Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/619872
32 | Overdrive | January 2016 EquipmEnt spotlight Dry van trailers GREAT DANE www.greatdanetrailers.com CP Length: 53 ft. Width: 102.36 in. Height: 13.6 ft. Sides: Flat composite plate with PPW galvanized steel skins; 0.38-in. aluminum rivets; logistics uprights on 48-in. centers Roof: 0.04-in. aluminum sheet with bows on 24-in. centers Rear doors: 0.5-in. composite swing; dual-seal gaskets; white galvanized steel cover sheet Floor: 1.38-in. laminated hard- wood Crossmember: Front – steel hat-type for tire protection between support gear and coupler; bay and side areas – 4-in.-deep steel I-beams on 12-in. centers Suspension: Hendrickson HKANT-40K sliding air ride with 49-in. axle spacing Anti-lock brakes: Meritor Wabco 2S/1M Easy Stop Brakes: 16.5-by-7-in. drums with S-cam brakes Scuff band: Two rows – first row, 6-in. extruded alumi- num integrated with bottom rail; second row, 7-in. galva- nized 18-gauge steel Interior options: Overlaid track; various scuff bands; aluminum cargo floors; inte- rior and ceiling linings SE Length: 53 ft. Width: 102.36 in. Height: 13.6 ft. Sides: 1.1-in. steel hat section uprights on 24-in. centers; logistics posts optional; 0.5-in. prepainted white flat corrugated aluminum side sheets Roof: 0.04-in. aluminum sheet with bows on 24-in. centers Rear doors: 0.5-in. composite swing; dual-seal gaskets; white galvanized steel cover sheet Floor: 1.38-in. laminated hard- wood Crossmember: Front – steel hat-type for tire protection between support gear and coupler; bay and side areas – 4-in.-deep steel I-beams on 12-in. centers Suspension: Hendrickson HKANT-40K sliding air ride with 49-in. axle spacing Anti-lock brakes: Meritor Wabco 2S/1M Easy Stop Brakes: 16.5-by-7-in. drums with S-cam brakes Scuff band: 10.25-in. galva- nized 18-gauge steel, full length Interior options: Overlaid track; various scuff bands; aluminum cargo floors; inte- rior and ceiling linings HYUNDAI TRANSLEAD www.translead.com HT Original Length: 53 ft. Width: 102.36 in. Height: 13 ft. 6 in. Sides: 0.05-in.-thick prepaint- ed white aluminum Roof: One-piece 0.04-in.-thick full-width aluminum sheet, tension-leveled prior to installation Rear frame: Hot-dipped 0.375-in.-thick galvanized steel construction with low- profile header, tube-shaped posts; forged steel angle iron in top corners for added rack resistance; lights recessed in rear sill with heavy-duty protection bars Crossmember: 4-in.-deep hot- rolled steel I-beam; 80,000- psi yield strength, located T oday's dry vans are lighter and stronger than those of the past. By replacing heavier components with equally strong but lighter-weight materials and adding extra strength in areas that need beefing up, designers have been able to build significantly better trailers to carry specific loads without fatiguing certain design elements. Structural integrity has been im- proved due to more accurate methods in determining where stress loads are the highest, thanks primarily to better design tools that can analyze the properties of the various materials used in the construction process. Manufacturers also have reduced trailer weight by using composite floors, which also increases load capacity. Composite panels used as side, front and rear door materials allow maxi- mum interior width and length, as well as a smooth snag-free interior. Thinwall designs also provide added interior width and cube capacity, which means more freight per trailer and better mar- gins for owner-operators. Many drivers also spec anti-snag roof bows because they help prevent damage to cargo as it's being loaded. And as durability and maintenance have become major issues, trailer manufacturers have moved away from, or engineered alternatives to, traditional plywood liners.