Issued: 30th June 2026
For Immediate Release
With transport operators facing continued pressure from rising operating costs and the need to improve efficiency, maximising the amount of freight carried on every journey remains one of the most effective ways to improve fleet productivity.
At Road Transport Expo 2026, Don-Bur is showcasing one of its latest high-volume Longer Semi-Trailer (LST) lifting deck trailers, demonstrating how established trailer technologies can be combined to maximise volumetric efficiency within current UK regulations.
The 15.65m tri-axle box van combines Don-Bur's hydraulic Lifting Deck system with Longer Semi-Trailer dimensions to provide a calculated load volume of 136.24m³ and capacity for 52 UK pallets. Compared with an equivalent 13.6m lifting deck trailer, the vehicle offers almost 19m³ of additional load space, enabling operators to carry significantly more freight within the same vehicle movement.
As operators seek to improve productivity and control costs, increasing the amount of freight carried per trip can help reduce the number of journeys required to move the same volume of goods. For high-volume transport operations, the ability to carry almost 19m³ of additional freight within a single trailer can deliver benefits including improved vehicle utilisation, reduced driver hours, lower maintenance costs and fewer vehicle movements.
The trailer on display reflects a growing focus on volumetric efficiency across sectors where vehicle cube, rather than payload weight, is often the limiting factor. Retail distribution, FMCG logistics, parcel operations and other high-volume transport applications continue to seek ways of moving more goods without increasing vehicle movements.
Don-Bur pioneered hydraulic Lifting Deck technology in the late 1980s and has continued to develop the concept for more than three decades. Combined with the additional length available through the UK's Longer Semi-Trailer regulations, operators can make greater use of the available vehicle envelope without increasing journey numbers.
The RTX exhibit also highlights the importance of tailoring trailer design to individual operating requirements. While Don-Bur can produce lifting deck LST trailers capable of accommodating up to 60 UK pallets through the use of a full-length upper deck, this particular trailer has been configured with an open loading area above the swan-neck and Don-Bur's EcoStream aerodynamic roof design.
This arrangement provides greater flexibility for taller freight in the front section of the trailer whilst retaining the aerodynamic advantages associated with the sloping roof profile. Previous fleet studies have demonstrated significant fuel savings from the EcoStream roof design. The result is a trailer optimised not simply for maximum pallet count, but for the balance of capacity, load flexibility and operational efficiency required by the operator.
Dave Burton, Managing Director of Don-Bur, said:
Transport operators continue to face significant pressure from rising operating costs, driver availability and the need to improve efficiency throughout their fleets. In that environment, increasing the amount of freight carried on every journey remains one of the most effective ways of reducing transport cost per unit delivered.
Visitors to RTX 2026 will be able to view the trailer on Stand Y24 and discuss Don-Bur's range of trailer, bodywork, refurbishment, service, repair, curtain and graphics solutions with members of the team.
Road Transport Expo takes place from 30 June to 2 July 2026 at NAEC Stoneleigh.
- Ends -
Further Reading
Understanding Longer Semi-Trailers (LSTs)
Discover the benefits of Lifting Deck Trailers
Notes to Editors
Photography opportunities and interviews with Don-Bur representatives are available on Stand Y24 throughout the exhibition.
Contacts
Richard Owens | +44 (0)7891 405 600 | richard.owens@donbur.co.uk
