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Borcat Trailer’s history dates back to 1958 when Angelo Borg and Paul Muscat began building trailers for use in their own coal cartage company, with their first trailer built being a 16-foot single axle steel tipper.

Throughout the years Borcat Trailers pioneered new technology as not only did trailer designs change, but materials as well, such as the introduction of high-tensile aluminium. A lot of hard work, time and money went in to getting the thickness and grades right before they reached the high-quality craftsmanship they are known for today.  

In 2008, Angelo sold the business to current owners John Thompson and Paul Gallagher, with the handover being carefully supervised by Angelo. Both John and Paul were more than happy to receive the advice and wisdom from a man whom was a pioneer and had been so successful and well respected in the industry for such a long time.

Transporting a load with the right weight distribution is a critical factor in a safe journey from point A to B. Even when a truck is not overloaded, unbalanced loads are a hazard.

Poorly distributed loads can be a factor that contributes to truck rollovers.  An uneven load causes extra movement, making it more difficult to control the vehicle and putting extra strain on truck and trailer suspension components.

An uneven load, especially with more load at the rear of the trailer or truck, will result in a reduction in steering, and can cause “fish-tailing” and loss of control resulting in a possible jack knife or a rollover. Too much weight on one side of the truck causes other problems such as steering out of corners and curves. On hills and slippery surfaces, where traction is needed, the tyres on the heavy side will have more traction and the tyres on the light side will lack traction. Poorly balanced loads can also affect braking, causing the brakes on one side of the truck to lock up.

Earlier this year, the National Transport Commission released a new, updated Load Restraint Guide 2018 for heavy vehicles, and for the first time Restraint guide for Light vehicles less than  4.5 tonnes.

Last reviewed in 2004, the revised guide is designed to provide transport operators, drivers and other participants in the transport chain of responsibility (COR) with practical advice on how to safely transport a load.

When launching the first draft of the new guide, NTC acting chief executive Geoff Allan highlighted the need for the update.

"Items falling from trucks can cause collisions, deaths and injuries and contribute to congestion and environmental damage.”

"The aim is to improve freight operators’ understanding of how to properly restrain loads."

"Over the past twelve years, the power of vehicles and their braking ability has improved significantly, and this places greater stress on the load restraints," he says.

Unfortunately, some tipper operators do not have a particularly good image with the public due to the mud and clay deposits left behind on the road as well as the perception that tippers are more likely to cause damage from flying stones and other loose material.

The legal intent of the loading performance standards has not changed—the required level of restraint for a heavy vehicle load is the same.  However, the wording of the performance standards contained in the Load Restraint Guide 2018 has been amended to facilitate the transfer of the performance standards into the Heavy Vehicle National Law and the Australian Road Rules.

Upon launching the new guide in 2018, NTC Chief Executive, Paul Retter, said the updated Load Restraint Guide provides practical advice on how to safely transport a load.

Many trucks come equipped with inclusive multiple-sensor systems that monitor speed control, automatic emergency braking and have lane departure warnings. One system, or piece of equipment that tends to require retro-fitting are reversing cameras.

While it can be difficult just driving a heavy-duty truck, trying to reverse them requires a mastery that often comes with experience. However, if you are driving to a location that is quite busy and has many people on-site, having a reversing camera system installed is a necessary safety feature for you as the driver and those nearby.

When on a work site there is so much happening maintaining control of your visibility is key to reducing the possibility of accidents occurring. Therefore, you need to look at benefits of having a reversing system installed on your truck.

When it comes to heavy vehicle road safety, there is always concerns around the possibility of debris from uncovered, or poorly covered loads, becoming dislodged and causing accidents or injury to other drivers or pedestrians.

Therefore, if you are going to be hauling various types of loads from bricks to demolition rubble, soil or sand, you need to know your options when it comes to covering your load.  But what is the right kind of cover for what you are hauling?

Trucks are the hardy workhorse of the transport industry. Weighing tonnes and able to carry just as much again over short and long distances, there is almost no terrain they cannot conquer.

Not only are big rigs able to carry and handle large loads, their larger-than-normal tyres and mudflaps have the ability to conceal dirt, rocks and varying types of construction site debris behind them and in between the tread.

Tyres and mudflaps are not the only places where dirt and debris can become lodged on a truck, there can be quite a lot found on the undercarriage. Depending on how long the truck takes to unload, the mud and other debris may have had a chance to settle, making it look quite firm as though it isn’t going anywhere. Some may even blend in with other dirt and mud that has accumulated on the truck.

There are plenty of hazards you need to look out for when operating a heavy vehicle. Wet roads, large potholes, small cars and motorcycles darting in and out of lanes. Then there are the rural roads, and having to avoid wildlife that seemingly pop out of nowhere.

And that’s just on the road.

If you are driving a tipper, then not only do you need to worry about road safety, but also safety when operating the tipper.

There are many skills required in order to become a professional Heavy Vehicle operator.

When you have been one for a long time, you become so familiar with the way your vehicle handles, it’s like an extension of your own body. Which is why understanding your truck’s limits is extremely important. One of the most important limitations is that of your payload. It’s more than just taking into account your vehicles abilities, it’s also about safety for you and others on the road.

Below we’ve collated a few points to consider when making sure your vehicle, and its load, are at their safest.