Faqs > Product Knowledge

Air bag suspension is the standard choice for UK trailers. Learn about its advantages: smoother ride, adjustable loading height and potential for increased GVW.

Ensure your HGV trailer complies with spray suppression regulations. Learn about the advantages and applications of thermoplastic mudguards for HGV trailers.

Learn about floor point load ratings for commercial vehicles. Understand practical considerations, material strength, load distribution, and safety factors.

In Europe, vehicles are classified according to UN ECE Standards

Discover the raise/lower valve on HGV trailers - your key to adaptable heights, stable transportation, and efficient loading. Uncover the secrets now!

Flap and valance is a type of spray suppression system used typically in lieu of mudlflaps.

A skeletal chassis design typically used for carrying shipping containers.

The capacity and pallet footprint of any trailer depends on many factors. On this page, we highlight the different trailer types and the expected capacity.

Explore the different types of HGV trailer couplings including UK suzies, ISO, Duomatic and Palm systems. Know what each does and where they’re used.

The term "barn doors" is a widely used colloquial expression for rear doors that have the locking bar mechanism on the outside of the door.

In the context of cargo securement, the terms "nappy" and "kite" refer to types of transverse load restraint systems, also known as cross straps or tie-downs.

A bogie, also known as a wheelset, is a modular subassembly of wheels and axles used to support and guide a vehicle along a track or surface.

A pelmet is a rubberised flap that forms a weather seal between the roof rail and curtain on curtainsider bodies.

An underrun, also known as a rear underride guard or bumper, is a structural reinforcement mounted at the rear of a trailer or rigid body vehicle.

The term "Moffett" is a widely used type of truck-mounted forklift, also known as a vehicle-mounted forklift (VMF) or lorry loader.

MHE stands for materials handling equipment. It is a broad term for a wide range of equipment used to move, store, and control materials and products.

What is a PPT: Powered Pallet Truck?A powered pallet truck (PPT), also known as an electric pallet truck or walkie stacker, is a material handling equipment

In the HGV industry, the term "traction" informally refers to a tractor unit pulling an articulated trailer. It's a common expression in transport & logistics.

A rigid HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) is a large, non-articulated truck where the cargo-carrying body is permanently attached to the chassis.

A tug, or shunter, is a powerful vehicle that is used to move railroad cars and other large vehicles around a railyard or industrial facility.

Don-Bur provides a free online tool that allows you to approximate the load on the axle set (bogie) with varying load types and weights.

The swan-neck (or goose-neck) is a section of a trailer chassis where the height drops from a first level (to suit the fifth wheel height) to a second, lower level. These types of chassis are known as Step-Frames.

The bed plate (or rubbing plate) is a heavy duty horizontal plate on the underside of the front of the trailer which is designed to sit and slide on top of the tractor fifth wheel. It houses the kingpin.

The side raves of a trailer are the outer side edges of the main trailer chassis.

FLT is an acronym for "Fork Lift Truck".

Landing Legs are a pair of heavy duty support legs, located behind the bed plate, which support the weight of the front of the trailer when the trailer is uncoupled.

A Kingpin is a heavy duty attachment pin that extends below the trailer bed plate. During coupling, this locks into the tractor unit fifth wheel.

"Suzies" refer to the coiled lines between the tractor unit and trailer. This Unipart copyright term originates back to the "Suzie" Slinky toys and is in common use in the industry.

Tyre size, load index and speed rating are defined by a number of variables which are displayed on the tyre label. We explain what these mean.

TIR cables are specialized components used in international road transport to secure cargo in sealed compartments. They help ensure tamper-proof transport across borders under the TIR system, streamlining customs processes.

Split coupling is the frowned-upon practice of reversing the tractor fifth wheel under the trailer bed plate just enough to support the trailer but not enough to couple positively with the trailer kingpin.

Understand double deck trailer height limits – from UK builds up to 4.95m to low-height 4.0m designs with reduced decks for forklift side loading.

Trailers have 3 cycles: 10-12 years primary life, maintenance costs rise post that. Anticipated breakdown or repurposing after 20-22 years.

A fifth wheel is the horizontal coupling plate on a tractor unit which slides underneath the trailer bed plate during coupling. It has jaws which clamp onto the kingpin.

Trailer ECU (Electronic Control Unit) powers via ISO 7638 from the tractor unit, managing braking and suspension.

Tail-lift types: Tuckaway folds under chassis. Column has standard and two-tier options. Retractable slides from rear, needs space. Cantilever is a large platform stowing as rear closure, rotating for use. Explore more in our Feature Library.

EN 12195: European standard for commercial vehicle load restraint | Calculate strap strength and set testing standards for secure loads.

EBPMS stands for Electric Braking Performance Monitoring System and is a system to continually monitor how effective the brakes are at any given time.

Landing leg foot types: Wheeled, Flat, and Compensating Rocker. Explore options for stable and adaptable support.

Don-Bur's 'Lifting Decks,' evolving since the late '80s, use hydraulic rams and cables for precise lifting. Electric-powered and resistant to jamming.

ISO 7638: Vital 7-pin electrical trailer coupling powering ECU, enabling fast braking, load sensing, and roll stability. Legally required since May 2002.

Understand how trailer rollover prevention systems like RSS, RSP and RSC work, including key stages, sensor input, and driver safety insights.

Prevent trailer rollaway risks! Learn why applying park brakes is crucial. Don-Bur's infographic explains trailer air brakes to enhance safety during coupling.

Ensure vehicle compliance with Type Approval. 'E' marks and Certificates of Conformity validate standards. VCA oversees EU WVTA, NSSTA, and IVA in the UK.

Air line connections: C couplings in the UK. Palm couplings in Europe. Adapters may be needed for UK-EU tractor-trailer connections.

BS EN 12640 sets standards for commercial vehicle lashing points. Ensure compliance with design, construction, and positioning criteria for secure goods transport.