HGV Trailer Trestle Plates: Ensuring Stability and Safety

What Are Trestle Plates, and Why Are They Needed?

HGV trailer trestle plates are robust steel plates positioned just behind the kingpin and integrated into the trailer's main I-beams. These plates serve as reinforced contact points for adjustable trestles, offering essential stability in specific scenarios.

Trestle plates are crucial for maintaining safety and functionality in situations where additional support is required. Whether during ferry transport or at loading bays without a tractor unit, they ensure trailers remain stable, prevent tipping, and enable secure operations.

In fact, in some European countries, such as Germany, trestle plates are a minimum regulatory requirement for safe loading and unloading. This mandate reflects the importance of using trestle plates to reduce risks and enhance trailer stability during operations.

When Are Trestle Plates Used?

1. Ferry Transport

Trestle plates are integral for trailers transported via ferries. Ferry operators position adjustable trestles under the trestle plate, which supports the front of the trailer. The trailer is then lashed down using ferry lashing rings, a standard feature on ferry-specification trailers. This setup ensures the trailer remains secure during transit, protecting both cargo and equipment.

2. Loading Bays Without a Tractor Unit

At loading bays, trailers without a tractor unit are at risk of tipping forward if heavy loads are placed near the front without sufficient counterbalance at the rear. A trestle positioned under the trestle plate stabilises the trailer’s front, preventing tipping and allowing safe loading or unloading operations.

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