I'm intrigued by reports that Iveco wants to plough its own uniquely Italian furrow when it comes to longer heavier vehicles or LHVs as they've become known. Amongst those EU states interested in adopting LHVs the push is towards a Scandinavian 25.25m long model (if not also the Scandinavian 60-tonnes gross combination weight limit that goes with a 25.25m long rig). The Dutch have already successfully trialled a number of 25.25m rigs while the Germans are said to be close to following with their own on-road experiments. However, according to a report in Motor Transport, at the recent IAA show Iveco declared it preferred  an overall LHV length of 26.5m and, more significantly, it wants artics to go up to 18m based around a 15m semi-trailer? Whuh? Where's that come from?

Well I think I can help you with the second bit. Regular Biglorryblog readers will recall that the Germans (why is it always the Dutch or the Germans trying out LHVs, never the British?) have approved a six-year trial for local operators to run artic trials with 300 'Big-Maxx' type semi-trailers which measure 14.9m long and can carry 37 Euro-pallets compared to the normal 33. Of course it means the rig is over the normal 16.5m EU artic limit (it's 17.8m to precise so maybe that's what Iveco is talking about when it says it wants '15m' semitrailers on '18m' long artics.) If so then BLB can see the advantages of running a 14.9/15m long trailer in terms of extra volume. But what I can't quite see is the 'modularity' of such a rig in terms of the interchangeability of a 48.8ft long trailer when it comes to hauling swap bodies and containers.

Likewise where does a 26.5m long LHV sit in the great modular world----unless you're giving the extra metre to the driver so he has some real living space in his truck? And yes Biglorryblog makes no apology in returning to his favourite hobby horse of keeping trailer lengths the same but allowing longer tractors like Scania's Longline (pictured above) within an  increased overall EU artic length. Why do we always spend so much time talking about more space for freight--and never drivers?

Meanwhile, perhaps some of BLB's modular experts can provide the answer as to the advantage of a 26.5m long LHV or an 18m artic? I await your posts with interest...