Trailers are exposed to road salt, potholes, forklifts and the daily grind of freight hauling. The right specs can greatly reduce breakdowns, downtime and expensive repairs. They can also reduce repair bills, keep drivers on the road and extend your trailer’s lifespan.
Here are some smart specs to consider:
- Stronger walls for forklift protection – Composite panels with galvanized steel or reinforced interiors last longer than aluminum or plywood liners.
- Scuffliners that take abuse – Forklifts will scuff and scrape the trailer. Aluminum and steel scuffliners can handle years of punishment, protect the trailer’s interior and preserve load space.
- Floors that don’t quit – Crossmembers with 10” or 8’’ centers in high-impact areas boost the floor’s weight capacity. Adding a reinforced threshold plate at the rear of the trailer increases toughness where loading equipment hits the hardest.
- Self-lubricating landing gear – Landing gear with grease sleeves or sealed lubrication reduces the need for constant servicing. It also keeps the gear turning smoothly and saves headaches for drivers and shop techs alike.
- Slider systems that work – Air-assisted slider pins allow repositioning at the push of a button, meaning no more hammering stuck pins. This reduces wear, damage and worker injuries.
- Extended-life brakes – Extended-life brake linings reduce service intervals and allows fleets to operate thousands of more miles before the next brake job.
- Armor against rust – Using galvanized or stainless-steel undercarriage components pays off when trailers operate in areas treated with harsh road deicers. Increased corrosion resistance means fewer repairs and a safer fleet.
- Lights that last – LED resists vibration better than incandescent bulbs and offers longer service life. Brighter lights also improve driver safety while theft-resistant grommets keep the lights where they belong.
To learn more about repair services, visit our Trailer Repairs page.
