As trailers become more technologically complex, so too does the effort required to maintain them. A trailer manufacturer’s job is not done once its builds are sold to transport operators – they instead continue to help with aftersales service which cover a plethora of issues.
These challenges can include customers needing to identify specific components on their trailers, retrieve manuals for parts, losing USB drives with relevant data and more. For many OEMs, finding answers to these questions is not always straightforward.
This is certainly the case with Bulk Transport Equipment (BTE), a trailer builder which has provided the market with a variety of equipment for close to 20 years. BTE Queensland Branch Manager, Adrian Gordon, says many of its callers are operators who have already bought trailers and are seeking basic component information on them.
“Customers are always contacting us to find out what kind of airbags or shock absorbers have been fitted onto the trailers we’ve built for them,” he says. “Depending on the customer or the request, finding this information can take more than half an hour of sifting through records. Getting the information to them is fundamental, but it takes time away from our other operations.”
Trailer Spec Pro has developed a real solution for this inefficiency in the form of its patent-pending BuildTag product, a solution which gives semi-trailers a VIN-specific digital identity through a QR-based system. The BuildTags can provide immediate access to important unit diagnostics such as a trailer’s manuals, drawings, spec sheets, permits, axle details and key component numbers which can be viewed online.
The trailer’s profile can also be updated by the manufacturer at any time, eliminating the risk of sharing outdated information with the operator. This is particularly critical as mechanics will be able to easily access correct installation details and safety guidelines when fitting parts. By sharing these details through the cloud, long and inefficient communication between the manufacturer and operator is greatly reduced.
BTE is one of several manufacturers that have invested in the Trailer Spec Pro innovation. The trailer builder has been fitting BuildTags on all new equipment as standard over the past three months.
In addition to new builds, BTE is also working with a long-term fleet customer to retrofit BuildTags on trailers built over previous years. This allows existing equipment to gain the same VIN-specific digital identity as new trailers, giving operators consistent access to component information across mixed-age fleets.
According to Adrian, even older trailers can now be supported with accurate, up-to-date information, delivering immediate time savings for both operators and the manufacturer. He himself has seen BuildTags provide customers with a full digital identity, significant time savings and increased maintenance accuracy.
“If operators can scan their own codes to find the information they need, we can become much more available to continue our manufacturing or assist customers with other pressing issues,” he explains. “And, if the customers can’t scan their QR codes in person, we can send a photo of it to them, which they can also scan to find what they’re looking for.”
Adrian says incorporating Trailer Spec Pro BuildTags into BTE’s production process has been effortless.
“We can implement the BuildTags with minimal effort,” he says. “We physically fit them during trailer production and then provide Trailer Spec Pro with the trailer VIN and component details. From there, they establish the trailer’s profile in the cloud to receive uploads going forward.”
BTE looks forward to seeing other manufacturers adopt Trailer Spec Pro’s solution based on its experience with the innovation so far.
“We’re eagerly waiting for the operational benefits to kick in once the product has had enough time on our builds,” Adrian says. “Trailer Spec Pro’s BuildTags are a small change that will have a big impact on fleets. They keep the right information on a trailer for its entire life, and that’s something the industry has needed for a long time.”
