In heavy transport workshops one decision comes before any purchase: is the tractor coated together with its trailer in one cycle, or in two? The answer changes chamber size and running time together.
Tractor unit refinishing is delivered either way inside the published range. The difference is that one route needs a length holding the full combination, and the other needs two shorter cycles.
What decides the route
Three factors, none of them about the booth itself: vehicles per day, how long uncoupling and recoupling takes at your site, and the manoeuvring space available inside the bay.
The arithmetic is simple at heart. A longer chamber is capital cost paid once; uncoupling is running cost paid on every vehicle.
| Route | What it requires | Where it fits |
|---|---|---|
| One cycle, full combination | Internal length holding the whole train | High daily counts and long uncoupling time |
| Two separate cycles | Shorter length, two cycles per vehicle | Limited space and lower daily counts |
| Mixed route | A mid size and a decision per vehicle | Workshops taking varied lengths |
Approved length comes from the longest combination
Whichever route is chosen, the figure that enters the specification is the overall length of the longest combination that actually comes in — not its average. The delivered range in this family runs from 3,000 to 24,000 mm.
The door follows the same figure, and its published range reaches 14,200 × 5,000 mm with powered actuation on large builds, because a door that size cannot be handled manually in a daily operating cycle.
Frequently asked questions
Does the heat curve differ between tractor and trailer?
The heat curve is set to the finishing material, not to the body. If the material is the same the curve is the same; what differs is cycle time, because the coated area differs.
Do I need higher air capacity for the full combination?
Yes, because the chamber grows and its airflow and heat demand rise with it. The published range reaches 190,000 m³/h and 600,000 kcal/h on large builds.
What do I send so the better route is clear?
The longest combination taken in, vehicles per day, and the bay layout with column and entrance positions. Those three show which route costs less over the life of the operation.
Related reading
- Chamber length with trailer
- Truck box body coating
- Turning radius and workshop access
- Qualification before specification
What to do next
Send the longest combination you take in, vehicles per day and the bay layout, and we will return a comparison of both routes built on your figures. talk to a specialist. Sector detail is on the Trucks & RV sector page.