TRT’s new mini quad: Robinson’s game changer
6 May 2025
TRT Trailer Sales, Jeremy Carden, and Chris Robinson with Chris’s brand new TRT all-steering mini quad trailer. Image: TRT
A new all-steering mini quad deck widener manufactured by TRT Trailers is set to be a game-changer for Coffs Harbour based operation Robinson Heavy Haulage.
The business is owned and operated by Chris Robinson, who also runs Robinson Earthmoving. Around 15 years ago, Chris purchased a truck and float to service the needs of his earthmoving business. “Then the haulage business just grew from there,” he said. Today, Robinson Haulage runs an impressive fleet of 12 trucks and 10 trailers – five of which are floats.
While the work is predominantly heavy haulage for the civil construction and mining industries, Robinson Heavy Haulage has also expanded its services to cater to other industries too.
Up until a few years ago, most of the work was in Sydney and Brisbane, however now the trucks can be found operating as far north as Weipa in Queensland, and into Darwin, Perth and Broome.
“When I purchased my first quad axle widener from TRT in 2013, I told them I’m an earthmover, so this would be the first and only trailer I buy from them for the rest of my life,” Chris laughed.
“I only sold that recently and to this day it’s still the best trailer I’ve ever owned. I certainly like to test the equipment to its limits and that trailer proved to be very strong.”
Now, the new all-steering mini quad is the fifth heavy haulage trailer Chris has purchased from TRT – with plans to order a highly customised 5×8 low loader from the trailer manufacturer in coming months too.
Load testing the new TRT all-steering mini quad trailer. Image: TRT
Robinson Heavy Haulage has been heavily involved in the Coffs Harbour Bypass Project for the past two years and that is set to continue for around three more years. The all-steering mini quad deck widener was purchased to service that contract and will be used there on the daily. “This project is right in our backyard, so as locals, we’re very involved,” Chris said, adding that his new trailer is unlike anything he’s seen before.
“With this bypass, there are a lot of tight streets we need to go through. This is a 19-metre trailer that widens to 3.5 metres. It will be used for indivisible loads and single items of up to 35 tonne. Due to its shorter length, it can be used on any road network. It has a top deck and a lower deck. Unlike traditional low loaders, this one doesn’t have a gooseneck.”
Chris added that this trailer was a first for TRT. “It’s a prototype – so it’s a first for New Zealand and a first for Australia. Now we’re seeing how it performs out on the road.”
He spoke about the many benefits offered by this trailer. “Being all-wheel steer, the manoeuvrability is incredible. You can get anywhere with it, around roundabouts and corners.
“It also means we get a huge saving on tyre wear. Traditional quad floats would get 40,000 to 50,000km out of their tyres, while all-wheel steer quad floats can get 90,000 to 100,000km out of their tyres.”
To add, this new trailer ticks many boxes with loading. Keeping the tare weight down means Chris can carry heavier loads; and the reduced loading angle made possible through TRT’s unique beavertail design allows these items to be loaded with ease.
“Being a deck widener, that adds a lot to the tare weight. This trailer sits at about 14.5 tonne, whereas competitors out there are building mini quad wideners that are closer to 17 tonne.
“It was important to keep that in mind while designing this trailer. I wanted to make sure the weight was kept down so I can carry big oversize machines.
“I’d say TRT is easily the best in the business with regards to loading angles with your ramps and beaver tails. This trailer has a maximum beaver tail with 3.3 metre ramps on it, which gives us a 10 degree loading angle. We move a lot of low profile machines. That’s where it can become difficult to load – so having this sort of loading angle is a big plus for us.”
Along with continuing to grow his transport business, Chris’ earthmoving business has grown exponentially too – he’s recently celebrated the delivery of his 100th piece of Caterpillar machinery – a Cat D8 bulldozer – painted in his signature dark grey to match his trucks.
Chris’ fleet of prime movers is quite impressive and includes a 1987 V8 Mack Superliner, that he and his team spent five years restoring from the ground up. A favourite on the truck show circuit, it’s picked up many awards.
As a result the vintage Superliner is one of 28 showstopping prime movers that will be on display during the National Show ‘N’ Shine Championship, held as part of Truck Week 25. These trucks were selected out of the winners of the top community-based show ‘n’ shine events held around the country through 2023 and 2024.
Robinson Heavy Haulage’s new TRT all-steering mini quad deck widener and Kenworth SAR Legend will also be displayed on Brisbane Truck Show eve (Wednesday May 14) at TRT’s Brisbane branch, located at 1028 Lytton Road, Murarrie.