Waltco says its updated Glide Trac (GT Series) is now the only liftgate offering Canadian rear impact guard certification. The company says the Glide Trac’s updated design, which recently passed engineering tests to meet certification requirements, was completed in response to a regulatory change from the Canadian government regarding rear impact guard protection (Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 223) for trailers manufactured or sold in Canada beginning Sept. 7, 2007.
“While others make the claim of being compliant, there are important distinctions between the terms ‘compliant’ and ‘certified,’ ” says Mark Salisbury, engineering manager for Waltco, based in Tallmadge, Ohio. “Compliant simply means that the engineering design was done with the intention that the liftgate will fulfill the rear impact guard requirements. Certified means that not only was the liftgate designed with the intent of acting as the rear impact guard, but the design has actually been proven by mounting a gate on a trailer and crushing it in an impact simulation.” Only Waltco has successfully completed the testing on its GT Series and can offer a certified product, according to the company.
Waltco says the standard Glide Trac design meets the U.S. requirements for rear impact guard certification (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 223 and 224); however, there is an optional package that must be purchased to bring the gate up to the more stringent Canadian Rear Impact Guard specification (CMVSS 223). Proper liftgate installation also is critical for certification, so detailed installation instructions are provided with every Canadian Rear Impact Guard Option Package.
“The redesigned Glide Trac series continues to offer the same product features Waltco customers have come to expect from this versatile liftgate,” Salisbury says. According to the company, the liftgate features a large single-fold level ride platform with a rugged, steel main section and a lightweight aluminum folding section, with lifting capacities of 3,300 and 4,400 pounds.
“As always, it can be easily installed typically with no modifications to the rear trailer sill, regardless of the type of trailer door used,” Salisbury says. For more information, go to www.waltco.com.
