Special Transport & trailer ownership (discussion & suggestions)

[dahaka]

So about two months ago, I quit from driving a refrigerated truck, and I'm now working for a company mainly doing special transport, with low loaders and flatbeds. What I'm going to try to do in this thread, is to provide some useful information, and suggest a way for special transport to be implemented, or rather adapted, in-game to ownable trailers.

I'm not sure where i should put this threat. It involves a suggestion, a discussion, feedback, and also research, so i think the general discussion is the best place for it.

Now obviously, we have the "Heavy cargo pack" and the "Special transport" DLCs so all that I'm suggesting for inclusion into the game as owned trailers has to be adapted by SCS as part of a DLC,
Or maybe the trailers themselves can be part of the base game, however to get cargo for them one would need to purchase the respectable cargo pack DLC, but that's the financial part of things, so i guess I'll leave that's for SCS to decide.

Lets start off with some information first.

The definition of special transport: Any object that is WIDER, LONGER, TALLER, or HEAVIER than what a truck is allowed to carry with a normal permit, is considered special cargo.
So the normal dimensions of an articulated semi truck + semi trailer combination with a normal permit are : 16,5 meters long, 2,55 meters wide, 4 meters high, and 40 tons heavy. (obviously there are exceptions based on countries, such as carrying up to 44 tons if the tractor unit is a 3 axle one in the UK, but the norm for an international transport truck that drives in all of Europe is what i stated above.)

Escort vehicles, and when are they needed?: In most European countries, you can drive with an oversize truck up to certain size, without needing an escort unit. These dimensions are: 3 meters wide, 21 meters long and 4,5 meters high.
This is important, because implementing the very oversize stuff from the "special transport DLC" with the escort units and the outrageously big trailers might be problematic. Firstly because the trailers for each cargo are sometimes unique.

What signs/beacons are needed for oversize transport?
"Convoi exceptionel" sign, on the front of the truck + the back of the trailer.
There are multible variations of this sign, based on country, but the french "convoy exceptionel" is accepted everywhere. Other variations include the scandinavian "Bred Last" the Dutch/Flemish "Uitzonderlijk Vervoer", the German "Schwertransport/ Grossraum" the Italian "Trasporto Eccezionale", the Greek "Ειδική Μεταφορά" or the english "oversize load", etc
4 square signs with angled red and white stripes, plus 3 led lights on the signs (red lights facing towards the rear, white towards the front). These 4 signs are usually parts of the special transport trailers, 2 of them mounted behind the fifth wheel on the trailer, and 2 mounted in the back of the trailer. These have to be extended as wide as the cargo being carried is. When the cargo being carried is not wider than the standard 2,55 meters, these signs are just sitting at the same width as the trailer is.
There is also an option to mount a beacon on each of the 4 signs, but that is only necessary to do if the cargo is wider than 3 meters.
1 beacon/ Flashing light on the back of the trailer, 1 beacon on the front of the truck (mounted on top of the truck)
[ external image ]
[ external image ]

I propose the convoi exceptionel sign as an accessory that can be mounted on the front of the truck, and the back of the trailer, in the tuning shop.

One of the 4 size marker signs is clearly visible on this picture:
[ external image ]

I propose the 4 size marker signs to function automatically ingame, so when a cargo is loaded that is too wide, these sings, already mounted on the trailers would be automatically adjusted and extended to be as wide as the cargo being carried.

Which trailers should be ownable?: The trailers that I'm suggesting for ownership, are as follows: (I'll update this post later with some pictures of the cargoes that i will mention for each trailer being carried.)

1)Extendable variation of the already in-game flatbed. (3 axle, 4 axle, 5 axle variations)
https://i.imgsafe.org/07/07d4f6a188.jpeg
https://i.imgsafe.org/07/07e020abd9.jpeg
https://i.imgsafe.org/07/07f0c012e4.jpeg
Description: This trailer doesn't differ too much from a normal flatbed, however it can be extended by up to 6 meters, allowing it to carry cargo that is longer than a normal trailer.
These trailers usually have 10 ton axles, which means that they have 30, 40 or 50 tons of payload depending on number of their axles.
Tuning options: Extra lights for side and back of trailer, exclusive lights for rear bumper, tool and storage/pallet boxes under the trailer, pretty much whats already available for flatbeds.
Cargo: cargo that is long and/or wide but not very high. Such as, Pre-made pieces of railroad, long beams of wood, long concrete beams, crane centerpiece + all normal cargo currently available for the in-game flatbed.

2)Low loader & extendable low loader. (2 axle, 3 axle, 4 axle variants)
Technically this trailer already exists in-game with the heavy cargo pack, all that needs to be done is add some more cargo to it, make it extendable, and add options for axle setups.
https://i.imgsafe.org/08/081d039250.jpeg
https://i.imgsafe.org/08/081eae67eb.jpeg
https://i.imgsafe.org/08/082383526a.jpeg
Description: This trailer is used mainly for transportation of objects that are long/wide and also high. There is a 5 axle version of this kind of trailer, but its rare to see and would require and escort vehicle. These trailers have 2 wheels per side on each axle, and heavy duty axles. 2 axle payload: 32 ton, 3 axle payload: 46-57 tons, 4 axle payload: possibly around 70-80 tons, im not sure.
Tuning option: Toolbox above the fifth wheel area, extra lights on the sides, exclusive rear bumper.
Cargo: Large excavator, Large specialized container (containing a generator/cooling unit/transformer unit) Large vehicles, Large wooden crates, Combine harvester, + the cargo already available from the heavy cargo pack.

3)Semi low loader & extendable semi low loader. (3axle, 4 axle and 5 axle variants)
This trailer is a much anticipated one, and already in-game (the outdated "low bed" version) and the very well made schwartzmuller version) so the only thing that needs to be done a new model up to par with today's quality and addition of more cargo, and options for axle setups. Its important to note that we currently have a pretty good looking trailer in-game called "single extendable flatbed" which technically is a wrong definition, {source: broshuis website, noteboom website, my knowledge of definitions} plus it has a very uncommon axle setup with a single axle in the front, which is very uncommon IRL. (the single axle in the front is most often used on the really big versions of low loaders, which have 4 or more axles in the back and are used for the very large cargoes.)
https://i.imgsafe.org/08/083c575321.jpeg
https://i.imgsafe.org/08/083e576fe2.jpeg
https://i.imgsafe.org/08/0842206bdd.jpeg
https://i.imgsafe.org/08/0844dc7cbf.jpeg
Description: These trailers are the most versatile of all the trailers used in special transport, a "jack of all trades" if you will, they can load long and wide cargo, as well as high cargo, and while they cant load cargo as high as the Low loaders, they make up for this by being able to load more diverse types of cargo, due to their shapes. These trailers are equipped with 2 wheels per side on each axle, and usually have heavy duty axles. 3 axle payload:~35 tons, 4 axle payload: ~45 tons, 5 axle payload: ~65 tons (surprisingly) These trailers may come with built in hydraulic ramps on the back, or with much lighter, removable by hand ramps, which are usually stored underneath the trailer when removed. These kind of trailers might also come equiped with container pins.
Tuning options: Built in hydraulic ramps (no ramps by default, removable ones visible under trailer), extra lights for sides, exclusive rear bumper, toolbox above fifth wheel area.
Cargo: All machinery currently available in-game, The cargo available to the "single extendable flatbed", the cargo from high power cargo pack, Large excavator, Oversize wooden crate, Oversize tube, Agricultural trailers, off-road dump truck, Boat, Crane centerpiece, containers, Old-school rigid truck (part of game traffic already).

How would extending the trailers work in-game? My idea is simple. When a cargo that doesn't fit on the unextended trailer, the game will automatically extend the trailer during the loading black screen. When the load is dropped off, the game would automatically un-extend the trailer, back to its normal size (nobody IRL drives with an extended trailer while empty.)

Cargoes
Combine Harvester: Available for Low loaders
https://i.ibb.co/pnTqwL2/1198604-actros ... esbenz.jpg
Lift truck: Available for Low loaders
https://i.ibb.co/M5w0wh2/56b8e0749849b4 ... 913146.jpg
Large excavator: Available for Low loaders
https://i.ibb.co/brhy13J/art-1-83419948 ... teboom.jpg
Medium Excavator: Available for Low Loaders and Semi low loaders
https://i.ibb.co/QHQbDZV/Nooteboom-Euro ... 318109.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/sywccJd/83493-1600-900-Crop.jpg
Whatever this vehicle is: Available for Low loaders
https://i.ibb.co/bWw1Y5b/11934923543-967884d0cc-c.jpg
Industrial installation piece: Available for Low loaders
https://i.ibb.co/g4ZZ0R7/6121446205-b0d5eecff1-b.jpg
Offroad Dump truck: Availavle for low loaders and Semi low loaders
https://i.ibb.co/gFh1S9B/Foto-432717200722137.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/Bj7WVc9/Nooteboom-MCOS ... 651680.jpg
Agricultural trailer: Available for Low loaders
https://i.ibb.co/gRDmnsm/20353-med.jpg
Container with built in Generator/Transformer/Cooling unit : Available for Low loaders, Semi low loaders and Flatbeds
https://i.ibb.co/HtFt2H9/mammoetroadcargo2548-01.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/N3GLWJ6/35191479262-546a3048e7-b.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/7SqBTHs/maxresdefaul22t.jpg
Large Silo: Available for Low loaders
https://i.ibb.co/DWQQbDb/Mammoet-3.jpg
Large Loader: Available for Low loaders
https://i.ibb.co/nj28XxT/29367461441-e2939398d7-b.jpg

And off course all the cargo available from the Heavy Haul DLC for this trailer.

Large tube: Available for Semi low loaders
https://i.ibb.co/CbWRrZs/55-ton-1-002.jpg
2x tipper semi trailers: Available for Semi low loaders
https://i.ibb.co/V9D7bC3/8978-2845004919.jpg
Wooden crates (there should be a variation of these 2 for each trailer (one oversize one not) Available for Low loaders, Semi low loaders and flatbeds (according to their size)
https://i.ibb.co/m8G31fm/10553319365-6f685c134a-b.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/L6V4xHT/38924632615-eac71dacca-b.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/Fmz1MKq/fhh-freight.png
Wind turbine part: Available for Semi low loaders
https://i.ibb.co/ZzqdxFb/3178278425-1-4-Eupen-Txx.jpg
Boat: Available for semi low loaders
https://i.ibb.co/wydgPs2/15342938399-89eb434a10-b.jpg
Crane Lower piece: Available for Semi low loaders and Flatbeds
https://i.ibb.co/51y1RrD/27269575308-c95baf686f-b.jpg
Mobile basket lift vehicle (whatever its called in english): Available for Semi low loaders
https://i.ibb.co/DrM7vdH/27768329145-4cae1bec3c-b.jpg
Rigid truck (one already part of game traffic could be used): Available for Semi low loaders
https://i.ibb.co/LxVVjtX/webessentials- ... lers-1.jpg
More self propelled lifts: Available for Semi low loader
https://i.ibb.co/6tTfFwX/a6c69db1093ff6 ... 58d9ed.jpg
More industrial machine parts: Available for Semi low loaders
https://i.ibb.co/8DfdZcY/ciclones-y-apa ... ipo-01.jpg

And off course all the cargo from the High Power DLC, and the base game cargo for "Low bed" trailers.

Premade Railroad pieces: Available for Flatbeds
https://i.ibb.co/tQ47kVv/Flatbed-extend ... teered.jpg
Long wooden planks/beams: Available for Flatbeds
https://i.ibb.co/m0MmSX3/extendable-main1.jpg
Crane piece: Available for Flatbeds
https://i.ibb.co/zrh9hkY/47505780642-0fd49a62ac-b.jpg
Steel Plates: Available for Flatbeds
https://i.ibb.co/1QTxKdd/IMG-20190925-180715.jpg
Crane centerpiece: Available for Flatbeds
https://i.ibb.co/tsbjm2y/IMG-20191001-150435.jpg
Wind turbine Gearbox: Available for Flatbeds, low loaders and semi low loaders
https://i.ibb.co/yXZJ3k7/IMG-20190902-085309.jpg
Aircraft Engine: Available for Flatbeds, Low loaders and semi low loaders
https://i.ibb.co/BBVRKPP/IMG-20190920-131122.jpg
Large steel construction parts: Available for Flatbeds (these would be carried by extendable trailer)
https://i.ibb.co/9crrq8T/IMG-20190903-075216.jpg
And of course all cargo available for Flatbeds in-game

*image tags removed*

[dahaka]

These are some very interesting suggestions, and im definitely happy to see other players as passionate as me about special trailers and cargoes.
The ballast trailer, which is as you said designed to carry crane ballasts (also known as counterweights) could be a great addition, especially combined with one of my suggestions, about carrying an oversize crane centerpiece. Normally, every time a wind turbine is built, or something else requiring a big crane, the crane is split up into separate components, and is shipped by multiple trucks. We have plenty of construction sites ingame, therefore, all that needs to be added is the trailers and the cargo.

The reason i did not suggest the inter dolly and the jeep dolly trailers, is that the sheer size of the trailers, even the empty ones, might require escort vehicles, and of course a special route to be taken. (escort vehicle often necessary if length is more than 21 meters).
What i try to keep in mind, is that if something is too complex to implement, and there is not too much profit to be made to justify making it, SCS wont bother. (rightfully so, its business after all).
The other thing with the jeepdolly and the interdolly trailers, is what happens with the respective dollys, when you dont currently need them? IRL its an easy solution, just load em on the trailer and off you go, but ingame, coding something like that might be quite the hard work.

As for extending the trailers ourselves, I would love to see that, only I fear its too complex of a thing to code. The extendable container chassis we have now can be altered, but only by menu, not in real time ingame, so I believe that would be a satisfactory way for most players, and an easy thing to code too, so its a win win situation. But quite honestly, even if the extending is done automatically, I wouldnt mind, as long as the 3 main types of trailers and the ballast trailer are implemented into the game.

[dahaka]

I havent worked IRL with jeepdolly or interdollys, but ive seen them around. A dutch company active in the netherlands for example probably chooses to go back to the depot and take the appropriate trailer, but i dont think any company would drive back to the netherlands from portugal empty, they instead just take off the dolly and carry them on the trailers.

Also, since you mentioned regulations, the bigger special transport trucks, (>3 meters wide, >4,5 meters high, >21 meters long) not only need escorts, but in Spain, Portugal and France, they are not allowed at all on the highway. And while in Spain you can just go around and use any and all unpaid roads, in France there is a map, which you have to check and take the appropriate routes, which are pretty much national roads through villages all the time. This is obviously a problem, because then SCS would either have to sacrifice some realism (fine by me, gameplay is also important) OR build alternative roads to the highways in France and in the upcoming Iberian peninsula. Which is most likely problematic, because of the map scale.

Its up for our friends at SCS to decide of course, what im kind of concerned with is that we dont have a lot of votes so far, despite the so many views.

[power10]

As I multiplayer person. It only gets traffic lag.

In the single player I do not know. Maybe you could have large screen and wheel set. U can control long trailer as prof driver.

To another players can not use it. On the keyboard give gas truck and will lost all control. Maybe mods help you.

[room217au]

Years ago, folks wanted double trailers.
Responses were varied but most noise was made about game engine not supporting it, prefabs too small, etc etc.
We got double trailers.

Folks were wanting trailer cables.
Noises were made about animation being too hard to do, or restrictions about cable stretching and other things.
We got trailer cables.

(You see a pattern here)

Folks pleaded about seeing their own drivers out and about on the roads.
It's too much CPU time.. it's too much resources by SCS staff for a small feature.. paint trailer traffic in your company name, etc etc
Yep, you guessed it. We got a working map of what the drviers are doing.

Don't ever stop asking.
If you don't ask, you don't get. It just may take some time.

[dahaka]

Of course, asking never hurts, i just dont want to ask for too much and overwhelm the devs, start slow, lay a foundation, introduce the easy stuff to trailer ownership, and then, we can go higher.

[power10]

Special transport is different then an other works. Hard and it needs patience and big time.

It would come as dlc. I respect ofc. I also have wheel set and good system. I ve written that as think keyboard or mause user. Thats diffucult because.

Also scs does trade here. If the population really want it scs does what it needs. Opposite me early to long trailers with heavy eq for now.

These guys can not drive truck at 80 km/h speed. When bought a more than 100 tons. They can not give patience with 40 -50 -60 km speed on the road. Even there is a heavy transport dlc. Maybe it needs more on rework to heavy transport lover its my idea

[erkinalp]

They are allowed, but there is a route restriction. Belgium requires two back escorts for loads heavier than 180 tons or higher than 5 metres.
France:

During the summer, there is a total driving ban for exceptional transports on many of France’s motorways. ( Information can be found in the motorway index of your Category 1 long-term permit. )

Belgium:
http://www.epspermits.com/wp-content/up ... 1-2018.pdf

[dahaka]

During the summer, there is a total driving ban for exceptional transports on many of France’s motorways. ( Information can be found in the motorway index of your Category 1 long-term permit. )

Yes it is true, from 1st o july tro the 1st of september you cant drive on the highways in France. However the game is set in summer (no seasons yet, so for the sake of making things easy, we could say the game is always on september, or june, so problem solved.
Building all the alternative routes you'd have to take IRL is pretty much impossible in-game i think.

[dahaka]

Well, I would agree with you more or less, but many people here would opt for as much realism as possible.
There kind of is a general rule, that is more or less the same in Europe, which is 3 meters wide and 20 meters long. That's how big you can be without an escort in most countries.
Now in many countries, being bigger than that only requires one escort vehicle in the back, for example in Germany I have driven with 3,5 meter wide cargo, and only one escort vehicle on the back. That's an important clarification, because it would be easy to implement ingame. SCS just needs to add an escort vehicle that follows the player around matching his speed, while keeping 25-50 meters distance from the player's truck.