During the years 1994-95 the trailer manufacturing industry experienced banner sales. Rising sales pushed manufacturers to their limits in efforts to fill demand (see Truck Tracks, December 1995). Construction was up and with it the need for new equipment. Pavers, excavators, back-hoes, compactors and skid-steers are just some of the equipment transported on trailers, and as contractors acquired more of these units additional trailers were required to move them to work sites.
Equipment acquisition is just one reason for the expanding trailer fleets. Many contractors needed to replace aged units or update their trailers to conform with new regulations. "Contractors are replacing old equipment, bringing their trailers into compliance with new regulations," stated Roger Voss, vice president of marketing for Redi-Haul Trailers Inc.
The demand for new trailers has continued into this year but it appears that sales may have peaked. Bill Staddon, manager of trailer sales for Etnyre Trailer Co. agrees that this year started out big for sales but has slowed in the last 60-70 days. He explains, "The wet spring has hampered sales. Construction work that would normally begin in March or April sometimes didn't get started until late June." This slow down trend may continue. Staddon predicts, "The market will be soft next year."
Whether the sales boom has flatten out or will continue, one thing is certain-manufacturers are committed to providing quality products through the expansion of model lines and the redesigning of existing models. Redi-Haul Trailers, Fairmont, Minn., is an employee owned company. Voss feels it is the employee ownership that gives them the edge in producing trailers. "We're an employee owned company, and the employees take great pride and care in their work." The company has redesigned its FSL series of equipment transport trailers. To add more strength to the trailers, I-beams are now used in the frame cross instead of channels. Lights on the trailer also have been relocated to improve visibility. The company also has introduced a new tiltbed trailer with tandem axle and full tilt. Its 18-ft long deck is floored with oak as are all the company's trailers.
One of the trends in new trailer production is weight loss. Manufacturers are shedding pounds to offer lighter models that retain their ability to carry heavy loads. Etnyre Trailer's new 35 ton Blackhawk series lowbed trailer weights in at 12,500 lb. Its standard width is 8-ft 6-in. with a length of 22-ft. Optional deck lengths also are available. Standard features include an adjustable fifth wheel height, adjustable road clearances and adjustable deck heights. It comes equipped with a non-ground bearing gooseneck with over 32 in. of vertical travel.
Another example in the move toward light-weight trailers is Fruehauf Trailer Corp.'s Fleet Flyer Platform, which was introduced this past spring. Weighting only 10,295 lbs it is 200-300 lbs lighter than comparable all-steel models. One of the key elements to its weight reduction is the lightweight center beam with a 100,000 lb uniform load rating and a concentrated load rating of 54,600 lb in the center 10 ft. The trailer also incorporates the most commonly requested platform specifications from the company's platform line.
The Ultima series is another trailer line on a diet. Manufactured by Rogers Brothers Corp., Albion, Penn., the Ultima series is constructed with 100,000 psi steel with four main beams. A 50 ton Ultima weighs in at under 19,000 lb with an 8-ft 6-in wide, 24-ft deck. Standard on the Ultima is Rogers patented No Foot low-pressure self-lifting gooseneck, which allows the front of the trailer to be quickly raised or lowered without a ram foot touching the ground.
Eager Beaver, Lake Wales, Fla., also included special features on their trailers such as their patented Roto-Ring. This ring has a rotation of 360° allowing for less stress on the welds while increasing the strength of the ring. The company now offers a new 20 ton tagalong-model 20XPT-equipped with 6 ft beaver tail length and 6 ft spring-assist fold down ramps.
