Does a rigid low loader exist?

[Hairbrakes]

I was having a debate with a friend of mine earlier, and it got me thinking. In the steam engine hobby, people use artic low-loaders to move the engines around when they only weigh around 10 to 12 tons each (and are about the size of a large van). The limiting factor is not weight, but top heaviness - to put a traction engine on a flatbed rigid would apparently have the truck taking a lie-down at the first corner you got to, providing you hadnt decapitated the chimney on a bridge in the meantime....

It got me thinking, why is there no such thing as a low-height 12 or 18 tonner rigid? It could easily be achieved either with several smaller wheels at the back to replace the few big ones (like those enormous double-deck Argos/Homebase trailers), or by splaying the wheels either side of the load deck like an eezi-on low loader. Surely there must be some sort of commercial market for a truck capable of taking plant that is light enough but either too tall or too top heavy to go on a normal rigid, and which therefore costs more to move as it requires a full artic to be hired instead?

[Hairbrakes]

Thanks guys, I was just wondering if there was such a thing out there (not looking to commission my own special truck!!)

Boycee, what kind of body would you call that? Would it have a special name?

[ChemicalChaos]

ff5317 said:

How about this Terberg.

Interesting looking device! Exactly the sort of thing I was on about, like the Swedish one but without the weird extra bit aft of the axles.... shame that a little research suggests it was a one off!






I think they should build some more of them for plant movers....


Oh btw, how much does an 18 tonner weigh when empty then, if it would gross over 18t when loaded with 12t?

Edited by ChemicalChaos on Tuesday 25th February 11:45