Today we will look at how installing a camera system to one&#;s fleet can have huge benefits when it comes to knowing what actually happened in case of an accident, or help in preventing thefts of vehicle parts.
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Although not seen much in the Indian market, dash cams have been installed on many cars in certain countries. Dash cams are always-on cameras installed on the dashboard of cars that record what the driver sees. When it comes to commercial vehicles, usually two to four cameras are installed around the vehicle. Here are some of the problems that a camera system can help mitigate, including some unique to India :
Accidents : In case of an accident especially when there is damage to the cargo, the fleet owner has no other way of knowing what actually happened other than the driver&#;s account. And the driver&#;s biased opinion can be of little help at preventing such a situation from occurring again. The benefits of having cameras that record each and every second of the vehicle movement are obvious here. One can know for sure if it was the driver&#;s or the vehicles fault, in which case the truck or trailer may need maintenance.
Tyre Theft : Tyres of heavy commercial vehicles such as trailers, axles, etc can be very expensive in the range of Rs to each. And there is very little one can do to prevent tyre theft. Cameras can act as a strong deterrent since most thefts happen with the involvement of the driver. And if the driver is aware of the camera system, it will probably not be worth losing a regular job.
Other equipment Theft : Often times many fleet owners have the opportunity of renting out their trucks, trailers or hydraulic axles to other transporters. The risk here is that the vehicle may not be handled with care. Also, certain parts such as tie rods in hydraulic axle can easily be replaced with old or damaged ones. It is impossible to keep track of each and every part. But with cameras that are recording everything around the vehicle, renting out the vehicle should be much safer.
Bribery : It is not rare for drivers to claim that they are being stopped by the octroi officer or the traffic police demanding to pay up fines for one or the other reason. The fleet owner has no way of ascertaining if the driver is really being stopped, and have no option but to pay up the &#;demanded bribe&#;. A dash cam can certainly help here. Of course, the driver can arrange for someone to play out an act, but it would be that much harder to pull off if the cabin also has a camera / mic arrangement.
Bulk load theft : When loading items of bulk such as scrap metal, one of the concerns is that some of the material gets stolen along the way. Since it is not always possible to check the weight of the bulk at the time of loading and unloading, often times there is little that can be done to prevent such theft. However, any attempt to unload or take unapproved detours will be recorded by the camera.
Driver Detours : When vehicles are hired on time basis, a practice of taking detours by some drivers has been observed. They sometimes arrange for the transport of some goods by themselves, keeping their employer out of the loop and all the profit to themselves, before returning on site. Such practices can easily be avoided with the use of cameras.
Problems : Camera systems for trucks / trailers have to be weather proof. They also have to be secure, or else the first thing that might be stolen will be the cameras. Such requirements adds to the cost which is why most systems are expensive. Cameras themselves aren&#;t that expensive. If commercial vehicle manufacturers were to have an option that includes inbuilt cameras, most of these problems could easily be solved.
These systems are not popular in India yet. However it is a one time investment that has many benefits. These can be expensive too, but i&#;m sure some indigenous entrepreneur can seize the opportunity and come up with a reliable cost efficient camera system.
Nimbus Logistics is an ODC and Heavy transport specialist with more than 4 decades of experience transporting Super Heavy and Super ODC cargo. We believe in ethical logistics and transparency. These articles are one of our initiatives to bring more transparency to the much chaotic Indian Transportation Industry. Please support us by sharing our articles and like our facebook page to be the first one to read all our future articles.
Last Updated on June 11, by Matthew Sholly
Last Updated on June 11, by allprotrailersuperstore
One of the first factors to consider when investing in a towing unit is whether you need a single- or double-axle trailer. Knowing the differences between these two configurations can help determine which is ideal for your situation. Each trailer type has pros and cons for different applications, but that doesn&#;t mean one is a better choice than the other. Choosing the right unit depends on your needs for load capacity, usage, budget and maneuverability.
Here is a look at single- vs. dual-axle trailers to help clarify which may be best for your operations.
A single-axle trailer has one axle with a wheel on each end. This simple rig design attaches to the trailer with clamps or springs. Compared to dual models, single-axle trailers are smaller and have one set of wheels. Despite its smaller size, the single-axle configuration can haul a multitude of loads &#; whether you own a landscaping business or pull off-roading vehicles during the weekend.
Because of their size, single-axle trailers are easier to maneuver in tight spaces and around buildings. If you&#;re trying to park in an area with limited room or need to get around sharp corners, a single-axle trailer gives you more leeway. The unit&#;s adjustable towing angles and lower weight may make towing more manageable.
A single-axle trailer&#;s compact size also makes it more fuel-efficient. The trailer has fewer parts to maintain, which may make upkeep less expensive. Maintaining and replacing two tires and their components is more economical compared to four.
The streamlined single-axle trailer design makes this configuration a cost-effective solution for a range of industries and recreational uses. Advantages of working with a smaller unit include:
The lightweight rig helps improve steering and is especially beneficial when stopping. Hauling a trailer with one axle may allow for shorter stopping distances, creating less wear on your truck or mid-sized vehicle.
While single-axle trailers have many benefits, a few drawbacks of the units include:
Another concern for single-axle units is that they may not have brakes. A trailer&#;s braking system depends on its weight. Small rigs carrying less weight can often operate securely at higher speeds without a separate brake structure. Plus, it&#;s not always feasible to manufacture every unit with brakes. If you&#;re hauling a lightweight trailer and cargo, you can likely rely on the brakes in a modern vehicle to stop the truck and trailer safely.
Most states necessitate independent braking systems when trailers exceed a gross weight of 3,000 pounds, although some states have smaller or larger thresholds. Check your state&#;s trailer braking system regulations to ensure you&#;re both compliant and safe with a single-axle unit.
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Single-axle trailers are ideal when you have smaller loads and lightweight cargo. Though they may not be the biggest option on the lot, they can still get the job done for many people. A single-axle trailer may be good for hauling the following items:
It&#;s important to understand a single-axle trailer&#;s weight limits and avoid overloading them. If you know what type of cargo you want to haul, be sure to look for a unit that can support its weight. Placing too much load on the rig can cause problems with the hitch and affect your towing vehicle. Overloading a single axle can also increase your risk of tire blowouts and accidents.
Without exceeding the gross weight limit of the trailer, you can haul just about anything. If you opt for an enclosed trailer, your assets will be secure. If you choose an open-bed unit, make sure you properly strap down your freight.
A dual-axle trailer, also known as a tandem-axle, has two sets of wheels. The second axle is positioned directly behind the first, and both axles have a wheel on each end. With four tires holding up the unit instead of two, a dual-axle trailer can evenly disperse the weight of your cargo.
Because of its boosted support and higher load capacity, a dual-axle trailer can increase your range of applications. Dual-axle units give you more room to haul massive loads, making it the perfect solution if you&#;re looking to expand your company in the future. Investing in a dual-axle trailer gives you room to grow, no matter if you&#;re extending your fleet of equipment or towing items in bulk.
Although the larger units are often more expensive than single-axle rigs, they usually deliver a higher return on investment over time. Their increased stability also allows you to haul heavy payloads, even when driving at highway speeds.
A dual-axle trailer may be a good fit if you need to transport heavy loads or carry multiple items. A tandem-axle trailer is also ideal for traveling long distances. This could be helpful if your company needs to make interstate exchanges, or you need to travel several hundred miles to pick up heavy equipment.
Additional benefits of a dual-axle trailer include:
With a more complex design, a tandem-axle trailer tends to cost more and weigh more compared to its smaller counterpart. Relying on a bigger trailer to carry your large cargo may have a few other disadvantages, including:
Another consideration for dual-axle trailers is the level of your freight. Level towing means your products are level at all times. It makes for a safer operation, and it also increases the lifespan of your tires.
A tandem solution can carry many of the same items as a single-axle trailer, but at much heavier weights. For example, with a tandem-axle trailer, you could haul larger ATVs, a higher volume of materials or several large appliances. Typical uses specific to a dual-axle trailer include:
The heavier the item you&#;ll be hauling, the bigger the trailer you may need. Make sure to reference the equipment&#;s manual and ask the experts for a trailer&#;s load capacity before purchasing. Like single-axle trailers, you should avoid exceeding the maximum weight limit on a dual-axle rig to avoid accidents, damage to the unit and damage to your vehicle.
Both a single and tandem-axle trailer can transport a wide range of cargo within their weight limits. You can choose between open or enclosed solutions with both configurations, too. Aside from a few other similarities like required maintenance and customizability, both trailer types require special attention to braking.
Hauling a trailer of any size increases the stopping distance of your entire rig. Once you attach a trailer to your truck, SUV or another vehicle, you need more time and distance to come to a complete halt. Braking with added weight behind you also wears out your vehicle&#;s brakes faster.
Talk to a professional to figure out what kind of brakes may work best for your trailer size and driving experience.
Single- and dual-axle units have the same purpose: hauling cargo safely. However, the differences are what you want to focus on when deciding which matches your expectations. Three main differences to examine include the gross combined weight rating, the tongue weight and the hitches.
Weight is an important variable when considering trailer types. In addition to a trailer&#;s payload capacity, you should consider your setup&#;s gross combined weight rating (GCWR). This term refers to the total combined weight your setup can handle safely.
To calculate a potential GCWR, add the following values:
You can check your calculated GCWR against the number given by your vehicle manufacturer to ensure you are within a safe range. The GCWR of a single-axle trailer will be less than a heavy-duty tandem-axle. Staying within your GCWR can help make sure your towing and braking are effective and safe.
When comparing the two configurations, you&#;ll also want to consider tongue weight. Tongue weight describes how much of the load is on the hitch. Between 5% and 15% of the trailer weight should rest on the hitch. If you undershoot this weight, the joint may sway more than usual. If there&#;s too much pressure on the hitch, steering may become more difficult.
Calculating your tongue weight may look different depending on whether you have a single- or dual-axle trailer. For example, you may be able to prop a standard bathroom scale on a cinder block to measure the tongue weight on a single-axle rig. You may need to purchase a specific tongue weight scale to measure the weight on a dual-axle trailer.
Single- and dual-axle configurations require properly sized hitch balls. The size of the trailer corresponds to the size of the ball &#; so a more compact rig will need a smaller hitch, and a larger trailer will need one that matches its size. An ill-fitting hitch ball could cause your trailer to detach while driving.
The best trailer for your operation depends on how much weight you&#;re pulling, the maneuverability you need, the type of towing vehicle you have and your budget. Before you invest in a trailer, be sure to calculate the weight of what you&#;ll be pulling and check how much your truck can handle. If you think you may be hauling heavier weight in the future, it may be wise to select a larger trailer that can grow with you. If you commonly tow items within a smaller weight range, compact, single-axles are a good option.
If you&#;re unsure which trailer configuration best suits your application, you can rely on our team of experts for support. We&#;ll partner with you and learn about your situation to narrow down an optimal make, model and size of trailer from our wide selection. In addition to our new and used single- and dual-axle trailers, we also offer repairs, finance support, customization, inspection and a range of other services.
Take a look at our trailer inventory or talk to a Trailer Superstore rep for help today.
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