In 2012, gas prices in the United States reached their highest levels in 80 years, according to a report by Energy.Gov. Since that time, auto transporters have benefited from a steady decline in fuel prices, lowering their operational expenses considerably.
However, global political turmoil and economic uncertainty have given many experts reason to believe that fuel prices will be fluctuating drastically in the years to come. How can auto transporters mitigate volatile fuel prices? By investing in lightweight, thoughtfully-engineered trailers, it’s possible to significantly improve fuel efficiency.
Increase carrying capacity
According to Green Car Congress and the ATA, more productive truck combinations can reduce fuel costs by increasing carrying capacity. With configurations equipped to haul more vehicles, the number of trailers (and the amount of fuel) required to move products decreases.
Road train combinations like KART Performance Trailers’ Megatrans + Rapid provide versatile configuration options that expand auto haulers’ load capacity. With the aerodynamic engineering that European car manufacturers are known for, Megatrans allows drivers to haul 10 to 12 vehicles, significantly increasing fuel efficiency.
Decrease vehicle weight
The heavier a truck and its trailer are, the more fuel will be required to operate it. Logically, reducing the empty weight of a trailer will reduce fuel costs. In fact, for every 10% drop in truck weight, there’s a 5% to 10% drop in fuel consumption
Savvy auto transporters invest in lightweight trailers that ease high fuel costs. Look for trailers that are constructed from lightweight materials like aluminum alloys. Aluminum upright posts alone can reduce the overall weight of a trailer by 600 lbs. The Megatrans + Rapid road train keeps weight low with aluminum posts, platforms, and hydraulic cylinders.
Improve aerodynamics
An aerodynamic vehicle meets with less resistance, which increases fuel efficiency. One cause of resistance in standard trailers is the size of the space between the tractor and the trailer. The larger the gap, the greater the air turbulence. According to a very thorough report on fuel economy published by Fleet Owner, fuel economy can be improved as much as 2% by reducing that gap from 45 to 25 inches.
KART Performance Trailers’ superstructure Megatrans follows European design standards that practically eliminate the gap between the cab and the trailer. This small innovation has an enormous impact on safety and on fuel efficiency.
Invest in superior quality construction
As trucks pick up miles, they also pick up wear and tear. These normal, day-to-day insults to tires, engines, and other components decrease the fuel efficiency of trucks even with regular maintenance.
However, companies that invest in tractors and trailers built from superior quality materials will incur less damage than standard models. KART Performance Trailers combine lightweight aluminum alloys for fuel efficiency with high-quality iron for endurance. This pairing ensures that trailers perform more efficiently over a longer period of time. Are you prepared to weather volatile fuel costs? If you’re not sure, give the specialists at KART Performance Trailers a call to learn more about our fuel efficient line of trailers.
Share this Post