German trailer giant Schmitz Cargobull has delivered 27 tri-axle reefer trailers to Scottish company T.O.M. Vehicle Rental, with a further four to be delivered to the Airdrie-based firm in the next few weeks.
The ‘S.KO Cool’ trailers, which are expected to be in service with the company for the next seven years, are to be leased to businesses ranging in size from SMEs to large corporations.
The new reefers are the first new Schmitz Cargobull trailers that T.O.M. has ever purchased, and will join a fleet of more than 5,000 vehicular assets ranging from cars and vans to trailers and trucks. The firm has taken advantage of funding options through Schmitz Cargobull Finance to facilitate the transaction and get the trailers on the road as soon as possible.
The reefers, equipped with Schmitz Cargobull’s ‘Rotos’ running gear, can boast Thermo King dual-temperature refrigeration units, side doors and tail-lifts for added flexibility.
According to Robert Stewart, T.O.M. Group Commercial Director, Schmitz Cargobull reefers stand out for their unique semi chassis design, which means they sit approximately 100mm lower than many competitor trailers, whilst maintaining the same internal working height dimensions.
Reportedly, this reduction in overall height reduces the frontal area of the trailer by approximately 2.4 per cent, reducing aerodynamic drag force by the same amount. Tests show that this can result in fuel savings of around 1.2 per cent.
The purchase supports the vehicle rental firm’s ambitious plans to expand its trailer business, which currently stands at more than 500 units following its acquisition of Radmode’s fleet in November 2013.