monocoque flatbed trailers

[Buckethole]

Hi all.

I've heard recently about incorporating monocoque design into flatbeds recently. One on a new plastic attempt. Still testing in UK from what I hear. One partially monocoque aluminum. And one fully monocoque aluminum.

I know that most of the van type semi trailers have been using it for quite some time, but I haven't seen too much reference to historical introduction.

I keep imagining a fully loaded (48000 lbs) monocoque flatbed trailer being struck on the underside by something like a sports car, tearing the skin and causing the collapse of the trailer.

Is that a realistic concern?

I'd imagine not because van trailers have been in accidents, and I don't recall it being that kind of issue, but...thought it still a question worth bringing up.

Thanks

 

[rmw]

I think it would be the same dilemma on a frameless tanker or belly dump if a car ran under the belly of a loaded unit, wouldn't it?

rmw

 

[Buckethole]

Thanks rmw

It seems like a good point, in connection with a frameless tanker. But I'm not sure how it would react. The weight is distributed evenly along it's length, and a sudden tear in the skin might open it up to allow the load to be lost. I'd expect the same with a bottom dump. Have you heard of any such occurences with these types of vehicles?

On a flatbed, you can have a load focused on a narrow 4 foot area that may have a different effect on the trailer.I'm imagining a 48000 lbs coil dropping on the car. If I'm not mistaken, the skin plays an important roll in the structural strength of the monocoque system, so I was wondering how realistic my concern is in the case of a flatbed.

Buckethole