Utility Trailer Manufacturing Co. announced the debut of 100 percent LED lighting on all Utility refrigerated and dry van trailers, as well as tandem and tridem axle flatbeds. “In our continuing efforts to provide ways to improve driver safety and lower maintenance costs, we will be incorporating 100 percent LED lighting as a standard feature on our trailers,” says Craig Bennett, Utility’s senior vice president of sales and marketing.”
Bennett says Utility will use a new LED midship clearance light developed by Grote Industies that also functions as a turn signal, providing greater visibility for all drivers on the road and lowering maintenance costs due to the extended service life of LED lights. LED turn signal lights in the mid-trailer position generally have provided rearward illumination only, but by combining the mid-trailer turn indicator with the marker function, as well as a new lens design, visibility is provided both forward and backward.
Utility says Grote has provided the driver an at-a-glance reassurance that the lamp is operating as it flashes when the turn signal is on and also cautions other drivers on the road when the tractor trailer is making a wide turn. The new LED light meets both federal and California regulations for mid-trailer flashing lights. Utility adds that completing the transition to all LED lights also includes changing the license plate light to LED.
