Recently, we welcomed the team from Van der Vlist for a detailed instruction session about their latest achievement: a 2+7 CombiMAX trailer specially designed for transporting railway vehicles. This trailer is equipped with numerous high-tech features and is the result of perfect collaboration between manufacturer and end customer.
The front bogie is equipped with two pendle-axles type PA-X, allowing a minimum loading height of 790 millimetres, 600 millimetres stroke and a 60-degree steering angle for optimum manoeuvrability of the truck–trailer combination’s front section. The following 7-axle platform is fitted with cranked axles, a common solution when transporting particularly long trams of up to 50 metres in overall length. By using cranked axles, the loading height in driving position is reduced to 740 millimetres. The loading platform is adapted to the required length with robust extension beams, which can be installed or removed without forklifts or cranes thanks to sophisticated devices.
An adjustable steering system with hydraulic counter-steering ensures perfect coordination between the trailer sections with pendle-axles and cranked axles, even in an extended combination. For rail transport, the loading platform is fitted with bolted and movable rails and a rail ramp developed by Faymonville with a minimal gradient angle of just 1.7 degrees. To adapt to the length of different rail vehicles, the extension section features hook-in rails and sliding tables. The rail ramp can also be used as a loading platform with a load-bearing capacity up to 20 tonnes.
Van der Vlist is a family-owned company established in 1930 and a heavyweight specialist in exceptional transport, offering complete logistics services from multiple locations across Europe. The CombiMAX’s first mission was the transport of a 40-metre-long tram weighing 65 tonnes. We thank the Van der Vlist team for their trust in our know-how – it was a pleasure to develop this fantastic trailer solution together!
Publication: 08/2025