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3D render | Teardrop trailer in a showroom

The Aerodynamic Teardrop Trailer: Efficiency on the Road

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Why Teardrop™ Trailers?

The streamlined and patented shape of the Don-Bur Teardrop™ has been well proven since 2006 to return generous fuel savings without affecting internal load footprint.

The Teardrop™ generates rapid payback and highlights your company's environmental stance.

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Standard 4.2m high trailer

Standard trailer in windtunnel

⇧ Wind-tunnel illustration

Standard trailer turlulence

⇧ Turbulence illustration

Teardrop trailer

Teardrop trailer in windtunnel

⇧ Wind-tunnel illustration

Teardrop trailer turlulence

⇧ Turbulence illustration

fuel guage
Fuel guage

Fuel Savings

Current Average: 11.3%

 

read more icon See Teardrop case studies


Features

The Teardrop™, first conceived by the Don-Bur design team in 2006, is a unique and innovative commercial vehicle shape that mimics the natural and perfect aerodynamic properties of a liquid teardrop.

  • Reduces Fuel Consumption
  • Cuts CO2 Emissions
  • Cost-effective product with a rapid pay-back period
  • Maintains a striking, aesthetically pleasing design

marks spencer teardrop trailer
Marks & Spencer Teardrop trailer
tropfenauto
Tropfenauto

The Teardrop™ Origin

Shape modification of moving vehicles has been proven for some time to improve aerodynamic performance.

In the 1950's and 60's, aerodynamics played a crucial role to the design of racing cars, where engineers started to recognise the benefits of higher speed and better stability.

Image shown is the 'Tropfenauto' designed by Edmund Rumpler which literally translates as the 'teardrop car'


The Teardrop™ Shape Today

Today, although you may not be consciously aware of it, aerodynamic profiling is commonplace. Modern examples have exceptionally low aerodynamic drag as low as Cd 0.202 (2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS). 'Brick'-shaped cars no longer exist except in the garages of the most enthusiastic of collectors.

Sports equipment is also often streamlined to reduce power-sapping drag and gain improved performance.


Mercedes EQS Wind Tunnel
Mercedes EQS Wind Tunnel
tkmaxx teardrop rigid
TK Maxx Teardrop rigid

For those that operate them, Teardrop™ trailers and rigid bodywork proudly stand out amongst the crowd; representing companies that demand better efficiency and care about their impact on the environment…

…companies that are arguably now more attractive to those they supply.


Teardrop 26 Pallet Capacity
Teardrop 26 Pallet Capacity

Internal Load Capacity

There is no effect on load footprint. A standard 13.6m Teardrop™ trailer carries 26 UK pallets.

A generous rear aperture height can be maintained by lowering the chassis at the rear. This provides the capability to lower the roof height at the back without compromising volume or rear aperture.

Internal volume varies depending on overall height optimised roof curvature but will be comparable with existing specifications.


co2 emissions
CO2 emissions

Impact on CO2 Emissions

CO2 emissions are directly proportional to fuel consumed (2.63kgs CO2 / litre Diesel).

One combination travelling 60,000 miles per annum at 8.5 mpg will consume 32,080 litres of diesel and generate 84.37 tonnes of CO2. A 10% reduction in fuel use will cut CO2 emissions by 8.4 tonnes.


Typical Key Dimensions

Category Value
Length 8.0m - 13.7m long (15.650m for LST's)
Height 3.3m - 4.95m
Width 2.55m
Aperture Value
Curtain Sided 13.395m long (15.395m for LST's)
Box Sided 13.495m long (15.495m for LST's)
Aperture Height Up to 4.0m

Weights

Category Value
Typical TARE Weight 7.5T
Max Payload 29T
Maximum Gross Vehicle Weight 44T
Capacity Value
UK Pallets 26 (30 for LST's)
Euro Pallets 33 (38 for LST's)

Technical Drawing Examples

180117-PMT-TDR thumb

 

'Teardrop' Trailer

Tri-axle | Straight-frame | 1250mm fifth wheel height | 13.7m long | 4.3m high | 385/65 R22.5 tyres

18T Box Van Teardrop Rigid

 

18T 'Teardrop' Rigid Bodywork

4x2 Chassis | Blade Panel | 8.25m Body Length | 2.1m Rear Aperture Height | 2.55m Overall Width

180109-dbc2 thumb

 

'Teardrop' Draw-Bar Combination

Box Sided | Fixed Bodywork | Aerodynamic 'Teardrop' Bodywork | 30 UK Pallet Capacity

intellectual property designs
Intellectual property designs

Intellectual Property

The Teardrop™ trailer has the following protection which Don-Bur actively enforces:

  • Granted Patents: GB2443035 and GB2474379.
  • Community Registered Designs: 000867593-0001, 000709423-0002 and 000709423-0001.

360 Viewer

Take a virtual walk around an example Teardrop trailer design in our 360 panoramic viewer.

Scene menu buttons on the left of the viewer window allow you to navigate around the trailer to look at specific features.

Published: Wed 24 Jan 2024

Updated: Mon 12 Aug 2024

Don-Bur (Bodies & Trailers) Ltd

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