ACMAT RM215

     Notes: The RM215 is a light cross-country trailer designed specifically for towing behind the ACMAT range of trucks. The RM215 therefore uses the same wheels and tires as the ACMAT 4x4 trucks, and has a strong suspension able to take considerable bouncing around.  The trailer has an integral 200-liter water tank and a small retractable front wheel for use when the trailer is not being towed.

     There are several variants of the RM215.  The RM215 STL Cargo is a general cargo-carrying version, with side panels that may be dropped or removed, and a tailgate.  The RM215 STL includes two toolboxes (but not tools), four 20-liter jerry cans, and a spare tire.  The load area may mount a frame for a tarpaulin, or various shelter bodies.

     The RM215 STL Mobile Field Kitchen uses a special platform on the chassis of the trailer.  This platform mounts the field kitchen, which includes 4 cookers, a broiler, two 115-liter boiling pans, a roasting pan, 2 work surfaces, a cupboard, and a sink.  A fuel tank is included that can power the various devices for up to four hours.  The standard 200-liter water tank is replaced by one with a capacity of 400 liters.  The trailer comes with an umbrella-type tarpaulin.

     The RM215 SC Tanker has sealed steel tank to carry fuel, water, or POL products.  This version does not have a 200-liter water tank, but does have the two stowage boxes.

     The RM215 GE Generator Set carries a generator with a capacity of 55 kW as standard, though others may be carried as the trailer allows.  The generator is mounted on a special platform on the chassis of the trailer.  The generator is diesel-driven, and the fuel tank is sufficient for 30 hours of continuous running at full load.  The platform includes skids to allow the generator to be more easily removed from the trailer if necessary. Power cables, grounding rods, and electrical tools are included in the cost of the trailer.

     The RM215 SA Special Workshop is a shelter version designed for combat maintenance use.  The sides of the shelter are quite thick steel and are equivalent to light armor.  The equipment carried in a standard Special Workshop includes a wide selection of tools (equal to two sets of basic tools, one set of wheeled vehicle tools, one set of excavating tools, and one set of power tools), a 180-liter oil tank, an 11 kW generator, an air compressor, a tilting work bench with several vises, and a sliding bench with a grinding machine and a drilling machine.

     The RM215 SHF is basically a large refrigerator on a trailer chassis, along with an 11 kW generator for the refrigeration unit and a tarpaulin to cover it. 

ACMAT RM430/440

     Notes: This is a 4-wheeled heavy-duty trailer primarily meant to carry shelters for mobile workshops, generators, communications setups, and suchlike, though they can be configured as cargo carriers as well.  The front and rear suspensions are independent, and the tires and wheels are the same as used on the ACMAT VLRA 4x4 series of trucks.  The load platform is surrounded by panels which may be swung down or removed.  Standard equipment which comes with this trailer includes a 200-liter water tank, two toolboxes (but not the including the tools), a folding access ladder, and a 1.8-meter long drawbar.  It is strong enough to be airdropped.

     The RM440 is a larger version of the RM430; it is primarily meant for towing behind ACMAT 6x6 trucks.  It has a larger load-carrying capacity, and is physically bigger, but is otherwise similar in design.

ACMAT SR490 Semi-Trailer

     Notes: This is a large military semi-trailer designed for use as a mobile repair shop, communications node, or command post (amongst other things).  It is designed specifically to be towed by the various ACMAT semi-tractor variants of ACMAT heavy trucks, most commonly the TPK 6.35 TSR.  The rear suspension of the SR490 is, in fact the same as that of the rear suspension of the TPK 6.35, using the same wheels, tires, and shocks.  The semi-trailer has a platform ahead of the enclosed body for the mounting of a generator or other cargo, along with the necessary connections for a generator.  A 200-liter water tank is standard on the SR490, and a spare tire is also carried as standard.  The trailer also has NATO-standard air transport strap-down points (but is not air droppable).  If necessary, the body of the semi-trailer may be completely removed and replaced with a large tank for the transport of 9000 liters of fuel, water, or POL products. The SR490 uses a total of two axles and four heavy-duty tires.

ARE F2 Ammunition Trailer

     Notes: This trailer was designed specifically for the towing of additional ammunition behind the AMX13 VCA, which is a tracked vehicle that carries ammunition and some of the gun crew for Mk F3 self-propelled howitzers.  The trailer is constructed of heavy steel and offers some armor protection for the contents.  The trailer contains removable racks for 30 155mm shells and charges, and 6 hinged cases for fuzes.  The rear door folds downward into a working platform, or may be folded down completely in the manner of a tailgate.  When the rear door is closed it forms a watertight seal, allowing fording of up to 1-meter depth.  The tires are made from bullet-resistant rubber and are run-flat, and mounted on torsion bars to enhance their cross-country capabilities.  The ammunition racks and stowage boxes may be removed, and the ARE F2 used for general cargo purposes.  It may also be towed behind other types of vehicles, though it is a rather heavy trailer for its size.

Decauville SRPC48

     Notes: The SRPC48 is a standard sort of tank transporter semi-trailer designed to transport what were at the time of its design (mid 1980s) considered heavy tanks, but what would now be considered medium tanks.  It was designed in hopes for sales to European militaries, but at that time, Europe was in the process of changing to heavier tanks such as the Leopard 2, Challenger, Leclerc, and Ariete -- thus most sales went to countries still using medium tanks, mostly in the Middle East and Africa.

     The suspension, though fairly low, has its axles mounted on oscillating balance bars, which produces somewhere between a road-only and off-road ride.  All wheels have airbrakes, operated by the towing vehicle’s air system or an integral air compressor if necessary.  The SRPC48 has hand-operated loading ramps at the rear, though power ramps are an option.  The front of the trailer has stabilizers which may be lowered if the trailer is not hooked to a towing vehicle. At various points atop and underneath the trailer are a variety of stowage boxes and bins, to store the ropes, chains, tie-down cables and other securing equipment which comes with the SRPC48.  Other equipment which comes with the SRPC48 includes two spare tires and a jack.  The trailer has adjustable track guides and blocks.  Optional equipment which may come with the SRPC48 includes a deck with rollers for the loading of cargo other than vehicles, drinking water tanks of various sizes, racks of various sizes for jerry cans, and camouflage nets large enough for the trailer, the towing vehicle, and the vehicle being transported.

Fruehauf Flatbed Semi-Trailers

     Notes: These trailers are produced in a variety of sizes, and are intended for the transport of large cargoes and vehicles.  Versions of each size are built with tilt-beds, with van bodies, and cargo containers, and the trailers are equipped with NATO-compatible tie-downs and lock-down devices.  The trailers are two-axle, eight-tire designs meant primarily for use over roads and other reasonably-paved surfaces.  They have stabilizer legs at the front for use when the trailers are not being towed, and are equipped with a spare tire as well as a small cargo platform beneath the cargo bed, with its own tie-downs.

Fruehauf Heavy Tank Transporter Semi-Trailer

     Notes: As the name suggests, this is a large heavy-duty semi-trailer designed for the transport of tanks and other heavy vehicles.  The trailer has two manually operated ramps for loading of the vehicle to be carried, each 0.6 meters wide.  These ramps have removable track guides, as does the trailer itself.  The front of the trailer has stabilizers for use when the trailer is not connected to a semi-tractor.  This trailer is primarily meant for road use, and has limited off-road capability.  The trailer has two axles at the rear and uses a total of eight tires.

Fruehauf Fuel Tanker Semi-Trailers

     Notes: Three versions of this semi-trailer are produced.  They were specifically designed for the transportation of fuels, and are not meant for water or POL products.  The trailer sets include all the drainage pipes, pumps (operated by a 2 kW APU), stabilizers mounted in the front of the trailers to enable them to stand alone, enclosed containers on the sides of the trailers for the stowage of the pipes and filling gear, and shielding for the electrical systems to prevent them from accidentally starting a fire in the tank.  The tanks are made from aluminum, have ladders on the rear to allow climbing to the top, a filling hatch on top, and guardrails along the top sides of the tanks.  The 30,000-liter trailer has two compartments (one above the other) and can thus carry two different types of fuel if necessary.  The 37,500-liter trailer has five compartments (behind each other down the length of the tank), and can carry up to five different fuel types if necessary.

LOHR RM16

     Notes: This heavy trailer was designed specifically for the requirements of the French Air Force, primarily for use in transporting large aircraft components and pieces of equipment.  It can, of course transport any sort of cargo.  The RM16 has drop sides and a drop tailgate which may also be removed; in addition, the front panel may also be removed.  The top of the trailer may be covered with bows and a canvas cover; the bows may be adjusted to three different heights.  The suspension is designed for hard surfaces and is not really meant for off-road use; in addition, the suspension is rather low to facilitate the loading of the trailer aboard cargo aircraft, further impairing any off-road capabilities; in addition, though the RM16 is strong, it is also very lightly built. The RM16 uses two axles and four tires, and is towed by a V-shaped towbar.

Nicolas Tank Transporter Semi-Trailers

     Notes: There are some 15 such trailers in the Nicolas line, and they are manufactured for both military and commercial concerns.  They differ primarily in size and the number of axles and wheels used, but all share the same basic design.  The trailers are presented below in pairs; the first is for a low-flatbed (about 90 centimeters to one meter) trailer that is only so-so in off-road ability, and the second is for a higher-flatbed trailer (about 1.2-1.4 meters) that is much better in off-road capability. (The STA 3.45.15, STA 100 and TST 70 MD 6/2 are exceptions to this.) They are constructed of high-strength steel and are braced by two central and two side I-beam rails welded to the body of the trailer.  The decking of the trailer ranges from 2-8 millimeters, depending upon the trailer.  The loading ramps are adjustable for the width of the vehicle being loaded, and manually-operated loading ramps or hydraulic ramps are available.  The wheels are equipped with airbrakes.  The trailers come with a toolbox containing basic tools and equipment appropriate to the securing of the vehicle to be carried, such as cables, eyebolts, nuts and heavy bolts, ropes, chains, blocks and tackles, and track guides.  Fuel and water tanks may be carried as optional accessories.

     The TST-70 MD 6/2 is slightly different from the other trailers; it has power-assisted wheels that allow it and the towing vehicle to travel more easily over rough or soft ground, or even move on its own at up to 7 kph (Com Mov 10), using a 15 kW APU, with a 12-liter fuel tank powering the APU for four hours.  The power-assist on the TST-70 MD 6/2 may be operated by remote control from the cab of the towing vehicle, or by a small driver’s position on the trailer.  This trailer has wheels on the front and back of the trailer to enable it to move on its own if necessary.

SOFRAME RF

     Notes: This trailer was specifically designed as a carrier for a large, refrigerated container.  The refrigerated space is accessed through a hinging side panel, and contains various racks and boxes into which the items to be refrigerated are loaded.  The trailer includes a small 5 kW generator to run the refrigeration equipment, and two 50-liter tanks, one for water and one for fuel for the generator.  The trailer also has removable steps to access the refrigerated area and generator.  The towing arm has a retractable wheel for use when the trailer is not being towed, and in addition, two stabilizers may be lowered at the rear of the trailer in such circumstances.  The trailer comes with a spare tire. 

SOFRAME RM19

     Notes: Designed by the then-LOHR company (later absorbed by SOFRAME), the RM19 medium flatbed trailer designed for on- and off-road use.  The RM19 has two axles, one at the front of the trailer and one at the rear, each with a heavy-duty suspension and a total of eight tires.  The RM19 is specifically designed for SOFRAME VTL trucks, but may be towed by virtually any NATO or French vehicle of the appropriate size.  Vehicles with load-handling cranes can use them to load the trailer provided the crane is located in the appropriate place on the truck and has the proper length of reach.  The RM19 may be equipped with a frame which provides side and rear rails, and may even be covered with a tarpaulin over bows. 

SOFRAME RM22 PLM

     Notes: The only known country to actually use this trailer is in fact the United States; there it is known as the M1076 trailer, and is towed behind the M1074 and M1075 10x10 PLS trucks.  The trailer is not overly large (considering the size of trucks that tow it), but has a large load-carrying capacity and is very robustly-built.  The trailer has a steerable axle at the front and two non-steering axles at the rear.  Airbrakes are provided for all three axles.  A spare tire is also provided.  The trailer is a flatbed, able to easily carry any sort of NATO-standard pallet, container, or shelter body, and has tie-down points for other types of cargo. 

SOFRAME RP 2.5

     Notes: The RP 2.5 is intended to be a modular frame upon which many sorts of cargo, tank, or shelter bodies may be mounted.  The suspension is cross-country-strong, and it can be airdropped.  The standard suspension is by leaf springs (a pneumatic suspension is optional), with hydraulic shock absorbers.  The single axle is equipped with brakes.  A spare tire is provided, along with a folding wheel for when the trailer is being towed, a toolbox (but no tools), and two folding stabilizing legs at the rear.  Optional equipment includes two side boxes, four ISO-standard corners, and a tarpaulin and bows.

SOFRAME RTC6000

     Notes: Originally designed to carry a water treatment setup, the RTC6000 is now used for that as well as carrying containers, pallets, shelters, or cargo bodies.  The trailer uses a Caterpillar Mobil-trac Suspension (MTS) which allows it considerable mobility when towed, able to match the off-road speeds of most vehicles.  The vehicle is a two-axle design with a total of four tires; rubber tracks are wrapped around the tires for more off-road mobility, though this does hurt on-road performance, slowing the towing vehicle’s road speed.  The wheels are equipped with airbrakes, and the trailer has a manual parking brake and the obligatory retractable third wheel on forward to balance the trailer when it is not being towed.  The RTC-6000 is strong enough to be airdropped.

SOFRAME SMC

     Notes: This is a family of related semi-trailer tank transporters.  Most are for use on- and off-road, but SMC70-3x2 is intended only for road and hard ground use.  The differences are in dimensions, load-carrying capacity, and a few other details, but the basic design for all are similar.  Most have loading ramps which must be lifted by hand, but the SMC60 DT has ramps which are hydraulically raised and lowered.  All have a total of eight tires on two axles, and have two spare tires under the cargo deck.  Construction is of steel, and the cargo deck has rollers and a winch cable guide to aid in loading.  The SMC60 DT is also capable of carrying conventional cargo loads, usually consisting of pallets, containers, or shelters.

SOFRAME SMC60 EM5 LT

     Notes: This is a tank-transporter semi-trailer first designed for a US competition for a new tank transporter trailer for the M1 Abrams series of tanks.  The US military passed on it, and then SOFRAME tried to sell it to the French Army as a transporter for the Leclerc tank.  It was unsuccessful at this too, but SOFRAME is still marketing the trailer and hopes for future sales.  The trailer is designed for both road use and rough terrain, and can be towed by most semi-trailers based on large cross-country trucks.  The trailer is made from a solid steel bed with bracing crossmembers and has spring-loaded loading ramps at the rear.  The trailer has four axles, each with two tires, and the rear three of these axles are steerable.  All wheels have airbrakes.  There are two retractable support members at the front of the flatbed portion of the trailer.  The standard equipment with this trailer includes four track guides and blocks, three lashing points per side of the flatbed plus two lashing points on the gooseneck, a basic tool kit with wheel wrench, three stowage boxes on either side of the flatbed plus one more on the gooseneck, a 300-liter water tank, a 300-liter fuel tank, and a spare tire,

SOFRAME SMT50D

     Notes: This is a semi-trailer toting a huge tank for the transport of fuel.  It was designed specifically for use in deserts and has good off-road characteristics.  The 50,000 liters of fuel capacity is divided into five compartments, and there is an additional compartment housing 2,000 liters of fuel to power the fuel pumps and to provide additional fuel for the towing vehicle.  The fuel pump uses a 36-horsepower motor powering a compressor.  (The motor uses 9 liters per period.) The trailer has a total of 6 fuel pumps, two of which may pump at the rate of 670 liters per minute, and four of which may pump at the rate of 250 liters per minute.  If they fail, the fuel may also be pumped manually.  A 300-liter water tank is also onboard, with a manual pump and tap. 

SOFRAME SRPB60

     Notes: This is a long, large semi-trailer designed as a tank transporter for some of the largest tanks in the world.  The trailer has a maximum possible load of 69.8 tons at 60 kph (Tr Mov 240), but this decreases to 65.38 tons if speed must be increased to 85 kph (Tr Mov 340).  The SRPB60 is designed for use on roads or hard, flat trails and has very limited off-road capability.  The trailer uses six axles and 24 tires, with the rear three axles being steerable.  All wheels have brakes.  The gooseneck is articulated, so that the load platform may remain as level as possible regardless of dips and bumps in the road.  The two rear loading ramps are hydraulically raised and lowered and may be operated by one person.  Equipment included with the trailer consists of pulleys, cable guide rollers, and a small winch to help guide the cables. 

Titan T6 R2

     Notes: The T6 R2 is a medium standard trailer with an all-steel chassis, light alloy floor, and ribbed sides, front and tailgate of light sheet steel.  The sides and the tailgate all drop, and may also be removed if necessary. The tailgate also includes a small folding ladder.  The front does not drop, but can be removed.  The floor of the trailer is equipped with an antiskid surface and has numerous tie-down points; in addition, the mounting points for the sides, front, and tailgate may also be used as tie-down points when they are removed.  The T6 R2 has airbrakes, but they use air from the towing vehicle and cannot be used if the towing vehicle does not either have airbrakes or an air compressor of some kind.  Underneath the cargo floor is a tool/stowage box and a spare tire.  The suspension of this trailer is high, but quite an off-road suspension.  Sales of the T6 R2 have been made to undisclosed countries.

Trailor 1.1-ton Cross-Country Cargo Trailer

     Notes: This is a small but robust cargo trailer sometimes called the “Africa-Type” trailer.  It is designed for use in rough terrain, and is constructed from high-strength steel reinforced with several steel cross-members.  The axle is some 90mm thick, and the wheels are fitted with airbrakes, along with heavy-duty shock absorbers.  The cargo body is likewise of high-strength steel, with droppable sides and a tailgate.  The sides are 460mm high, but may be raised with removable extensions, or bows may be added along with a tarpaulin cover.  The trailer comes with tools for changing a tire, a spare tire on the front of the cargo body, a toolbox (tools not included), a 50-liter water tank, a carrier for up to four jerry cans, and a retractable rear strut to stabilize the trailer when it is not being towed, along with a retractable front wheel.  The cargo body may also be removed and replaced by a tank body or a platform for large cargoes (most commonly a small generator in actual use).

Trailor Tank Transporter Trailers

     Notes: Trailor makes three models of tank transporter semi-trailers, with different sizes and capacities, but similar designs and performance.  They have spring-balanced rear loading ramps which are mechanically operated, two rear axles with four tires each, and airbrakes for each wheel.  The trailers are equipped with track guides, chocks, and winch cable rollers.  Construction is entirely of high-strength steel. 

Trailor Tanker Semi-Trailers

     Notes: These are semi-trailers with large tank bodies.  Each uses a steel frame and chassis with an aluminum tank.  The 30,000-liter tank has two compartments (upper and lower), while the 37,500-liter tank has five compartments (end-to-end).  The top of each tank has a non-skid walkway with handrails.  The trailers are equipped with the appropriate hoses (wound on reels) and delivery handles, but are gravity-fed and have no pumps.  The have two rear axles, with a total of eight tires; the wheels are fitted with airbrakes.