TRAILER MAKERS NEWS * USA & Canada - Orders remain strong in July

Columbus,IND,USA -Truck News (CAN) -Aug 24, 2010: -- Commercial trailer net orders surged 74% in July compared to the same month last year, according to the latest figures from ACT Research... Dry van orders led the way by gaining 134% year-over-year... Net orders of 10,688 commercial trailers in July were 9% lower than June levels, which is chalked up to normal seasonal buying cycles... The most recent six-month period is the best for commercial trailer orders since the six-month span ending February 2008. And for the first time since 1998, the backlog of orders increased from June to July... (Photo from translead)


* USA - Side fairing added to Hyundai Translead trailers

San Diego,CAL,USA -Penton Media/Fleet Owner -Aug 24, 2010: -- Trailer manufacturer Hyundai Translead has partnered with Ridge Corp. to offer aerodynamic side fairings on all HT trailers... Ridge produces the Green Wing side fairing, which the company said produces up to 5.2% in fuel savings under J1321 tract testing to meet EPA SmartWay requirements... The side fairings are made of high-performance thermo plastic composite engineered to produce predictable deflection modes that provide stiffness and reduce failure in bending, according to Ridge. The device is also UV protected, weighs less than 200 lbs., is dent-proof and warranted against corrosion... Hyundai produces dry van and refrigerated trailers, container chassis and converter dollies... (Photo from translead)


* USA - Interstate Distribution begins massive trailer side skirt installation

Seattle,WASH,USA -Truck News (CAN) -Aug 27, 2010: -- Interstate Distributor Co., Freight Wing and the Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center (PPRC), have announced the beginning of one of the industry's largest installations of trailer side skirts. Partially funded by an $875,972 grant from the EPA's Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) in a cost-sharing program, Interstate began installing 2,058 Freight Wing Aeroflex side skirts in July at its maintenance facilities... According to Owens, the Freight Wing side skirts give a lot of bang for the buck when it comes to reducing fuel consumption and emissions... The side skirts are constructed of durable plastic panels, combined with a flexible bracing system designed to absorb and deflect both ground and side impacts... (Photo: Interstate Distribution Center, in Western Way, Jacksonville, FL)


* USA - Hendrickson debuts automatic tire- inflation system for trailers

Canton,OH,USA -Fleet Owner -Sep 3, 2010: -- Hendrickson Trailer Suspension Systems has unveiled several new products, including the TireMaax Pro automatic tire inflation systems for trailers. The company has also released a lighter-weight trailer suspension system and a new bumper guard for International ProStar tractors... The TireMaax Pro, which will be commercially available in the first quarter of 2011, monitors and adjusts tire pressure by deflating tires based on changing environmental conditions, the company said. It can also balance tire pressures at every wheel position... (Photo from fsvcc: Hendrickson trailer suspension system)