ISTRAIL CONFIGURATOR W W W . I S T R A I L . C O M INDUSTRY Product configurator – a new tool for ISTRAIL customers TECHNOLOGY How Hardox steel is transforming the face of truck chassis bodies FEATURED PRODUCT Tipper bodies 04/2025(04)
02 Publisher: ISTRAIL sp. z o.o. ul. PTTK 56 87-400 Golub-Dobrzyń kontakt@istrail.pl Edition and typesetting: Feniks Media Group ul. Balicka 136, 30-149 Kraków Authors: Ewa Koczwara, Piotr Kołaczek, Agnieszka Szmuc, Radosław Urban The news magazine uses images from the Getty Images library and from the archives of ISTRAIL sp. z o.o. INDUSTRY 04 Multifunctional bodies 08 Product configurator – a new tool for ISTRAIL customers TECHNOLOGY 06 How Hardox steel is transforming the face of truck chassis bodies Table of contents PRODUCTS 10 Central axle platform trailer 12 Special semi-trailers for machinery transport FEATURED PRODUCT 14 Tipper bodies 06 04 14
03 We are pleased to present to you the latest issue of ISTRAIL News. In this edition, we aim to demonstrate how cutting-edge technologies, advanced materials, and innovative design solutions translate into tangible benefits in the day-to-day operations of transport, construction, and municipal service companies. We begin with the topic of interchangeable bodies, which open up new possibilities in fleet utilization. With this solution, a single chassis can serve multiple purposes — from transporting aggregates and asphalt to handling containers or operating as a tractor unit. This flexibility helps reduce investment and maintenance costs while ensuring maximum utilization of each vehicle. In our technology section, we take a closer look at Hardox steel — a material that has revolutionized the construction of truck body structures. Its exceptional durability enables the use of lighter yet stronger designs, resulting in increased payload capacity, reduced fuel consumption, and significantly extended vehicle service life. We also introduce a brand-new online tool: the product configurator available at www.istrail.pl This intuitive solution makes it easy to tailor trailer, semi-trailer, and body specifications to the specific requirements of your operations. With just a few clicks, you can select the number of axles, suspension type, body design, and optional equipment — and then submit the configuration for further collaboration. This way, you can actively participate in the creation of a product perfectly suited to your needs. In the product section, we present solutions that combine practicality with innovation: • The TN-149 central-axle flatbed trailer, ideal for transporting pallets, construction materials, and machinery. • Specialized lowbed semi-trailers for hauling large construction machinery, engineered to perform reliably even in the most demanding conditions. • Tipping bodies, one of the most versatile and dependable types of truck bodies, widely used in construction, roadworks, mining, agriculture, and municipal services. Each solution featured in this issue is designed to enable faster, more efficient, and safer operations. At Istrail, we believe that modern technology and an individual approach to user requirements are key to success, that is why our products not only meet current market challenges but also anticipate future needs. We invite you to read on and get inspired! Sincerely, Dariusz Gębarowski Chief Executive Officer ISTRAIL sp. z o.o. The Istrail product configurator, available at www.istrail.pl, enables you to customize trailer, semi- -trailer, or body specifications to match your operational requirements in just a few steps. This user-friendly tool saves time, streamlines the ordering process, and gives you full control over equipment customization. Dear Readers,
04 Instances of replacing a permanently mounted body are rare and usually occur when a vehicle with a heavily worn body is resold. The new owner may decide to change the vehicle’s intended use, which involves additional costs but is often a highly effective solution. This traditional approach to truck body installation naturally has both advantages and disadvantages. On the plus side, the body is perfectly matched to the chassis and securely mounted, ensuring Multifunctional bodies The traditional way of adapting a truck for specific tasks is to order a chassis with parameters optimized for a defined application and then equip it with a dedicated specialist body. The body manufacturer customizes the body to fit the chassis, installs it, carries out testing, and delivers the vehicle to the customer. From that point on, the vehicle’s purpose typically remains unchanged until it is retired from service. INDUSTRY durability and resistance to environmental impacts and wear. The main drawback is that the vehicle becomes permanently dedicated to performing a specific task — often a highly specialized one. As a result, a company must purchase a separate truck for each different type of operation. Over time, this approach can lead to a significantly expanded fleet, even though many vehicles are used only occasionally or operate far below their optimal capacity. Since vehicle aging and depreciation depend not only on mileage and technical condition but also on the production year and first registration date, the owner must accept a level of financial loss that is not offset by revenue generation. At Istrail, we treat every customer individually and respond promptly to their requirements and feedback, as we fully understand that the customer knows best what they need. They are the ones performing the transport work and therefore in the best position to identify what can be improved, refined, or optimized.
05 INDUSTRY This challenge is particularly significant for small businesses. Owning multiple vehicles, some of which are not fully utilized, generates substantial ongoing costs, including mandatory insurance premiums, periodic technical inspections, scheduled maintenance, servicing, and the replacement of operating fluids. The potential to resell underutilized vehicles can partially offset these losses but does not eliminate them entirely. Interchangeable bodies For many vehicle users, interchangeable bodies offer a significantly better solution. In this case, the user orders a chassis with parameters optimized for performing multiple types of tasks. The chassis is then delivered to the body manufacturer, who installs a universal mounting system that allows different types of bodies to be attached and detached safely and efficiently. With this approach, the user pays for a single chassis and adapts it only once to work with a family of interchangeable bodies. A set of bodies tailored to all operational needs can then be ordered from the manufacturer. These may include, for example: • tipper bodies, • platform bodies, • container transport bodies, • asphalt transport bodies. This is an ideal solution for service companies operating across multiple sectors as well as for municipal service providers. Combi body – one vehicle, two functions Various types of modular bodies are available on the market. A prime example of such a solution is the Combi body manufactured by Istrail: https:// istrail.pl/konfigurator/combi/. The Combi body combines the functions of a tipper and a tractor unit, offering exceptional versatility and flexibility. It is equipped with a dedicated quick-release system for both the tipper body and the tipping cylinder, enabling rapid reconfiguration of the vehicle. This means a tipper truck can be quickly and easily transformed into a tractor unit ready to work with various types of semi-trailers. Combi bodies are the perfect solution for companies that value cost efficiency and the ability to adapt dynamically to changing market demands. At Istrail, we go to great lengths to ensure that every component of our modular bodies is safe, durable, and resistant to harsh working conditions. By applying advanced technologies, adhering to stringent production standards, and implementing rigorous quality control processes, we deliver products with a long service life and industry-leading performance parameters — including load capacity, abrasion resistance, and resistance to challenging operating environments. Customer - centric approach At Istrail, we treat every customer individually and respond promptly to their requirements and feedback, as we fully understand that the customer knows best what they need. They are the ones performing the transport work and are therefore in the best position to identify what can be improved, refined, or optimized. In the initial phase of cooperation, we listen carefully to the customer and analyze the information provided. The second phase involves proposing specific solutions based on this needs analysis. We then develop a project, present it to the customer, and incorporate any necessary adjustments, continuously tailoring the final design to meet the customer’s expectations. Thanks to our extensive experience, we are able to select solutions that meet all functional and operational requirements. The result is a top-quality product precisely tailored to the customer’s needs. We understand that every project is different and requires a unique approach — one that fully considers the specific requirements of each customer and their needs regarding truck bodies, trailers, and semi-trailers. In the initial phase of cooperation, we listen carefully to the customer and analyze the information provided. The second phase involves proposing specific solutions based on this needs analysis. We then develop a project, present it to the customer, and incorporate any necessary adjustments, continuously tailoring the final design to meet the customer’s expectations. Thanks to our extensive experience, we are able to select solutions that meet all requirements. The result is a top-quality product precisely tailored to the customer’s needs.
Hardox steel is an innovative, extremely durable material that proves to be an ideal solution for vehicles designed for the transport of heavy aggregates, demolition debris, or scrap metal. It is no coincidence that Istrail uses it extensively in its bodywork designs. Hardox is the world’s leading brand of abrasionresistant (AR) steel, produced by the Swedish metallurgical group SSAB. Its history dates back to 1974, when SSAB launched the world’s first flexible wear plate under the complex name “OX AR 360 S” — a material that could be easily cut, bent, and welded. The key feature that distinguishes Hardox from other materials is its hardness throughout the entire thickness of the plate — from the surface to the core. The quenching and tempering process ensures a uniform structure and consistent properties across the entire cross-section, resulting in even wear at every point. The unique properties of this steel make it a strategic response to the evolving demands of the heavy transport industry. This sector faces numerous challenges, the most significant of which include rising operational costs, the pressure to maximize payload capacity, and the need to extend vehicle service life in order to increase return on investment. How Hardox steel is transforming truck chassis superstructures 06 TECHNOLOGY Unique combination of hardness and toughness Hardox is available in a wide range of hardness levels, from 400 to 600 HBW (Hardness Brinell Wolframcarbid), and even in the Hardox Extreme variant. Its high hardness means that abrasive materials such as gravel, stones, or scrap cannot easily scratch or deform the surface. Moreover, unlike most hard materials, which are typically brittle, Hardox retains exceptional impact toughness — even at extremely low temperatures (-20 °C and -40 °C). This property is crucial in applications where impact wear occurs, such as during the transport of rubble or stones, as it minimizes the risk of structural cracking. Hardox also exhibits very high values of tensile strength (Rm) and yield strength (Re). In practice, this allows for the design and manufacture of lighter yet stiffer structures.
07 TECHNOLOGY Hardox – a sum of advantages The choice of Hardox steel for vehicle components translates into tangible financial savings, especially over the long term. Most importantly: the extreme wear resistance of components made from this material significantly extends their service life, thereby minimizing the need for frequent repairs and maintenance. This results in lower servicing costs, reduced downtime, and optimized operating time. The high strength of Hardox also allows manufacturers to use thinner plates without compromising structural durability or rigidity. This property enables a significant reduction in the vehicle’s tare weight, which directly translates into increased payload capacity — a crucial advantage in the transport of heavy loads such as aggregates, scrap, or demolition waste. Reducing the vehicle’s weight offers several key benefits: • Increased payload capacity means more material can be transported per trip, directly boosting revenue. • A lighter vehicle consumes less fuel, reducing operating costs and contributing to lower CO2 emissions, which benefits the environment. Hardox in Istrail constructions Aware of the exceptional properties of Hardox steel, Istrail’s design engineers readily incorporate it into their constructions. For example, cargo bodies in central-axle tipping trailers of the TN-144 type and the SA-28 tipping semitrailer are made from HB 450 or HB 500 steel. The manufacturer emphasizes that this choice makes the bodies not only extremely durable but also lighter than comparable designs made from other grades of steel — directly resulting in higher payload capacity. Istrail has also utilized Hardox in “half-pipe” type asphalt tipping bodies and in mining dump bodies available on 3-, 4-, and 5-axle chassis. Furthermore, the company has implemented an innovative solution in aluminum tipping bodies, where there is an optional additional 3 mm HB 450 steel wear plate mounted on the cargo floor for extra protection. Each time Hardox steel is used in Istrail constructions, it leads to longer service life, higher structural strength, reduced maintenance costs, and easier resale due to lower overall wear. Hardox – the next stage of implementation Istrail has already combined Hardox steel with aluminum in the aforementioned aluminum tipping body design. In the future, more such hybrid solutions will emerge. New generations of Hardox steel will also be able to integrate with advanced composite materials, further reducing the overall weight of the structures. As a proven supplier of innovative transport solutions, Istrail will undoubtedly be among the first companies to adopt these next-generation technologies.
We have now taken another important step to make the initial stage of matching our superstructures to customer needs easier – we have launched the ISTRAIL product configurator on our website. This tool is our response to the continuously growing demands of the transport industry and the result of countless conversations with our customers. It is from them that we receive the valuable feedback we later use in the design and production of our truck bodies, The core principle guiding ISTRAIL is complete customer satisfaction and full adaptation of our products to the client’s transport requirements. While there are many companies on the market manufacturing truck superstructures, few listen to their customers as closely as ISTRAIL does and go to such lengths to ensure the final product meets every expectation. At ISTRAIL, customization is not just a slogan – it is our everyday practice and our way of doing business. 08 INDUSTRY Product configurator A new tool for ISTRAIL customers trailers, and semitrailers. Thanks to this input, the final product leaving our production facility in Golub-Dobrzyń is truly tailored to specific needs. Because at ISTRAIL, we do not produce for everyone – we produce for YOU. Designed with our customers in mind The Product Configurator, now available on our website www. istrail.pl, is a tool developed specifically with our customers in mind. It is designed to support the first stage of cooperation and streamline the ordering process for truck Scan the QR code to go to the configurator
09 INDUSTRY The product configurator, now available on our website www.istrail.pl, is a tool we have developed specifically for our customers. It supports the initial stage of cooperation and the ordering process for truck body superstructures, trailers, and semitrailers. This solution has been designed and implemented to offer practical support for all businesses that need equipment tailored to the specific requirements of their operations. Cargo space length, number of axles, suspension type, material type, coupling system, tipping cylinder type (and operating speed), body type, side wall opening mechanism, and additional equipment – each of these parameters can make a driver’s work more comfortable and more efficient. And a satisfied driver means more completed transport orders and happier customers for the transport company. body superstructures, trailers, and semitrailers. The solution has been conceived, designed, and implemented to provide practical support for all companies that require equipment tailored to the specific nature of their operations. Customization within reach The daily work of carriers and transport companies clearly shows that standard solutions are not always sufficient. Companies increasingly recognize that a poorly matched, standard truck body, trailer, or semitrailer often leads, in the long term, to: • driver fatigue due to the need for excessive manual work, • extended loading and unloading times, • reduced operational efficiency, • fewer completed transport orders due to inefficient use of driver working hours, • delays in order fulfillment. All of the above factors ultimately have a negative impact on the company’s financial performance.That is why at ISTRAIL, we focus on customization – this is our competitive advantage. We are committed to an approach and solutions tailored precisely to the needs of our customers.
10 Are you looking for a trailer ideal for transporting palletized goods, large or long components, or small machinery? Discover the TN-149 single-axle platform trailer from ISTRAIL. It is available in two- or three-axle versions, depending on transport requirements. Its rich standard equipment and extensive customization options make this trailer highly popular and suitable for a wide range of transport sectors. platform trailer Single-axle PRODUCTS The TN-149 trailer is equipped with: • twin wheels: 265/70R 19.5 on steel rims, • tire pressure monitoring system, • plastic mudguards, • lighting compliant with regulations (Hella brand), • foldable support leg, • rigid drawbar, • anti-rollback protection made of steel, • VBG 14-pin connector, EBS and Duomatic, • Wabco EBS braking system. Typical applications of the TN-149 trailer: • transport of small palletized loads, • transport of small machinery, • agricultural transport, • transport of construction materials, • transport of building materials, • warehouse transport, • transport of residential modules/living containers, • transport of industrial installation/equipment components, • transport of certain types of waste.
11 PRODUCTS Within the configuration, the customer can choose: • number of axles (2, 3), • axle manufacturer (SAF, BPW), • type of rims (steel, aluminum), • lighting type (Hella, Aspöc, Jokon), • type of mudguards (aluminum, stainless steel), • sideboards, • additional equipment (hooks, spring- loaded support leg, aluminum bumper, rearview camera, P-light parking battery, ADR, aluminum ramps, drum brakes, ramp storage box, extra tool box, Kinnegrip K5, Kinnegrip K20), • optional two-color chassis painting. Scan the QR code to configure your single-axle platform trailer. Standard features include: • frame color Scania: 1346692 (grey), • wheels: 265/70R 19.5 on steel rims, • PVC mudguards, • foldable support leg, • 9-ton axles, • disc brakes, • ramp mountings, • pneumatically locked drawbar, • Aspöc combination lights, • tool box, • 10-ton cargo securing points, • Omega floor, 27 mm thick, • slots for rods on the front wall.
12 ISTRAIL special trailers designed for transporting machinery types NN, JU, and M are available in a wide range of configurations: single-, double-, triple-, quadruple-, and five-axle versions. Their construction is tailored to meet specific transport requirements. All special trailers are built to operate under the most demanding conditions and are designed for intensive use. machinery transport Special trailers for These vehicles are usually engineered to meet the unique requirements of the customer, taking into account the nature of the work and the road conditions at the operating location. The design and equipment of machinery transport trailers often exceed the limits defined by standard vehicle homologation regulations. As a result, they are registered as special-purpose vehicles. Applications, GVW, and tractor compatibility Special trailers are most commonly used for transporting large construction machinery, such as excavators, backhoe loaders, and rock crushers. The trailer deck is typically made of hard wood or steel plating. The permissible gross vehicle weight (GVW) for these trailers can reach up to 100 tons for the five-axle version. Trailers are designed to work with three-, four-, and five-axle semi-trailer tractors, which often require technical adaptation to handle a vertical coupling load of up to 40 tons. PRODUCTS Need more information about ISTRAIL special trailers for machinery transport? Scan the QR code and fill out the form, and one of our specialists will contact you.
13 PRODUCTS Standard equipment for special machinery trailers includes: • 2- or 3.5-inch kingpin (sometimes with hydraulic sliding system to adjust the trailer to the specific tractor and optimize load distribution between tractor and trailer axles), • pneumatic or hydraulic suspension (sometimes mechanical), • SAF, BPW, or Gigant axles, • twin wheels (most common) in various sizes (19.5’’ / 17.5’’) with steel or aluminum rims, • hydraulic ramps at the rear for driving machinery onto the trailer deck, • hydraulic deck extensions, increasing deck width up to 3 m, • mechanical or hydraulic trailer widening, allowing increased deck length while adjusting load distribution between tractor and trailer axles, • a full range of load-securing points and fixtures built into the deck and frame, • ISO container securing points, • aluminum sideboards. Popular optional equipment: • additional axle steering systems, improving turning performance and enabling operation in narrow roads and tight corners during heavy-duty work.
Scan the QR code to configure your tipper superstructures. 14 One of the most popular types of truck superstructures is the classic tipper body – an extremely versatile vehicle with a wide range of applications. Tipper truck bodies are particularly effective in sectors where there is a need to transport and quickly unload bulk or heavy materials. superstructures Tipper truck Standard equipment for ISTRAIL tipper superstructures includes: • cargo body color: 9006, • aluminum mudguards, • metallized cargo bed underside, • wear-resistant steel cargo body (HB 450, HB 500), • tipping system, • VBG coupling system. Within the configurator, the customer can choose: • number of axles (3 or 4), • type of body (hydraulic, standard, with steel or aluminum tailgate, asphalt body), • type of sideboard (hydraulic, manual, aluminum), • snow removal system, • cargo body heating option, • additional equipment (PVC, aluminum, or stainless-steel mudguards, tool box, full cargo body metallization, two-color cargo body painting, tread plate on aluminum components, vibrator, reversing alarm). FEATURED PRODUCT
15 FEATURED PRODUCT Examples of industries where tipper truck superstructures are used: Construction industry: • transport of sand, gravel, aggregates, soil, rubble, • removal of construction waste, • earthworks and roadworks. Road construction and maintenance: • transport of bituminous mixtures (asphalt), • transport of road base materials, • loading and unloading materials for road repairs. Mining, extractive industries, and tunneling: • transport of extracted materials such as coal, gravel, stone, • transport of stone during tunneling operations (a very common application, especially in Norway), • transport of heavy materials. Agriculture: • transport of grain, silage, fertilizers, soil, • transport of other materials that do not require additional unloading equipment. Municipal services and recycling: • transport of organic waste, • transport of rubble, • transport of other types of waste – especially heavy fractions. Heavy industry: • internal transport of large quantities of materials within industrial plants, • support for internal logistics processes. Tipper truck superstructures are indispensable wherever: • fast loading and unloading is required, • the vehicle must withstand harsh operating conditions, • efficient transport of bulk materials is critical.
www.istrail.pl www.facebook.com/Istrail.Polska www.linkedin.com/company/istrail WWW.ISTRAIL.PL/EN/* CONFIGURE YOUR VEHICLE ON Choose the number of axles Choose the material for the sideboard Choose the type of mudguards Decide whether you want to equip the vehicle with a snow system Decide whether the body should be heated and metallized Choose additional equipment * Equipment options depend on the type of vehicle. For details, please contact an ISTRAIL representative. Scan the QR code to go to the configurator Nordre Kullerød 17 3241 Sandefjord tel. +47 35 94 87 50 istrail@istrail.com ISTRAIL AS
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