Stand Y25 | Road Transport Expo (RTX) | Stoneleigh Park | 24th–26th June
Don-Bur is set to make a strong impression at this year’s Road Transport Expo (RTX), bringing innovation, insight, and practical solutions to Stand Y25. Among the two exhibits featured on the stand, the highlight is a newly developed lifting deck trailer, supplied to TIP Trailer Services for their customer, Whistl. It comes fitted with a comprehensive suite of safety features designed to enhance operational safety and efficiency.
Leading with Safety
In an industry where safety is paramount, Don-Bur’s latest trailer goes beyond compliance. The Whistl unit incorporates the new Don-Bur Safety Suite, an integrated collection of three core systems designed to reduce risk and improve driver awareness:
EBS-Safe – An intelligent EBS monitoring system that actively checks ISO 7638 connections and issues alerts in the event of power or signal loss.
Suspension-Safe – A new addition to Don-Bur’s safety line-up, Suspension-Safe alerts the operator if the trailer’s air suspension is raised above ride height. Particularly beneficial for double deck trailers, it helps ensure that the overall trailer height does not exceed the target height, reducing the risk of bridge strikes.
Leg-Safe – A safeguard that ensures landing legs are fully lowered when decoupling, helping to prevent dangerous and costly trailer ‘drops’.
In addition, the trailer is equipped with Deck-Talk – a warning system that issues spoken status alerts to nearby personnel when the lifting deck is being operated – further enhancing safety during operation.
These features are fully integrated into the trailer's design and reflect Don-Bur’s ongoing commitment to practical, technology-driven safety solutions.
Designed for Real-World Performance
Tailored for high-volume cage and pallet transport, the Whistl lifting deck trailer features a full-length lifting platform rated at 10,000kg SWL, backed by a robust chassis and an array of specification refinements.
Key features include:
- 2440mm wide lifting deck, allowing two UK pallets to be loaded side-by-side.
- 52 UK pallet footprint across two decks.
- On-board battery system recharged in part by roof-mounted solar panels, enabling standalone lifting deck operation.
- 1880mm aperture clearance on the lower deck when the upper deck is raised.
- 4920mm overall height when coupled to a 1250mm fifth wheel.
- Tri-axle running gear with 2095mm wide-track axles for enhanced stability.
- Standard 385/65 R22.5 tyres.
- Reinforced neck and rear floor, including full-width bed plate for durability.
- Side guard infill panels to help protect vulnerable road users.
- Sloped, reinforced rearframe, engineered to sit perpendicular to the road.
- Energy-absorbing rear buffers.
- EcoStream aerodynamic roof design to minimise drag and improve fuel efficiency.
- Blade Panels – Don-Bur’s proprietary composite side panels offer improved impact resistance and internal capacity.
- Lightweight aluminium shutter with retention latch to secure it in the open position.
- TIP telematics for real-time performance and location monitoring.
- High-output LED interior lighting to support safe loading operations.
Karl Davies, Commercial Director UK&I at TIP Group, commented:
"We’re delighted to be working with Don-Bur on this latest batch of trailers. Safety and reliability are key concerns for our customers, and innovations like the Safety Suite demonstrate a clear focus on addressing real-world operational challenges."
Daniel Challinor, Commercial Director at Don-Bur, added:
"This trailer is the result of close collaboration between Don-Bur, TIP, and Whistl. It's an excellent example of how advanced engineering can enhance both safety and efficiency for high-volume operations."
Also on Display: Don-Bur Rigid Curtainsider
Don-Bur has been a significant manufacturer of rigid bodywork for decades. While the company is well known for its trailer innovations, it maintains a strong presence in the rigid sector. The inclusion of the rigid is a reminder of Don-Bur’s long-standing expertise and strength in this field.
The featured bespoke curtainsider body is mounted to a Volvo FM11 Globetrotter chassis with a steering rear axle, offering outstanding manoeuvrability for urban and tight delivery environments. The 8.534m long body features a generous 2.44m high side aperture, providing easy access for loading.
It is designed specifically to accommodate an Electric E4 25.3 Moffett Mounty forklift, enabling rapid and independent loading/unloading at delivery points. The body includes heavy-duty 29mm phenolic flooring, easy-glide curtain rollers, and high-efficiency LED work lamps for improved visibility.
To assist with load security, a full-length 'LoadFix' conformable load sheet is installed, supporting flexible and secure load containment. Additional practical features include two 1-metre stainless steel toolboxes fitted beneath the body for added storage and operational convenience.
This rigid bodywork demonstrates Don-Bur’s capability to deliver tailored, high-performance solutions to meet the diverse needs of major fleets.
- Ends –
Photo Opportunity
A number of press photo shoot opportunities will be available at Stand Y25 throughout the event. Additional high-resolution photos will be made available on 24 June 2025.
Notes to Editors:
For more information on the features mentioned above:
- EBS-Safe: https://donbur.co.uk/features/safety/ebs-safe.html
- Suspension-Safe: https://donbur.co.uk/features/safety/suspension-safe-stand-alone-suspension-alert-system.html
- Leg-Safe: https://donbur.co.uk/features/landing-legs/leg-safe.html
- Deck-Talk: https://donbur.co.uk/features/safety/deck-talk.html
- Blade Panels: https://donbur.co.uk/features/panels/blade-panels.html
- LoadFix: https://donbur.co.uk/features/load-restraint/loadfix-sheet-design.html
Contacts:
Don-Bur | Richard Owens | +44(0)7891 405 600 | richard.owens@donbur.co.uk
About Don-Bur
Established in 1981, the Don-Bur Group is an internationally recognised leader in the design and manufacture of bespoke, innovative trailers and rigid vehicle bodywork. Renowned for its expertise in double-deck and lifting deck trailers, Don-Bur develops products that maximise load space utilisation while enhancing safety, compliance, and asset value.
Headquartered in Stoke-on-Trent in the West Midlands, Don-Bur employs a flexible workforce of 550 and generates an annual group turnover of £90 million. Its vertically integrated divisions include a 24-acre manufacturing facility, a curtains and load restraint department, an in-house graphics house, a parts division, and three after-sales service sites offering repairs, servicing, MOT preparation, and refurbishment.
Don-Bur delivers tailored solutions for a demanding client base and provides exceptional customer support, being accountable throughout the entire client partnership. The organisation also prioritises sustainability, aligning with ESG principles to minimise environmental impact and promote responsible business practices. This comprehensive offering ensures optimal fleet performance and long-term value throughout the entire vehicle lifecycle.
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