Articulated trailer conversions - Multi Vehicle Technology

THis articulated trailer conversion features a hinge up canopy and fold down stage and is used as a multi purpose roadshow vehicle.

A light weight articulated trailer conversion used by Honda to promote a range of its products and seen here at the Great Yorkshire Showground — A lightweight articulated trailer at the Great Yorkshire Show

To accommodate an increase in articulated trailer conversions we have recently enlarged our manufacturing workshops. This will enable us to satisfy the growing number of requests we currently receive to convert, refurbish or simply service clients articulated trailers.

The great news being that we can work on more trailers simultaneously without having to worry about storing one or two outdoors. Now all work can be undertaken undercover which is an all-round improvement that will also speed up completion times.

Our experience covers bespoke articulated trailers designed for special purposes rather than construction of standard commercial goods carrying trailers, although we are not averse to servicing those too! The work we have done covers a wide range of industries all of whom require trailers for a diverse range of uses, which we will say a little more about later in this blog.

Our skills lie in the conversion and refurbishment of both HGV trailers and lightweight articulated trailers, the former being trailers up to 13.6 metres in length and the latter being those trailers falling between 8 and 10 metres body lengths with a gross plated weight of no more than 8500 kgs.

What are the main benefits of our articulated trailer conversions?

Interior of an articulated trailer conversion where it has been fitted out as a presentation room with lots of freestanding seating and presentation screens on the walls — A product presentation interior with freestanding audience seating

The majority of our clients are more than able to make use of chassis cab conversions which have a maximum rating of 3500 kgs although some do need to go for larger vehicles at 5,000 kgs and even 7500 kgs. Others can achieve what they wish to do using standard towable turntable steer and tandem axle trailers which range from four metres body length up to seven metres, though again limited to 3500 kgs gross plated weight.

For some it is simply impossible to achieve what they need to do within the restrictions of these dimensions and weights for which the perfect solution is the use of an HGV articulated trailer. If only a slight increase in weight or dimension is required over 3500 kgs then it is possible that a lightweight articulated trailer (sometimes referred to as a Mini Artic) is the solution and to be recommended. That said these do appear to be falling out of fashion a little even though there are some cost and driver licencing benefits to be gained by using them. All options can be discussed ito select the best trailer for the job.

For most the HGV articulated trailer option is the right choice as this means there are effectively no weight restrictions on the features we add as part of the conversion and what items are carried on board, although there are some exceptions if oversized equipment is involved!! At 13.6 metres long and normally around 2500 mm in width the internal dimensions are spacious enough for many but, if insufficient, we have ways to increase this floor space. Often increasing it threefold.

Incidentally, if the trailer conversion is to operate in Europe the maximum legal height on the road must be four metres. If only for use in the UK, then there is no height restriction for the conversion, but going over this height does restrict the routes that can be driven on due to the number of low bridges that we have on many of our roads. Be aware, but we will of cover this with you on any new builds!

So just what kind of use are our articulated conversions put to?

The simple answer to this question would be to say “infinite,” whilst a bit of an exaggeration ……not far from the truth, as there are so many projects and purposes we can take mobile. So let us just list some of the uses articulated conversions are used for:

The upper deck of an showing an office desk with visitor seating. — The upper deck of a double deck roadshow trailer

Training classrooms

Exhibition trailers

Product display and demonstration

Wide range of health services

Mobile bars and restaurants

Mobile libraries

Laboratories and testing centres

Blood transfusion donation

Screening services and surgeries

Stages and podiums

Seating grandstands

Outreach services and youth clubs

Kitchens and catering facilities

Mobile banking

Commentary boxes

Mobile studios

Mess rooms

Mobile offices and hospitality

Accommodation facilities

Washrooms and toilets

Mobile simulators

It can be seen from just this brief list that the variety of uses gives rise to a significant variation in the type, style, and installations of any of our trailer conversions.

Interior refurbishment of an existing trailer showing product display of poppies and merchandise for the Royal British Legion — An interior upgrade of an existing promotional trailer to repair wear and tear of being on the road.

Available features for our articulated trailer conversions

An articulated trailer is fundamentally an oblong box with thirty-four square meters of floor space which may be sufficient for the purpose it is required for. Some projects, particularly those for health services, may require more floor space via the addition of slide out pods and gull wing extensions. Quite often projects such as exhibition trailers benefit from the installation of a roof viewing galley which necessitates internal or external stairs being fitted of which we have a range of designs.

We can even enclose these upper decks with hydraulically operated raised body work to create a complete room. Trailer conversions operated by Movico in the Netherlands extend up to three levels, so it really is possible to create incredible structures!

The one slight drawback of articulated trailers versus other vehicle and trailer conversions we undertake is their higher floor height which makes access more of a issue, especially so if open to the public. This applies as much to the lower floors of step frame models as it does to flat beds which are higher. But we can easily overcome this particular downside via attractive stepped entrances, mobility lifts and even ramps. The choice between these features being entirely dependent upon the purpose of the trailer.

We can also install or refurbish standard features such as hinge up banner boards, swing out display panels, side skirts and design, supply and apply graphics within our workshop for a total one stop service.

We have specialist production teams to install services ranging from catering equipment and plumbing to gas and electrics plus a “geeky” team capable of installing the very latest IT, electronics and telecommunications technologies. Whilst on board generator systems have traditionally been the norm we are now installing (and retrofitting to existing articulated trailers) solar panels supporting battery power packs to help clients lower their carbon footprint.

New build or second-hand conversion?

Exterior entrance to an exhibition trailer to illustrate how easy it is to create an attractive entrance using artificial grass, fencing and deck chairs. — A trailer entrance can be enhanced by the creative use of simple features such as fencing, artificial grass and seating.

This is an interesting question that needs to be considered on a project-by-project basis as these are options for any project and final choice will be influenced by a number of factors including the budget for the job, the work to be done and the timeframe in which it is required.

If the need is for a unique trailer with various floor levels and fully fitted hydraulics then starting with a Type Approved articulated trailer chassis and adding all else including body new will certainly be the way to go.

For smaller budgets and to achieve tight deadlines or for those conversions where perhaps we are only fitting extensions and interiors then it is possible to take a standard commercial body and use that as the base from which to work. This is very often the only way to build within a short timeframe.

Its also possible to recycle a used second-hand trailer, and given even a basic budget, we can transform the saddest looking commercial goods trailer into a stylish and practical and attractive conversion suitable for even the biggest brands to be proud of.

An articulated trailer conversionshowing an extension pod fitted to the offside of an exhibition trailer — Slide out extension pods increase interior floor space.

Refurbishment and servicing of existing articulated trailer conversions

Whilst we thrive on the challenge and excitement of new build projects, and in our extended premises we can now take on more of them, we also have an in-house refurbishment team who specialise in taking existing specialist trailers and repairing, updating, upgrading and re-purposing them for a new life on the road.

However small or major the refurbishment we are more than happy to take on the job.

Even basic routine servicing is something we can assist clients with covering issues such as:

Interior of an articulated trailer fitted with an extension pod to one side and a gull wing extension to the other and illustrating how the floor space has been trebled by these features — Interior of trailer to highlight space created by extensions to nearside and offside.

Trailer chassis, tyre and body inspection and damage repair

Trailer brake testing.

MOT preparation and certification.

Electrical installation re-certification

Hydraulic systems inspection and servicing.

Power systems including generators and solar panels repairs.

Passenger lift certifications

Air conditioning servicing

Gas installation inspection and certification

Updating user manuals

A lightweight articulated trailer conversion featuring a gull wing extension and access ramp. The gull wing wall is fully glazed. — An entrance created using a gull wing extension and featuring a hinged drop down entrance ramp.

A final word on creative design

At Multi Vehicle Technology we specialise in the creation and construction of unique bespoke vehicles and trailers. Our Creative Designers work alongside our Engineering Design Team to assist every client with an articulated trailer conversion project get just what they need, in the most cost-effective way. All of us at MVTech believe in giving value for money. That’s exactly what we have built our reputaion on.

If you know what you want and have a design in mind then that is fine, we can work to that. But if you are unsure what you want, or what can be done (and that applies to many of our clients) we are here to help you creatively and more than happy discuss your project from which we can take a brief and produce visuals for you and your colleagues to consider. If the need is there, we can even provide you with animated video to help understand the proposals before you need to make a commitment.

For more information on our articulated trailer conversions and refurbishments call us on 0116 326 0989 or write to us at sales@multivehicletechnology.co.uk

Better still why not fix up a meeting? We make use of Teams meetings but are just as happy to do the old-fashioned thing and meet up in person at your place or ours! Our workshops in Thurmaston, Leicester are centrally located for ease of access from most of the country and visitors are always welcome.