TransWorld launches VHH system

Las Vegas, USA-based TransWorld Manufacturing Company has completed the manufacture and prototype testing of a platform version of its Legal Width Hydrogas Hauling System, known as the VHH System.

The VHH System has fifth wheel steering actuation, all-axle steer, hydrogas suspension, and North American axle spacings for optimum legal width hauling throughout the United States, in both the laden and unladen conditions.

The VHH System also has North American components to further reduce component lead times and pricing, according to the company. TransWorld has already patented one feature of the VHH System, and several other features are patent pending, it says.

TransWorld is a division of Jake's Crane, and is led by Bob Dieleman and Jim McGhie. Through the years, Jake's Crane has developed products in the crane and specialized transport sectors, including the SL 400 lattice boom truck crane and the JXS hauling system.

"Bob Dieleman decided to start TransWorld Manufacturing Company to serve what he believes is market need for over the road hydrogas hauling systems and other specialty crane accessories such as boom dollies, portal gantry cranes, etc.," said McGhie. "We see an analogous evolution taking place with trailers similar to that seen with the transition from standard truck cranes to all terrain cranes."

Dieleman and McGhie's ultimate goal was to develop an 8 foot 6 inch (2.59 m) wide system that would allow high speed travel, unladen, without a permit, but still offer the performance benefits seen in a hydrogas system, including load equalization and longer axle spacing. The gross trailer weight of the VHH-3 is 28,060 pounds (12.7 tonnes) and the gross trailer weight of the VHH-6 is 35,700 pounds (16.2 tonnes).

The axle capacity of the VHH-3 is 75,000 pounds (34 tonnes) and the axle capacity of the VHH-6 is 150,000 pounds (68 tonnes). The two models can carry a payload of 95,000 (43 tonnes) and 165,000 pounds (75 tonnes), respectively.

TransWorld has developed, prototyped and patented (with other patents pending) a three- and six-axle platform version of the VHH Hauling System.

McGhie said that, to the best of his knowledge, TransWorld is the first US manufacturer to offer this type of legal width hydrogas trailer.