Maxi-CUBE: PBS push in Brisbane

While Performance Based Standards have to date centred more on truck-and-dog tipper combinations, trailer specialist Maxi-CUBE says it will be highlighting its PBS prowess in refrigerated trailers at the upcoming Brisbane Truck Show.

Maxi-CUBE delivered the first ever PBS van into Queensland last year, and the company's General Manager, Kevin Manfield, says the Brisbane Truck Show will help it build momentum as word of the benefits of PBS refrigerated trailers spreads.

"While our delivery last year to Fruithaul was the first ever PBS van sold into Queensland, we have sold 60 completed units around the country which stem back a number of years," he says.

"That number is increasing rapidly, as more trailers hit the road and operators learn of the benefits they can gain."

Under PBS design standards approved truck and trailer combinations are permitted to safely carry larger payloads than normally permitted, improving road transport efficiency and paying dividends for canny operators.

While a regular van has space for 22 pallets, a PBS-approved van can accommodate up to 26 or even 28 pallets.

"Of course, when you're stacking to the roof, that means a significant amount of extra load per trip, without the extra expense of a B-double," says Manfield.

The Maxi-CUBE display at Brisbane will feature a Fruithaul PBS trailer – the company's third and one similar in spec to the first, with a capacity of 26 pallets and a payload of 23 tonnes.

Manfield says the show will be a great opportunity to highlight the benefits of the PBS scheme in general.

"The real key to PBS is a thorough understanding of the scheme," he says.

"Maxi-CUBE is manufactured by MaxiTRANS, which as a group has over 72 approved PBS designs – we believe to be the most of any manufacturer. As a result, there are hundreds of MaxiTRANS PBS combinations on Australian roads, giving us the experience in the field to solve just about any customer challenge.

"Our team will be on-hand to answer any questions the public may have about PBS – how it works, the safety aspect and, most importantly, how it can help improve profitability."

Maxi-CUBE will be located in the main exhibition hall on stand 32 at the Brisbane Truck Show. The show runs over May 14-17 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.