Key factors when buying commercial vehicles and trailers: Comfort and Control
Anyone who works professionally with commercial vehicles or trailers knows the situation: You need to expand your fleet, for example, you are planning to purchase a trailer. This always raises a number of questions: "What follow-up costs can I expect?" or "Which additional equipment is really worthwhile?" Numerous factors therefore play a role in the final investment decision.
Alongside what is probably the most important knockout criterion, costs, you should also consider other points when buying a commercial vehicle or trailer that are of the highest priority for personal safety. Especially when it comes to trailer accessories, there are products that optimise the driving comfort and efficiency of every trip and help minimise hazardous situations. To help you keep track of the various options, we present the top three vehicle accessory products for commercial vehicles and trailers, which fulfil the key criteria of Comfort and Control.
5 metres shorter braking distance thanks to the AAA Premium Brake
Trailer safely stopped!
Utility trailers with a permissible gross weight of more than 750 kilograms feature what is known as an overrun brake. With this technology, the trailer is pushed onto the braking car at first, which activates the braking system. The deceleration of the towing vehicle is transferred via a linkage to the drum brakes of the trailer.
To ensure optimum braking performance at all times, both the brake linkage and the drum brake itself must be adjusted regularly. If this is not done, the braking distance of the combination can increase. AL-KO VT has significantly improved the braking technology with its patented AAA (AL-KO Automatic Adjustment) Premium Brake solution. As soon as there is excessive play in the brake shoes, the brake automatically makes the necessary adjustment. This protects the brake shoes, provides optimum braking performance throughout the entire service life of the wheel brake, and reduces the braking distance at a speed of 80 km/h by up to five metres. At the same time, driving comfort is enhanced: the jerky behaviour of the overrun device is a thing of the past.
By the way
When reversing, the adjustment device is not activated by the reverse mechanism. A manual correction is still possible via the adjustment wheel, despite automatic brake adjustment. The shape of the previous adjustment nut has been adapted, but the function remains the same. More valuable tips on braking are available here.
When is it time for a retrofit? At the latest, when the brake shoes are worn, the trailer should be retrofitted with the modern AAA Premium Brake. Retrofitting is possible for AL-KO VT axles manufactured from 1999 onwards. By the way, new brake shoes are included in the retrofit kit. Therefore, this is a worthwhile investment in an upgrade to the latest braking technology.
The AKS stabiliser coupling
Well and safely coupled
The anti-snake couplings from AL-KO VT provide a solution here: Emerging snaking and pitching movements are effectively suppressed by the stabiliser couplings. The new generation of couplings from AL-KO VT for braked trailers up to 2,700 kilograms combines top ergonomics and functionality with innovations for enhanced safety.
The newly developed couplings AK 161 and AK 270 are the safest couplings in their class. The patented false-lock protection makes incorrect hitching virtually impossible. Only when the coupling head of the trailer is correctly positioned on the towing bracket of the car is the internal locking lever operated. Only now does the handle take a horizontal position and indicates that a safe connection has been established. The coupling can now be securely locked. In the closed position, the towball of the towing bracket also reveals the green safety indicator.
A clear signal to the operator: Towing vehicle and trailer are correctly and safely connected, and the journey can begin.
AL-KO VT lightweight chassis
Transport journeys like riding on air
Driving safety and comfort in every situation? This innovative concept for increased safety, better driving dynamics and noticeably higher driving comfort is made possible by the AL-KO VT lightweight chassis. Thanks to innovative lightweight technology, commercial vehicles can achieve decisive weight savings without compromising the excellent stability of the frame construction. This results in an optimum combination of driving safety, comfort and efficiency: Enjoy the fact that any weight you save means that you can carry more payload!
The benefits of the commercial vehicle chassis include extremely high flexibility in dimensions and frame heights, hot-dip galvanisation of the lightweight frames, as well as excellent driving performance.
Transporter base vehicles with AL-KO VT chassis provide new opportunities
Operators benefit from increased efficiency and lower running costs. Individual requirements regarding vehicle dimensions are implemented as best as possible. The combination of transporter cab and AL-KO VT chassis is ideal for anyone who requires a high payload but also values driving comfort and safety. The low-floor chassis, which can be lowered, allows for easy entry and a level loading area without intrusive wheel arches. This enables ergonomic and efficient loading and noticeably increases the loading volume – and this with a permissible gross weight of 3.5 or 4.6 tonnes. This concept enables numerous industry solutions – for example for bakers, caterers, gardeners and landscapers, delivery services, car transporters, municipal utilities and local authorities. Cost control is the key word here.
Even smaller fleet operators can significantly reduce costs by using optimised vehicles. Important levers here include fleet downsizing, increased operational efficiency and reduced fuel consumption. This also leads to a reduction in CO2 emissions, which is becoming increasingly important for environmentally conscious and sustainably minded companies.
The KO criteria Comfort and Control are met when buying commercial vehicles and trailers with these products, and the maths add up: Optimised comfort + optimised control = optimised efficiency.
