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 There’s
nothing more punishing on a truck and trailer than a New Zealand
logging track that’s been cut up by the constant wet weather
during a typical Kiwi winter – especially if the rig is riding
on leaf springs.
Not that Ivor Gainsford worries about that any more. Ten years
ago he made the switch to Intraax air suspension for his logging
trailersand he’s never looked back.
Ivor and his wife Brenda operate a small transport business in
Rotorua called I.F. and B.E. Gainsford Ltd with two trucks, a
Kenworth and an Isuzu, hauling logs around the central north
island.
Both trucks spend a lot of time on forestry trails, with the
Kenworth operating 24-hours, and Ivor initially decided to try
air suspension to ease the punishment on his first trailer and
also reduce the tare weight. The difference was surprising.
“The first time we took off with the trailer behind it felt like
there was nothing on the back - no jarring, it was bloody
marvellous,” says Ivor.
The smoother ride has been great for the trucks and trailers,
with less wear and tear, particularly on the couplings, and for
driver comfort and safety. Ivor says the drivers feel less tired
and stressed after a long shift behind the wheel.
And as for handling those winter conditions, the Hendrickson air
suspension units not only smooth over the potholes and
wash-outs, they also provide extra traction on slippery tracks,
helping to keep the tyres in contact with the surface.
 Although
no longer in their ownership, the Gainsford’s first trailer is
still in operation within the owner-operator group that Ivor and
his wife belong to. Others in the group have also started to
convert to Intraax integrated air ride suspension. Ivor says
that two owner operators who are very tare weight-conscious are
among the recently converted, having been swayed by the fact
that four Hendrickson air springs weigh about the same as a
single steel leaf spring.
The Gainsfords have just put their fourth trailer on the road
fitted with Intraax air springs. Like the others, this one is
also a Patchell, which Ivor prefers for their low height and
excellent stability.
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