Freighter launches T-Liner Mark II

Freighter this week announced the release of a new trailer model called the T-Liner Mark II. Freighter says the model is an evolution of the widely used curtain-sided trailer, featuring less than a third as many buckles while maintaining the same vertical curtain tension.

At the launch of the new trailer in Melbourne, Freighter General Manager, Mario Colosimo, said that the Mark II reduces the number of buckles on a traditional T-Liner from 22 per side to just six, saving up to ten minutes per drop and limiting the risk of repetitive strain injuries.

"Less buckles results in less time spent opening and closing curtains," said Mario. "Operators can save up to ten minutes per drop, which is a significant productivity gain without the need for an additional investment into automation."

The T-Liner Mark II borrows ideas from a number of proven Freighter innovations to create a safer and more efficient trailer at an affordable price. "Previously it hasn’t been possible to reduce the number of buckles on a curtain without loss of vertical tension, which is vital to ensuring the curtains stay safely closed and don’t flap in the breeze when in transit," Mario said. 

"The use of Freighter’s proven ‘curtain arc technology’ spreads the vertical tension out evenly over the width of the curtain, making what was previously impossible, possible," he said. 

Freighter’s ‘curtain arc technology’ uses a high strength nylon rope running through a series of arcs at the bottom of the curtain to create vertical tension.

But the curtain arcs are only one piece of the puzzle. In order to create adequate tension with less than a third of the buckles, Freighter created a new 'high force' buckle. Higher tightening forces are achieved via a new buckle mechanism specifically designed for the T-Liner Mark II, while the unique strap-fastening point on the tie-rail also gives the buckle extra leverage.

A further advancement in the buckle is the inclusion of a non-slip clamp which ensures the high forces that the buckle produces are held in place while in transit. Freighter is so pleased with this non-slip feature that it plans to upgrade its standard buckle design across its range to include it.

"The non-slip feature is included on the Liner Mark II buckle, effective immediately," Mario said. "It will be added to existing T-Liner, Insuliner, Load Hold and AutoHold models by the end of 2016."

The T-Liner Mark II incorporates a number of patented and patent pending features. It is a culmination of a series of rolling upgrades to the Freighter range over the past eighteen months which have included a two-piece roof rail, easy-glide curtain rollers and two new load restraint gate options.

"Freighter is committed to taking the next step in furthering safety and productivity within its trailer designs and the T-Liner Mark II typifies that mantra," said Mario.