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SECTOR REPORTS T R A N S P O R TAT I O N : T E M P - C O N T R O L L E D 46 AUGUST 2014 • FOOD LOGISTICS www.foodlogistics.com M anufacturers of refrigerated truck trailers are in for what is likely to be another stable year for equipment sales. Although there's plenty of freight to be moved, trucking frms are generally more conservative when it comes to new equipment purchases right now because other costs — compliance with various regula- tions, driver and employee costs — are taking precedence. Yet, for those who are making new equip- ment purchases, their return on investment has never been better. Lighter and longer lasting Two of the leading refrigerated trailer man- ufacturers — Great Dane and Utility Trailer — continue to fine-tune their reefer products with improved materials, structural designs, and engineering processes that result in lighter and longer lasting equipment. Utility Trailer, which is celebrating its centennial anniversary this year, is the largest refrigerated trailer manufacturer globally, con- trolling about 54 percent of the market. The company offers two refrigerated trailer mod- els, the 3000R and 3000R Multi-Temp. While its competitors favor a panel process when it comes to insulating the trailer, Util- ity Trailer uses a foam mandrel process. In this process, the whole shell is built first, then foam is injected using a mandrel process, which gets the foam around all the corners to help prevent moisture from entering the trailer and cold air from escaping. Additional insulation is achieved with the company's Versitex VR2 lining that acts as a vapor barrier to keep the foam insulation dry while maintaining thermal efficiency. Engineers also designed the 3000R reefer with a floor clipping system in place of screws to prevent moisture penetration and corrosion from occurring on the wood floors as they flex during normal wear and tear. Customization is also on the rise, according to executives at Utility Trailer. Some of the more common requests include tire inflation systems, more single tires, and refrigerated, multi-compartment units for foodservice applications. Customers are also asking for disc brakes and for aerodynamic features like side skirts and trailer tails. Great Dane Trailers offers three Everest model refrigerated trailers, the TL, SS and CL. The company uses a modular panel foaming process for its reefers to ensure maxi- mum thermal performance, superior linking adhesion and flat, smooth walls. The con- struction also allows for easy replacement of an individual panel if necessary. The company's optional ThermoGuard lin- ing is a composite material with an aluminum barrier layer that seals the insulation, blocking out air and water vapor while trapping the insulating gas within the foam. It is applied on the sides, front, ceiling and floor of the trailer, helping preserve the effectiveness of the trailer's insulation and extending its useful lifespan. According to a company spokesman, Great Dane's engineers have also made a concerted effort to eliminate all wood in the trailers, which not only extends the reefer's lifespan by eliminating wood rot and related structural integrity issues, but also eliminates weight gain in the trailer as a result from moisture intrusion into wood floor sills and furring. During this spring's Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS), Great Dane's exhibit booth displayed a specially-built reefer trailer proto- Building A Better Reefer Box Refrigerated trailers get lighter and longer lasting. By Lara L. Sowinski Utility Trailer's 3000R Multi Temp reefer boasts a lower tare weight for greater payloads along with 16,000-pound capacity floors, built in thermal breaks, and UT's patented barrier door. Carrier Transicold's Vector family of hybrid trailer refrigeration units (TRUs) includes the Vector 6600MT multi-temp unit, featuring improved cooling capacity and fuel efficiency.