Car transporter (truck)

Variant as a semi-trailer

A car transporter in Europe is a truck that can be used to transport cars . In the narrower sense, tow trucks , even if they can transport cars as platform vehicles, are usually not viewed as car transporters, but only heavier commercial vehicles that can transport several cars at the same time.

Today this is mostly a tractor with a close-coupled trailer. Close coupled means that the trailer coupling is flanged directly behind the rear axle of the towing vehicle. Such a trailer therefore has a significantly longer drawbar than an ordinary articulated trailer. For example, a closely coupled trailer has a shorter distance from the towing vehicle, which is advantageous in the case of a car transporter that must have a continuous travel ramp from the trailer to the towing vehicle. The trailer can have a single or a twin axle (double axle), as well as single or twin tires (double tires).

use

Closed car transporter

Car transporters are conspicuously operated by various lifting platforms, hydraulically or by threaded spindles, in order to adapt the load, i.e. vehicles of all kinds, to the height and length regulations applicable there in accordance with the countries in which they are transported. A car transporter is mainly designed for the transport of cars. For the transport of trucks, tractors or large agricultural equipment, there are special types of transporters without a second loading level and loading gear (chains and lashing straps) dimensioned according to the size of the vehicle to be transported.

Loading typically takes place as follows: First the upper level of the truck is loaded, then the lower level. Loading usually takes place via a so-called drive-through via ramps through or via the trailer onto the tractor. There are trucks with a payload of one to ten cars. Eight to ten vehicles are common in heavy haulage. Car transporters are always loaded in a double system, for example with four cars in the upper loading area and four cars in the lower loading area.

A special load is, for example, a train of ten with smaller vehicles, or a negative stacking, i.e. H. the car to be loaded there on the upper loading platform of the towing vehicle, after being fixed in the brackets, is tilted downwards (negatively) together with the lifting platform, so that space is created for a third vehicle, which is driven upwards on ramps in contrast to the second vehicle becomes. This assumes that the first loading point with the corresponding vehicle in the lower driving area behind the driver's cab of the tractor unit is already fixed for transport. This also applies to the first car on the upper loading level. This logically has to be loaded and fixed in front of the negatively stacked car.

In large countries such as the USA , Canada or Australia , car transporters are correspondingly larger.

typical car transporter
entire train
coupling
closed car transporter
closed transporter with pick-up as a tractor
Extra long Chinese car transporter with double lane on the upper deck (there already 14 cars)

The Mercedes racing transporter

In 2001, the MIKA GmbH company in Mölln created a unique specimen that simulates an equally unique car transporter from 1954. The car called the “Blue Wonder” with stylistic elements from Mercedes SL sports cars had W 196 and 300 SLR racing cars on its loading area. After the withdrawal from motorsport in 1955, the vehicle with speeds of up to 170 km / h was no longer needed and was finally scrapped in 1967. At the birthday party for the 100th anniversary of the Mercedes-Benz brand in 2001, the company presented the replica . Another replica is owned by Jay Leno