Great Dane’s proactive approach to corrosion protection in all of its trailer models includes working with Tectran to develop premium Severe Weather Gladhands. Customer feedback on how harsh road chemicals were affecting this commonly over-looked hook-up point led to the development of new gladhands by Tectran in support of Great Dane’s research and development efforts.

Great Dane is already installing Tectran’s new gladhands on trailer models. This first of its kind corrosion resistant gladhand is now a standard option on vans, reefers and flatbeds in straight and angled versions, depending on trailer design.

Tectran Solutions Severe Weather Gladhands feature a fully anodized body that keeps road chemicals from attacking the outside and the inside of the gladhand. The new gladhands also have wide lipped polyurethane seals that provide for long- term performance and durability. Unlike compression seals that can roll off the body of the gladhand, the wide lip accommo- dates varying dimensions and the polyurethane outlives tradi- tional rubber seals. Polyurethane seals also offer an additional level of protection due to their UV resistance characteristics.

The new Tectran gladhands have the industry’s first stainless steel clasp plate and mounting bolts to ensure that dimensional integrity is maintained and the connection is sealed for the long term.

Maintaining clamping force for a true seal is critical. Gladhand leaks caused by corrosion can cause air compressors to run overtime to maintain minimum system pressure, leading to excess fuel consumption.
A stainless steel fine mesh screen in the Tectran gladhands pro- vides advanced protection from harmful dirt particles and other contaminants. The number one cause of failure in ABS valves is system contamination, an expensive component that can be protected effectively by Tectran’s serviceable thimble screen.

Tectran polarized aluminum cast gladhands also prevent accidental reverse hook up. The Emergency side has a “tab protru- sion” and the Service gladhand has a “stopper arm” that prevents the two from being connected. Further identification is pro- vided by color-coded seals in industry standard Red and Blue, as well as an “E” and “S” cast in the gladhand head representing Emergency and Service.

The concerns addressed by Tectran and Great Dane in the design of the new Severe Weather Gladhands is helping fight corrosion, cut costs and ensure proper operation of trailer
air systems.

Part of the innovative new Bridgestone Ecopia solution, two new fuel-efficient tires are now available on Great Dane trailers. The R197 Ecopia for dual tire assemblies and the Greatec R135 Ecopia for wide base singles feature Bridgestone breakthroughs in low rolling resistance rubber compounding, and in tread and casing design.
Ecopia radials are designed to be fuel-efficient, smooth wearing and highly retreadable. The R197 Ecopia and Greatec R135 Ecopia incorporate optimized tread depths and tread designs, along with exclusive irregular wear-fighting technologies. Both new tires have sturdy sidewall protector ribs that help shield the casing against damage from curbing, cuts and abrasions.

Designed with a long wearing 11/32-inch tread depth, the R197 Ecopia tire has numerous cross-rib sipes and straight grooves for solid wet traction. The tire features Bridgestone’s new IntelliShapeTM sidewall design that removes weight without sacrificing durability. The R197 Ecopia radial also utilizes Bridgestone’s Defense GrooveTM design to fight shoulder edge wear, along with extensive stress-relief siping to combat river and wavy wear.

Offering the very latest in fuel-efficient design and rubber compounds, both in tread and sidewalls, the Greatec R135 Ecopia features Bridgestone’s innovative Waved BeltTM casing design. Also, along with stone rejector platforms to fight stone drilling, the manufacturer’s exclusive Turn In PlyTM bead design con- tributes to enhanced casing durability and retreadability.

The Greatec R135 Ecopia wide base trailer radial has both Defense GrooveTM and Equalizer RibTM technologies to resist irregular wear, along with a Bridgestone-exclusive shoulder construction that promotes even shoulder wear for long original tread life.

The R197 Ecopia trailer radial is available in popular standard and low profile sizes. The Greatec R135 Ecopia is available in a 445/50R22.5 size.

EPA SmartWay® verified and fully complaint with CARB requirements, Bridgestone’s new Ecopia trailer radials help preserve the environment by conserving fuel and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and by reducing waste by enhancing treadwear and retreadability. The latest trailer tires from Bridgestone will also help cut costs for Great Dane customers by promoting optimum fuel economy, both when the tires are new and when retreaded with Bandag FuelTech® products that complete the Ecopia solution.

In the Platinum Performance System Plus, offered by STEM- CO for new Great Dane trailers, customers now benefit from the high quality components that are part of the Platinum Performance Plus wheel end system. An extended warranty of five years on labor, six years on parts with the option to extend to nine years on parts is a new offering exclusive to Great Dane.

The STEMCO Platinum Performance System Plus is an integrated solution designed to ensure and extend wheel end performance and to lower maintenance costs for fleets. Combining components from the manufacturer’s line of wheel end products, the system offers fleets the flexibility to choose wheel end solutions that enhance sealing, lubricant integrity and bearing life. By addressing these critical performance areas, fleets can realize long life performance at a lower overall cost.

Components in the STEMCO Platinum Performance System Plus include:

• Guardian HP or Discover seals in hub or a spindle mount con- figurations. The Guardian HP axle-installed seal features a sealing lip for contamination exclusion and a self-lubricating thrust pad. The Discover hub-installed seal features a unitized design that uses a high temperature elastomeric, co-polymer sealing element combined with Teflon.

• Pro-Torq axle spindle nuts that control bearing end play and lead to longer tire life, extended wheel seal and bearing life and more accurate wheel end sensor monitoring on antilock braking systems.

• Sentinel or Integrated Sentinel tamper-proof hubcaps designed to eliminate contamination of the lubricant from grime, dirt, or water. The Integrated Sentinel Hub Cap design incorporates patented technology directly into the hubcap using fewer components.

The Platinum Performance System Plus also includes heavy-duty STEMCO bearings.

STEMCO Platinum Performance long-life wheel end systems offer fleets the simplicity of a proven design at a lower cost, durability from the use of high performance components, and ease of serviceability with standard hubs, axles, lubricants and bearings. Working as a system, the combination of components eliminates wheel end failure, assuring lower maintenance costs by reducing downtime.

The Model 715 TrailerBlade is approved for factory installation on Great Dane trailers. The aerodynamic trailer side skirts have undergone independent fuel efficiency testing at the General Motors Desert Proving Ground and have met CARB requirements and achieved SmartWay certification.

TrailerBlade Model 715, according to the manufacturer, achieved greater than seven percent fuel savings in independent testing compared to an identical trailer without the side skirts. By exceeding five percent fuel savings, TrailerBlade is SmartWay Certified as an Advanced Side Skirt.

The Sterol TrailerBlade side skirt consists of an upper panel made of a steel composite (polyethylene core). The composition is formulated to achieve a precise combination of aerodynamic efficiency, flexibility and durability. The upper panel can be color matched to a fleet’s design.

The single piece, flexible lower skirt on the Model 715 TrailerBlade is made of TPV rubber (a thermoplastic vulcanite compound), which will maintain its aerodynamic profile in triple digit temperatures and yet remain flexible enough to pass over objects in temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees. The proprietary lower skirt, the company notes, gives TrailerBlade ground clearance as high as 25 inches. The skirt’s design also allows it to flex outward to release potentially damaging objects.

TrailerBlade features a patent pending, spring-loaded mounting pillar that flexes to avoid damage by absorbing side impacts and is pre-loaded to eliminate vibration. The pillar is also self-enclosed so it will not collect snow, ice, mud or other road debris. The four- way adjustable skirt enables both forward angle and side-pitch to be adjusted to achieve an optimal balance between fuel efficiency, aesthetics and durability.

TrailerBlade’s design also enables easy, bolt-on installation and its modular components lower the cost of repair.

TrailerBlade Model 715 measures 22 feet in length and 32 inches in height, and weighs 220 lbs.

Offered on the entire line of Great Dane trailers, Meritor WABCO trailer ABS offers customers advanced monitoring and control capabilities in various system configurations designed to meet the needs of virtually any trailer application providing performance, safety and low cost of ownership.

Enhanced Easy-Stop™ ABS offerings from Meritor WABCO include basic, standard and premium options:

• 2S/1M Basic provides increased directional stability while meeting FMVSS-121 requirements related to vehicle braking control and stability. The 2-sensor/1-ABS relay valve system is recommended for converter dolly and trailer applications.

• 2S/2M Standard delivers independent control on each side of the vehicle for extra control and directional stability with increased protection against tire flatspotting. The 2-sensor/2- ABS relay valve system is recommended for single and tandem axle trailer applications.

• 4S/2M Premium provides optimal braking control and stability and protection against tire flatspotting. Offered with a choice of 2 or 4 sensors and a third relay valve on 4-sensor models (can be configured to 2S/2M, 4S/2M or 4S/3M systems), the recommended applications for this system include tandem axle trailers, multi-axle, or full trailers.

Common on 2S/2M and 4S/2M Meritor WABCO systems is an integrated dual modulator valve design that is lighter in weight and more compact. In addition, individual replaceable electronic control unit (ECU) and ABS modulator valves save maintenance time and reduce cost on all versions of the company’s ABS offerings.

Troubleshooting for Meritor WABCO Enhanced Easy-Stop ABS for trailers is available through blink codes or in a more comprehensive solution with the manufacturer’s PC-based TOOLBOX software which displays both active and stored system faults as well as the corresponding repair instructions. In addition to diagnostics capabilities, the software enables access to trailer, system and component data, trailer maintenance information, and stores a predetermined service interval based on an electronic odometer.

An innovative new evaporator blower assembly from Thermo King enables Great Dane refrigerated trailer customers to measurably improve the fuel efficiency of single and multitemperature refrigeration units.

Designed to enhance the manufacturer’s Spectrum and SB-30 series units, the Smooth Air Blower, according to the company, reduces fuel usage by up to 7 percent and increases cooling capacity by up to 4 percent.

Thermo King’s new Smooth Air Blower evaporator assembly saves fuel while increasing capacity because it requires 24 percent less power than previous generation blower assemblies. Features of the solution include:

• A more efficient blade design resulting in a more compact blower assembly

• Smoother inlet air, which means less friction and less energy consumed, resulting in increased capacity

• Improved pull down for reduced refrigeration unit run time

Available on new Thermo King SB-30 Series and SPECTRUM SB refrigeration units as well as an aftermarket upgrade for all SB, SB+ and SPECTRUM trailer.

“Fuel costs continue to be a major part of a fleet’s budget. Thermo King continues to work to find innovative solutions like this to help Great Dane customers lower costs and increase efficiency,” said Tom Kampf, product manager for Thermo King. “The Smooth Air Blower Assembly also helps our customers improve sustainability and overall efficiency.”

Developed as a cost-effective solution to the problem of unpredictable lighting and wiring failures that occur on the road, the new portable Roadside Lighting Repair Kit from Grote Industries contains everything a driver needs to make a field repair and return to a service facility without needing costly roadside assistance or risking an inspection violation.

Lighting and lamp failures identified during a pre-trip inspection can be costly, Grote notes. Inspection violations can impact CSA scores, for example, with failed lamps generating four to six points for both driver and fleet records. In addition, the kit can help minimize expensive road calls for lamp repairs, which can cost a fleet hundreds of dollars in service fees, plus hours of lost vehicle and driver productivity that might potentially result in delayed deliveries and customer service failures.

Packed in a small nylon duffle bag, the Grote Roadside Lighting Repair Kit is flexible and lightweight. Measuring only 11 inches long, eight inches wide and seven inches deep, the kit can be easily stowed behind a seat, under a console or in other small spaces.

The Grote Roadside Lighting Repair Kit contains 23 of the most commonly used lighting-related parts, including 12 lamps, four styles of pigtails, three unique grommets, two unique brackets, conspicuity tape and a selection of 14-gauge butt connectors. It also has a selection of zip tie fasteners to help stabilize any field repair, and has space to add additional parts and tools. The kit is also provided with an inventory sheet with part numbers and color images to help keep track of contents and replenishment needs.

Lighting failures are taken very seriously, Grote says, making its new Roadside Lighting Repair Kit an essential tool to have onboard any commercial vehicle.

Designed to weigh less, providing for added payload capacity and improved fuel efficiency, Webb Wheel Products aluminum trailer disc wheel hubs are available on most popular trailer axles specified on Great Dane trailers.

Rated for 25,000 lbs GVW, according to the company, the aluminum hubs weigh from one to three lbs less than competitive products. Part number 4023 for “TN” axles weighs in at just 31 lbs complete with studs and bearing cups. Webb’s “TP” axle aluminum hub, part number 4343, weighs 33 lbs.

Webb aluminum hubs, the manufacturer points out, are very robust, helping fleets reduce maintenance costs for the wheel end components. Results of both SAE J1095 and Webb performance testing at a 25,000-lb axle rating indicated exceptional durability characteristics for both aluminum hub models.

Webb aluminum hubs are also available in combination with lightweight Webb Vortex Brake drums. Specifying Webb aluminum hubs and Vortex gray iron drums, the company notes, can save fleets 28 lbs per axle end, or 112 lbs per trailer compared to standard hub and drum configurations. Webb offers hub assemblies for use with all common drum brake sizes, with or without ABS. Included are hub piloted 10- and 8-hole products and stud piloted versions for 10- and 6-hole applications.

To support Great Dane fleet customers, Webb Wheel Products provides an online Training Toolbox featuring videos and documents for training technicians and for developing maintenance practices. Covered are proper procedures for maintaining wheel-end components and details on problems that can be caused by improper procedures.

A new generation of composite trailer doors from Whiting Door Manufacturing Corp., the Whiting SHIELDseries Dry Freight Door, is available on Great Dane trailers.

Designed with thermoplastic polymer base panels topped with an automotive grade polymer layer, the doors are 20 percent lighter than standard plywood doors and offer high levels of durability in a variety of applications.

The ¾-inch thick proprietary co-extruded thermoplastic panels in Whiting SHIELDseries Dry Freight Doors do not contain any PVC and provide for a paint-less finish, making them environmentally friendly. Capped by a polymer surface, they offer superior UV protection and color and gloss retention. Without any exposed exterior hinge rivets, the doors also have a smooth surface for decals. All of the door hardware is E-COATED for automotive quality corrosion protection.

Other features of the Whiting SHIELDseries Dry Freight Door include:

• High-tensile steel inserts that stiffen panels and provide solid backing for hinge fasteners. Heavy-duty brackets are used to strengthen bottom corners.

• Contoured and sealed panel joints and top, bottom and side seals that keep water out. For added strength, a specially designed metal jacket carries the top seal across the entire door width. A full width, rigid aluminum channel with an easily replaceable vinyl bottom seal and a top closure bracket to easily adjust the top panel and provide a tight door seal are also standard.

• Four rows of hinges that include a center hinge with a contoured design to prevent cargo damage.

• A heavy-duty, 2-inch nylon bottom roller adds strength and durability while a patented roller-change hinge design with a removable cap allows roller changes without removing the hinge.

• Heavy duty, 2-inch, 13-gauge tongue and groove track.

• A two-cable balancer for each cable with independent springs that are treated with rust preventative.

• A cam-type lock that allows one-hand operation and easily accommodates a padlock or car seal.

The panel thickness of the Whiting SHIELDseries allows for easy retrofitting on any standard Whiting Premium dry freight trailer door. With a unique panel construction and proven quality hardware, the SHIELDseries door is unlike any other composite door in the industry.

Across the board, Great Dane landing gear models produced by leading global supplier SAF-HOLLAND are now improved with the addition of a constant mesh gear. Providing a new standard of durability, the patented design eases operation by providing smoother shifting, even when fully loaded, eliminating high-to-low shifting problems, and by functioning exceptionally well in cold weather.

All backed by standard a five-year warranty, three models of Great Dane landing gear from SAF-HOLLAND with the new constant mesh gear design include:

Great Dane Model 70 (GDP70)
Designed for heavy-duty applications, the GDP70 support gear has an ultimate load capacity of 200,000 lbs, a rated lift capacity of 62,500 lbs and a rated side load capacity of 32,000 lbs. Three travel lengths of 15.5, 17 and 19 inches are available for the constant mesh gear that operates at 2.5 turns per inch in high gear and 33.8 turns per inch in low gear.

The GDP70 is offered with a heavy-duty 12- by 17-inch sand shoe and a self-leveling foot, and is available with Great Dane proprietary removable cushion foot in ten- and 12-inch square sizes. Also optional is the low maintenance NoLube system that encases the elevating screw in a sealed grease tube, giving it a new coating whenever the legs are raised or lowered, and a ten-year warranty.

Great Dane Model 60 (GDP60)
The GDP60 landing gear model features a lightweight design and the strength to handle loads up to 170,000 lbs. Its lift capacity is rated at 55,000 lbs and it has a side load capacity of 30,000 lbs. Combining the constant mesh gear and a floating nut design for high-speed capacity, the GDP60 support gear operates at 4.5 turns per inch in high gear and 38.7 turns per inch in low gear. The GDP60 is standard with the low maintenance NoLube system and Black Armour corrosion protection that provides an impenetrable barrier to water and damaging de-icing chemicals. Available in 15.5-, 17-, and 19-inch travel lengths, The GDP60 landing gear is offered with an optional removable heavy-duty cushion foot that can help absorb 50 percent more shock, as well as other sand shoe options.

Great Dane Model 50 (GDP50)
The GDP50 landing gear model, rated at an ultimate load capacity of 170,000 lbs, a lift capacity of 55,000 lbs and a side load capacity of 30,000 lbs, also features a universal mount to accommodate all types of trailer applications. The landing gear’s design offers increased structural resistance to side-load forces and its floating nut feature with twin-bulkhead construction protects the elevating screw and helps prevent damage caused by dock walk. The GDP50 support gear’s constant mesh gear is rated at 4.5 turns per inch in high gear and 38.7 turns per inch in low gear. The model is offered in 15.5- and 17-inch travel lengths with removable cushion foot and sand shoe footwear.

Improved, SAF-HOLLAND landing gear built for Great Dane continues to provide broad and comprehensive coverage for customers of all types.