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| The Thule Flexiline, a long trailer specially designed for transporting snow scooters and ATVs. |
Thule Trailers is part of Thule AB’s Trailer division, Europe’s largest maker of car trailers.
Well-known trademarks
Many of the best known and respected trademarks such as Fogelsta, Trane, Gisebo, Brenderup and Thule are part of Thule Trailers. For nearly seven decades considerable knowledge and experience has been accumulated under this name. The company makes trailers for both private and professional users as well as horseboxes and boat trailers with a maximum length of 6.5 metres long and for total weights up to 3,500 kg. The range also includes accessories like covers, gates and ramps.
The standard trailers in the range can be customised for all requirements and applications which, taking into account the standard range and accessories, results in upwards of 400 models.
Same basic construction
The Thule Group has some 4,000 employees at its 30 or so factories and sales outlets in all the major car markets in Europe, North America, Asia and Africa. Of the five factories, two are in Sweden at Jönköping and Bromölla. Apart from manufacturing and sales for the Scandinavian markets, the former is also involved in development work.
“On the whole, the various trailer models have the same basic design irrespective of the make even if there are some differences,” explains Sven-Owe Jonsson, sales and marketing manager at Thule Trailers AB. “Using a variety of accessories, the trailers can be adapted to meet all requirements.”
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| The Thule Flexiline, a 5.5 metre long narrow trailer that can be tipped which together with a ramp means the vehicle can be driven onto the trailer |
Long trailer for snow scooters
Thule recently launched a long trailer made of aluminium specially designed for the transport of snow scooters and all-terrain vehicles. The development work has consequently followed a somewhat different path than that used for trailers that have traditionally been made from galvanised steel.
“We were looking for a new approach and had established other aims for weight, the environment and design in this project,” says Håkan Tapper, development manager at Thule Trailers AB. “Aluminium extrusions have provided the opportunity to combine built-in functions with weight savings and a superior design.”
The reason for developing the new trailer is the identification of a new market segment for the transport of small machines such as ATVs with trailer or snow scooters with sledge. The result is the Thule Flexiline, a 5.5 metre long trailer that can be tipped which together with a ramp means the vehicle can be driven onto the trailer. A running board on the side of the trailer makes it easy to get on and off of the vehicle as well as to load and secure its cargo.
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| A section of the platform with side flap extrusions and floor beams. Joining is mainly done with screws and bolts. |
Multifunctional extrusions
Some ten extrusions are used in the Flexiline. Detailed development work means that most of the extrusions are multifunctional and easy to join. The side flaps have tracks for the flexible fastening of eye hooks, back flaps have flaps for recessed lighting and several of the extrusions have tracks for concealing and protecting cabling. Optimising the weight means that the trailer is easy to manoeuvre by hand despite its size. Using extrusions also makes it easy to adjust the length and width at the production stage.
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| Working together on the new Thule Flexiline; from left Sven Ahlbäck – Hydro Aluminium Profiler with Sven-Owe Jonsson and Håkan Thapper – Thule Trailers AB |
Endurance tests
The development work has taken place in close cooperation with Hydro Aluminium Profiler who have assisted with things like extrusion design and statistical calculations.
“The trailer has undergone endurance tests on our own test track and is now available on the market,” says Sven-Owe Jonsson. “We are extremely pleased with Flexiline! A successful design and an attractive trailer.”
The experiences gained during the development work with aluminium extrusions can well be repeated according to Håkan Thapper. “The design now makes it possible for us to look at other applications for aluminium extrusions in the future!”
Extrusion technology which as a result definitely will not trail behind!
