Strick Trailers announced its acceptance into the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency SmartWay Transport Partnership Program. Strick now is certified to produce dry van trailers to EPA SmartWay specifications for customers who wish to improve the aerodynamics and efficiency of their trailers to save fuel.
“Many of our customers have been looking for ways to save fuel,” says Randy Zimmerman, engineering manager. “Becoming a member of the SmartWay program was a natural progression in this process for us.”
In order to receive SmartWay certification, Strick partnered with Freight Wing Inc. in offering their Aeroflex trailer skirt. “We are very pleased to be able to work with Strick to provide their customers with a best-in-class product that is a perfect match for the progressive TFI trailer,” says Sean Graham, president of Freight Wing.
Strick also is able to install low rolling-resistance tires on any trailer in order to increase fuel efficiency. Together, the tires and aerodynamic fairings will provide an 8 percent fuel economy improvement based on EPA SmartWay estimates used for certification. In addition to meeting the EPA SmartWay specification, this new trailer option from Stick will allow customers to comply with the new California Air Resources Board trailer requirements while benefiting from a substantial return on investment.
In addition to aerodynamics and tires, EPA also takes trailer weight into consideration as part of the certification process. At 13,700 pounds, Strick’s HDPE plastic-lined TF1 trailer is several hundred pounds lighter than comparably equipped steel composite plate trailers with similar inside widths, according to the company.
