Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/15908
Reduce cost per mile and increase payload by choosing lightweight materials that don’t compromise durability. And don’t forget features that will help at resale. BY MAX KVIDERA Spec’ing a trailer The heavy-duty aluminum floor reduces weight in this plywood- lined Utility 4000D dry van. The floor carries a 16,000-lb. fork truck rating. trailer. You won’t realize low cost-per-mile if your trailer breaks down, is expensive to main- tain or can’t handle your type of loads well. Knowing definitively what you intend to F transport, where you plan to work and how long you intend to keep the equipment will help you balance price with projected main- tenance costs. Smart choices will keep your operating costs low and your resale value high. Know your application At spec’ing’s core is understanding your appli- cation, says Jerry Richardson, product special- ist at Wabash National. For example: • Hauling heavy-footprint products, like paper rolls, requires higher floor ratings. • Applications with additional equipment, like automotive racks, require interior designs that protect the trailer from damage during 38 OVERDRIVE SEPTEMBER 2010 actors like maintenance expenses, longevity and handling ease play vital roles in getting what you want in a loading and unloading. • Loading cycles can vary greatly – from weekly to multiple daily loads. The greater the frequency, the faster the equipment wears. Dan Giles, director of engineering for Fon- taine Trailer Co., recommends you consider your trailer’s versatility, spec’ing the size, model, style and axle and suspension configu- ration so you can run the trailer in several states, as well as in Canada. For example, if you intend to haul in California, you should be aware of laws that involve trailers. California is the only state that has an axle spacing law that requires a distance from the king pin to the rear axle be 40 feet or less. In other states, 43 feet is typical. “We and other manufacturers build a 53-foot trailer with a 40-foot axle setting,” Giles says. Or you may want to consider spec’ing a slid- ing axle, Giles says. That will give your trailer the versatility to meet standards in California and other states. Courtesy of Utility Trailer