Not many Americans were seen at the world's biggest truck show, the IAA in Hanover, Germany. One of the reasons for the few USA visitors was that the show started the day after the first anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attack on New York City and Washington DC.
One exception was Michael Flynn of Fayetteville NY, a representative of Mitch Liddell Trailers of Springville AL, representing Nicolas trailers in the USA and Canada. He is checking out the new aerodynamic shrouding for the gooseneck of the Nicolas Industrie heavy transporter.
Reason for the new generation of modular bodywork is that Europeans are quite image conscious. They may not want to load their new, modern-styled construction equipment onto a trailer that hasn't changed in 30 years, especially if pulled by a tractor with an updated design. Thus, Nicolas Industrie, a 150-year-old company, expresses its modern outlook.
Besides the aerodynamic panels covering the hydraulic controls, this modular, extendable, expandable, multi-line heavy hauler has hydraulic steering up to 60°, hydraulic suspension, hydraulic disc brakes on 19.5" wheels. The platform has an 875 mm (34.5") loading height and 1090 mm (43") travel height. The suspension stroke is 680 mm (27"), which is 465 mm (18.3") up and 215 mm (8.5") down. Nicolas Industrie SA, RN 6, BP 3, F-89290 Champs Sur Yonne, France