Refrigerated trailer has double decks

March 1, 2003
The Multi-Talent is the prototype of a refrigerated distribution trailer equipped with a hydraulic second deck. It has the usual three wide-base tires

The Multi-Talent is the prototype of a refrigerated distribution trailer equipped with a hydraulic second deck. It has the usual three wide-base tires on each side, but no axles. This allows a floor height of only 260 mm (10") above the road during loading operations. The floor height is 350 mm (14") above the road in the traveling position.

The second deck can be lowered hydraulically to the tops of the long wheelboxes, in which case it would have a capacity of 32 pallets. When raised for loading on both decks, the capacity is 52 pallets. The elevating tailgate serves both decks, and also encloses the rear below the swinging doors.

Inside height of the double decker is 3740 mm (147"). Overall height is four meters (13' 1½"). The sidewalls are 45 mm (1.77") thick Ferroplast panels of steel skins enclosing a hard-core urethane insulation. Weight of the 45-ft trailer is 12,500 kg (27,500 lb) including the nose-mounted Carrier refrigeration unit.

Manufacturer of the Multi-Talent is Westfalia Loading Systems GmbH & Co KG, Muhlensenner Strasse 2, D-33161 Hovelhof, Germany. The company is primarily involved in providing logistics solutions including storage, handling, loading, and vehicle parking systems. It has branches in Europe and in York PA.