Wabash National’s ongoing commitment to composite trailer body technology was on display again this week at ATA’s Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) Annual Meeting in Atlanta.
Robert Lane, vice president – engineering, says the 53 ft. reefer trailer showcased at this year’s event offers a 31 percent improvement in thermal efficiency “depending on the spec” compared to similarly spec’d trailers using conventional materials. Additionally, Lane says the composite material also offers weight savings, more interior cube space and a wood, aluminum and steel free fully composite floor that has been proven up to 24,000 lb. weight rating through industry standard testing.
“We did a 20,000 lb. test and then we immediately turned around and did a 24,000 lb. test and it passed again,” he says. “We’ve proven we have floor that can go through two life cycles and still have a floor that is in good working condition.”
He adds, “We think longevity is really where this trailer is going to be different.”
Early feedback from the market is positive. Lane says pilot customers running the composite reefer are seeing results equal to Wabash’s internal testing and interest remains high. He says the company plans to continue moving forward at this pace until enough data exists to support the trailer maker’s longevity expectations.
“We are not looking for wholesale adoption yet. We know we have to prove the technology,” Lane says.
Air disc brake standard announced
Wabash National and Haldex also made news this week when the latter announced Haldex Air Disc Brakes will now be standard on all Wabash National van trailer configurations where air disc brakes are specified. Wabash will install the Haldex brake on trailers specified by end users to include the disc brake feature. Haldex says its also will continue to supply its Automatic Brake Adjusters and Brake Actuators (Chambers) to Wabash on their standard models.
“We are pleased that Wabash has selected Haldex for the standard position on Air Disc Brake. Building on the long-term relationship we’ve had with Wabash since 2009 when Haldex became the standard position supplier of the Haldex Self Adjusting – Automatic Brake Adjuster and GoldSeal Brake Actuator. We look forward to supporting our partner in their launch of the Air Disc Brake,” says Walter Frankiewicz, president Haldex Americas and Executive Vice President Haldex AB.
