Efforts are constantly being made to reduce tare weight of East trailers. Emerging technology by suppliers and developments in new alloys and extrusion design continue to drive the effort forward to find ways to reduce the weight and maintain the efficiency of the equipment. East says it stresses the strength-to-weight ratio to provide maximum return to the investment dollar.
Joining its Alcoa Ultra One aluminum 22.5 x 8.25 wheel as standard, the East aluminum air tank is standard on all new East trailers. Made with less corrosive and lighter material than the steel air tank, the aluminum air tank weighs 13.8 lb., 10.7 lb. less than the steel, the company says. The trailer air tanks provide air pressure volume to operate the pneumatic system, including brake actuation and suspension performance (including lift axles, steer axles), tire inflation, tailgate operation and more.
Each East trailer has a minimum of two tanks so a tandem-axle trailer has 21.4 lb. less weight. The more axles added to a trailer, the more tanks required. Multi-axle trailers with a variety of lifts and/or steer axles could translate up to 150 lb. in weight reduction. In addition to its lightweight, East says the aluminum reduces corrosion.
“We are pleased to offer aluminum air tanks as standard,” says Dave de Poincy, president. “The advanced technology provides lower maintenance cost and increased payload, reflecting our mission to provide optimum payload and reduced downtime for our customers.”
