During the test, engineers positioned the heavy-loaded trailer tractor with fuel tanks across a test track, and then used a steel cable to pull the deformable barrier normally used for side impact tests for passenger cars straight into the side-mounted tanks to simulate a side collision.
In this test, the engineers wanted to see if the fuel tanks get damaged or fall off the vehicle in a position that is similar to real accidents.
According to R&D Expert Engineer Dan Loftén, the general approach in crash safety is to look beyond the legal demands.
„We set internal requirements based on accident statistics and accident deep studies to ensure that we have a high level of safety in our products,” Loftén explained.
The crash test was thoroughly assessed afterwards. The vehicle was inspected, and the engineers dismounted the parts they found interesting.
In the end, the fuel tanks escaped the test undamaged.