Manitowoc HUPM28-22

It is 13,380 mm long and 2,450 mm wide. With an unladen weight of 20,800 kg against the 21,000 kg gross weight, payload works out to 200 kg. The wheelbase is 10,950 mm. The load is carried on 8 wheels. Its design top speed is 80 km/h, below the usual 100 km/h for trailers.

Trailers in this class run in commercial long-distance haulage and are built for air brakes, axle-load distribution and usually ABS. Multi-axle versions spread the high gross weight over more contact points, easing the load on road surface, axles and tyres. A payload this small relative to the unladen weight is typical of trailers that carry heavy fixed equipment themselves, such as counterweights or work platforms, rather than loose cargo. With 8 wheels, the axle load at this gross weight is spread across several axles, as road-approval rules require. In Germany it is subject to a roadworthiness inspection every year.

A used-trailer check should cover the brake system (pads or drums, and on air brakes also the lines, coupling heads and the ABS valve), the condition of the axles and suspension (bearing play, cracks in leaf springs or air bellows) and the frame, especially corrosion on cross members and welds. On top of that comes the load floor or body for wear and tightness, the lighting and electrical connector to the towing vehicle, and even tyre wear across all 8 wheels. The underride guard and the frame's longitudinal members should be free of rust-through, especially around the axle mounts. The tow ball coupling or drawbar eye and the drawbar itself belong in the check too, inspected for play and cracks at the attachment points.