Reflector
Reflectors are an essential component on every commercial vehicle that operates on public roads, and in the truck and trailer sector visibility is a fundamental aspect of daily road safety. Whether it concerns a semi-trailer parked on a motorway at night or a trailer being manoeuvred in a busy logistics yard, reflectors ensure that other road users can detect the vehicle without the need for an active light source. In trailer construction and at bodybuilders, the correct positioning and colour coding of reflectors is taken into account during every new build or refurbishment project.
The colour of a reflector is not arbitrary. Red reflectors are fitted to the rear of vehicles and trailers to signal that a following road user is approaching the back of the vehicle. White reflectors are placed at the front to indicate that the vehicle is positioned in the direction of travel. Orange reflectors are intended for the sides of long vehicles and semi-trailers, where lateral visibility is a legal requirement for vehicles exceeding a certain length. In the truck workshop and among trailer builders, it is therefore standard practice to keep a stock of all three colours, ensuring that the correct reflector is immediately available during repair or new build work.
In terms of fixing methods, several options are available, each suited to different applications in daily practice. Screw-mounted reflectors are suited for fitting to profiled panels, boards or bodywork plates where a stable and permanent connection is required. The screw fixing provides a mechanically secure connection that does not loosen under vibration or temperature fluctuation, which is a genuine concern with long-distance driving on European roads. Reflectors with an M5 bolt fixing are particularly practical on semi-trailers and trailers where pre-drilled holes are already present in the bodywork or chassis. This mounting method allows quick repositioning or replacement, which saves time in a busy HGV workshop. Adhesive and screw combinations offer flexibility for situations where the surface does not always have a pre-drilled hole, but where a strong adhesive bond is still desired as a secondary fixing.
Dimensions also influence the choice of a specific reflector type. A round reflector with a 95 mm diameter offers a generous retroreflective surface that remains clearly visible at greater distances. Smaller formats such as 62 mm round reflectors are more compact and are used in positions where space is limited or where legislation permits a smaller size. Rectangular reflectors of approximately 94 by 44 mm are widely used on the long sides of semi-trailers, where multiple reflectors are placed alongside each other to meet lateral marking requirements.
In addition, red warning triangles are carried on board lorries and trailers as loose signalling devices rather than fixed components. In the event of a breakdown or hazardous situation on the road, these triangles are placed behind the vehicle to alert approaching traffic in time. In many European countries, carrying such signalling equipment is a legal requirement for vehicles above a certain weight, making them standard equipment in every haulage garage and at every transport company with its own workshop.
In the daily practice of trailer construction and bodybuilding, reflectors are incorporated into both new builds and refurbishments of semi-trailers and draw-bar trailers. Bodybuilders and specialist trailer companies fit reflectors as part of the complete electrical and visual marking of a vehicle, alongside side marker lights and contour lighting. The availability of the correct reflector in the right colour, size and fixing method is a determining factor in achieving a smooth throughput time in the truck workshop.