At the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Ky., Utility Trailer Manufacturing Co. introduced the 4000A flatbed trailer, which is 400 pounds lighter than the 2000A flatbed it replaces but offers equal beam strength with higher-strength steel.
In other news, Utility is showcasing the new composite panel sidewall design of its 4000D-X dry van, as well as new high-pressure injection foam for its 3000R reefer that complies with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Utility says the 4000A flatbed’s lower tare weight results from an aluminum/steel composite. A newly designed 80,000 PSI high-tensile steel, hat-shaped main beam top flange is responsible for the greater strength.
“Our goal was to bring to market an optimized flatbed trailer that would provide the maximum return on investment for our customers,” says Jeff Bennett, vice president of engineering for Utility Trailer. “We did this by eliminating 400 pounds of steel and aluminum on the base model flatbed, which not only reduced material costs but enabled the trailer to carry more payload.”
The 4000D-X dry van’s sidewall panel design features a high-density polyurethane foam construction “sandwiched” between the high-strength inner and outer skins, forming a composite that bonds them.
