quality gear, consistency and safety across its fleet.
“We set high expectations of both ourselves and our selected truck body and trailer manufacturers. After working with a variety of different manufacturers over the past 25 years, Domett approached us at a time when we were undertaking a review of our current fleet requirements and supplier networks,” he explains.
A series of discussions and visits resulted in an opportunity for Domett to pitch for curtainside truck and trailer builds to transport a variety of general freight. “The decision to go with them was based on the fact they met the brief in terms of timeline, build spec and price,” says Scott.
“During the course of our first set of builds, it became evident to us that Domett has very high standards and really understands the benefit of providing regular communication and updates, including photos during the build progress. Upon visiting the factory, I was highly impressed at the level of care taken with the cab, chassis and wheels to protect it against any chance of damage during the build or overspray during finishing.”
Scott says that given the weight of this cab and chassis and the requirement to operate at the high limits of HPMV, the truck body and trailer needed to meet some very specific tare targets.
“I’m not sure Domett would want me to share their trade secrets on how they achieved this, however the end result is their layout plan and quote ticked all the boxes for us in terms of tare range, performance, delivery timeframes and price.”