“Everything we can do to make our trailers more aerodynamic is a huge benefit for the environment and as well as for our customers,” says Jeffrey Bennett, vice president, Engineering & Product Development for Utility. “We are proud that our Utility Side Skirt qualifies at the GHG2 BIN III Level, which is a standard that exceeds the current SmartWay requirements. It also exceeds current CARB (California Air Resources Board) requirements.”
The EPA’s and NHTSA’s Phase 2 Heavy-Duty rules are the latest regulations put in place to further reduce greenhouse (GHG) emissions and fuel consumption for medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicles – including trailers that are used in combination with tractors.
“After extensive testing in our R&D facility, the construction of the Utility Side Skirt is proven to be nearly indestructible and is designed to provide long term durability,” adds Bennett.
Constructed from UV protected bi-directional fiberglass reinforced plastic, Utility says the side skirts are engineered with a unique angled design at the bottom of the skirt for enhanced rigidity without a loss of flexibility. This design enables the skirt to maintain its structural integrity when the trailer is moving at higher speeds.
The proven Utility Side Skirt includes a 5-year warranty and is available as a factory or dealer installation option for new Utility trailers. Retrofitting for existing trailers is available through aftermarket at a local Utility dealer, the company says.
