4 Axle E-Command House Trailer

MTE completed this 4 Axle House Trailer for Cotton Heavy Haulage, purpose-built for specialist building and house transport throughout New Zealand.

At the heart of this build is MTE’s Full Electronic Command Steer system across all four axles, combined with an extendable chassis, substantial hydraulic height adjustment and kingpin side-shift. Rated to 68,000kg GVM, the trailer provides the manoeuvrability and adjustability required when moving large structures through challenging sites and road networks.  

Key Specifications

Configuration: 4 Axle House Trailer – Full Electronic Command Steer
GVM: 68,000kg
Closed Length: 12,425mm
Extended Length: 21,375mm
Deck Height – Lowered: 900mm
Deck Height – Raised: 2,780mm
Top Deck Width: 2,550mm
Bottom Deck Width: 3,090mm
Axles: MTW 17.5" 10-stud
Axle Spacing: 2,550mm
Steering: Full Electronic Command Steer – all four axles
Suspension: Double-acting hydraulic
Brakes: Pacific
Kingpin: 90mm with angle sensor
Kingpin Side-Shift: 760mm left-to-right travel
Ramps: 2,400mm × 860mm hydraulic
Hydraulic Power: 64HP Deutz diesel engine with three-pump system  

Full Electronic Command Steering

One of the defining features of this trailer is its Full Electronic Command Steer system, with all four axles capable of up to 32 degrees of command steering.

The system provides multiple steering modes to suit different operating situations. In Road Mode, the steer-about position can be digitally adjusted, while Graduated Mode allows the operator to select which axle the trailer steers around. Full Steer Mode provides individual control of any axle or combination of axles.  

For a house-moving trailer stretching to more than 21 metres when extended, this level of steering control provides a major advantage when negotiating tight intersections, restricted sites and difficult accessways.

In-Cab Touchscreen Control

The electronic steering system is complemented by an in-cab touchscreen, bringing many of the trailer's key functions and operating information directly into the truck cab.

Features include Road-Assist steering, adjustable steer-about positions, automatic levelling and lifting, four programmable lift heights and manual dial-up levelling. Pressure information from the left and right suspension, gooseneck and guide is also displayed in the cab.

Road-Assist allows the operator to power-steer while in Road Mode, with the system returning to the kingpin steering angle when released.

Extendable to Over 21 Metres

The trailer can extend from 12,425mm closed to 21,375mm fully open, providing almost nine metres of additional length to accommodate larger buildings.

The chassis incorporates a three-beam high-tensile gooseneck and three sliding pontoons, with air-operated square locking pins securing the configuration.

This allows the trailer footprint to be adjusted around the dimensions of the structure being transported rather than relying on a fixed-length platform.

Hydraulic Kingpin Side-Shift

The 90mm kingpin incorporates an angle sensor for the electronic steering system, along with hydraulic side-shift providing 760mm of left-to-right travel.

Hydraulic side-shift is also incorporated into the dual front landing legs, adding further adjustment when positioning and setting up the trailer.

Built for House Moving

The trailer incorporates a number of features specifically suited to house transport, including sockets for removable 5" × 5" whiskers, extensive tie rails and Tiger hooks, a removable front headboard and lower clip-on lugs.

The rear clip-on system also allows removable loading ramps to be fitted for loading and transporting pilot vehicles on the trailer. This gives Cotton Heavy Haulage the ability to carry its support vehicles between jobs rather than requiring them to be driven separately. The supplied hydraulic ramps measure 2,400mm × 860mm and connect directly to the trailer's rear clip-on mounting points.

Four watertight toolboxes are incorporated beneath the gooseneck, along with a 1,200mm dunnage box and 20 plastic ground-protection mats for use around worksites.