Tesco has introduced its first temperature-controlled drawbar vehicle, fitted with Carrier Transicold Supra truck refrigeration technology, to boost the efficiency of express store deliveries.
The retailer's express stores are typically located in residential or built-up areas, making it difficult for tractor units with 13.6m trailers to deliver.
The flexibility of an 18.75m drawbar combination vehicle, with a Mercedes-Benz Antos prime mover, means the truck can now reach express stores more easily and with a larger payload than a rigid truck operating alone, reducing road miles.
The drawbar can also carry 48 standard roll cages – three more than the standard trailer.
The drawbar vehicle, designed by Wheelbase Engineering, has been fitted with Carrier Transicold's Supra 1150UMT (multi-temperature) undermount unit.
It has two remote evaporators recessed into the trailer's ceiling to ensure a safe walk-through environment for operators.
The forward compartment relies on a Supra 850 MT unit to maintain the set point inside its Solomon bodywork.
"With the help of Carrier Transicold UK we've been able to come up with a solution that really hits the mark," says a Tesco spokesperson.
Carrier Transicold supported the delivery with a training programme for Tesco's driver trainers.
