6. Trailer components

6.1 Undercarriage

The different types of undercarriage used for materials handling trailers are characterized by the following features.

• Single pivoting front axle

  This is undoubtedly the simplest, oldest and most widespread type. In-train tracking can be satisfactory, provided the rear hitch is far enough from the rear axle to pull the following trailer out of the bend. The front axle can be fully pivoted, but trailer stability may be totally compromised if the load is placed at the front of the trailer bed and the front axle is fully turned (figure 1 ).

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