HDT’s 2017 Trailer Update
Trailers today come in a variety of shapes and sizes, all specialized or generalized to help fleets accomplish the job. Trailers these days need to be both light weight and capable of hauling huge loads and the design of most new equipment reflects this new yin-yang balance between the two — often competing — interests.
The newest trailers have been affected by a few new regulations, most notably in the refrigerated sector, where the Food Safety Modernization Act emphasizes cleanliness as much as temperature control. This has led to trailer manufacturers offering trailer linings that are easier to clean but can still store food at the desired temperatures.
“The FDA compliance of the lining is something that is very important for people who are choosing to haul FSMA food and products,” says Craig Bennett, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Utility Trailer. While FMSA only requires trailer manufacturers to offer a product that maintains the right temperature, the new rules have put the onus on shippers and carriers to keep these metal containers clean, offering a new selling point for trailer makers.
On the environmental front, manufacturers such as Great Dane are participating in the Environmental Protection Agency's SuperTruck 2 program, researching out-of-the-box ways to improve fuel economy. Lessons learned will help in the development of trailers that will meet 2027 GHG Phase 2 requirements and provide fuel savings for fleets. The company is also working with aerodynamic device makers to develop solutions for fleets to meet or exceed GHG regulations, according to Chris Lee, vice president of engineering for Great Dane.
Another interesting development has stemmed from recent tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety showing the effect that side-impact guards can have on collisions with small vehicles. In those demonstrations, the guards prevented the test vehicle from sliding underneath ...Read the rest of this story
