Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/709236
48 | Overdrive | August 2016 GREAT DANE www.greatdanetrailers.com CHAMPION CL 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; 0.05- in. prepainted white flat alumi- num 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: 12-in. galvanized 18-gauge steel, full length Interior options: Overlaid or recessed track; various scuff bands; aluminum cargo floors; interior and ceiling linings CHAMPION 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 aluminum integrated with bottom rail; second row, 7-in. galvanized 18-gauge steel Interior options: Overlaid track; various scuff bands; aluminum cargo floors; interior and ceil- ing linings DRY VANS DRY VANS: LIGHTER AND STRONGER Most of today's dry vans are lighter than those of the past while also being stronger. By replacing heavier components with equally strong lighter-weight materials and adding extra strength in areas that need beefing up, designers have built sig - nificantly better trailers to meet specific needs without fatiguing key elements. Structural integrity has been improved due to more accurate methods in determin- ing where stresses are the highest, thanks primarily to better tools that can analyze properties of the various materials used. 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 maximum interior width and length, and a smooth snag-free inte - rior. Thin-wall designs also provide added interior width and cube capacity. Many fleets also spec anti-snag roof bows because they help prevent damage to cargo as it's loaded. And to improve durability and reduce maintenance, trailer manufacturers have found alternatives to traditional plywood liners. BY DEAN SMALLWOOD More accurate methods of determining high- stress points have enabled engineers to improve dry vans' structural integrity. Max Heine