Abstract: A rendering trailer includes a dump box with a center gate dividing the interior chamber of the trailer into forward and rearward compartments. A doorway is formed in the center gate to allow a person to pass therethrough to facilitate washing the forward and rearward compartments. A door is mounted on the center gate to open and close the doorway. The invention also includes a method of using the center gate and the gate itself.

Abstract: A rendering trailer includes a dump box with a center gate dividing the interior chamber of the trailer into forward and rearward compartments. A doorway is formed in the center gate to allow a person to pass therethrough to facilitate washing the forward and rearward compartments. A door is mounted on the center gate to open and close the doorway. The invention also includes a method of using the center gate and the gate itself.

Abstract: A drop deck trailer frame includes a front section having a first upper surface, a rear section having a second upper surface lower than the first upper surface, and an improved connection between the front and rear sections which tends to reduce cracking which commonly occurs in drop deck trailer frames due to the stresses in the region of the connection. The connection preferably includes a semicircular weld. In addition, heat treated bent flanges are typically used to provide additional strength. Fasteners such as bolts are also typically used to connect various flanges.

Abstract: A drop deck trailer frame includes a front section having a first upper surface, a rear section having a second upper surface lower than the first upper surface, and an improved connection between the front and rear sections which tends to reduce cracking which commonly occurs in drop deck trailer frames due to the stresses in the region of the connection. The connection preferably includes a semicircular weld. In addition, heat treated bent flanges are typically used to provide additional strength. Fasteners such as bolts are also typically used to connect various flanges.

Abstract: A flatbed trailer includes first, second and third flatbed sections whereby the first and second sections are joinable in an extendable configuration and the first and third sections are joinable in an alternate and typically standard configuration. The trailer can be switched between the extendable and alternate configuration within a fairly short time. The invention thus eliminates the need for both a standard extendable trailer and a separate non-extendable trailer, and provides the ability to use the alternate configuration when the extendable configuration is not necessary in order to substantially reduce the weight which would otherwise be involved with the use of the extendable configuration.

Abstract: A rendering trailer includes a dump box with a center gate dividing the interior chamber of the trailer into forward and rearward compartments. A doorway is formed in the center gate to allow a person to pass therethrough to facilitate washing the forward and rearward compartments. A door is mounted on the center gate to open and close the doorway. The invention also includes a method of using the center gate and the gate itself.

Abstract: A flatbed trailer comprising front and rear flatbed trailer sections and a method of operation is provided. In one embodiment, a first support assembly is configured to lift the front flatbed trailer section relative to the rear flatbed trailer section, and second support assembly is configured to lift the rear flatbed trailer section relative to the front flatbed trailer section. Roller wheels may provide rolling engagement between the front and rear flatbed trailer sections, and slide members may provide sliding engagement between the front and rear flatbed trailer sections.

Abstract: A flatbed trailer includes first, second and third flatbed sections whereby the first and second sections are joinable in an extendable configuration and the first and third sections are joinable in an alternate and typically standard configuration. The trailer can be switched between the extendable and alternate configuration within a fairly short time. The invention thus eliminates the need for both a standard extendable trailer and a separate non-extendable trailer, and provides the ability to use the alternate configuration when the extendable configuration is not necessary in order to substantially reduce the weight which would otherwise be involved with the use of the extendable configuration.

Abstract: A drop deck trailer frame includes a front section having a first upper surface, a rear section having a second upper surface lower than the first upper surface, and an improved connection between the front and rear sections which tends to reduce cracking which commonly occurs in drop deck trailer frames due to the stresses in the region of the connection. The connection preferably includes a semicircular weld. In addition, heat treated bent flanges are typically used to provide additional strength. Fasteners such as bolts are also typically used to connect various flanges.

Abstract: A center door assembly for a dump bed and a method for removing the door from the dump bed. A frame is mounted in a wall of the dump bed and has a pair of opposite and spaced apart channels. A pair of elastomeric inserts are removably mounted in the channels. A retractable door has a pair of edges slidably received in the inserts and is movable linearly within the channels between a closed position and an open position. A pivot linkage assembly is operatively connected to the door for linearly moving the door between the closed and open positions. The elastomeric inserts are removed from the channels through a bottom opening in the channels providing lateral space between the channels to enable the door to be removed from the frame. The elastomeric inserts are provided with bend areas enabling them to be compressed for removal from the channels.

Abstract: A drop deck trailer frame includes a front section having a first upper surface, a rear section having a second upper surface lower than the first upper surface, and an improved connection between the front and rear sections which tends to reduce cracking which commonly occurs in drop deck trailer frames due to the stresses in the region of the connection. The connection preferably includes a semicircular weld. In addition, heat treated bent flanges are typically used to provide additional strength. Fasteners such as bolts are also typically used to connect various flanges.

Abstract: A flatbed trailer includes first, second and third flatbed sections whereby the first and second sections are joinable in an extendable configuration and the first and third sections are joinable in an alternate and typically standard configuration. The trailer can be switched between the extendable and alternate configuration within a fairly short time. The invention thus eliminates the need for both a standard extendable trailer and a separate non-extendable trailer, and provides the ability to use the alternate configuration when the extendable configuration is not necessary in order to substantially reduce the weight which would otherwise be involved with the use of the extendable configuration.

Abstract: A center door assembly for a dump bed and a method for removing the door from the dump bed. A frame is mounted in a wall of the dump bed and has a pair of opposite and spaced apart channels. A pair of elastomeric inserts are removably mounted in the channels. A retractable door has a pair of edges slidably received in the inserts and is movable linearly within the channels between a closed position and an open position. A pivot linkage assembly is operatively connected to the door for linearly moving the door between the closed and open positions. The elastomeric inserts are removed from the channels through a bottom opening in the channels providing lateral space between the channels to enable the door to be removed from the frame. The elastomeric inserts are provided with bend areas enabling them to be compressed for removal from the channels.

Abstract: A flatbed trailer includes first, second and third flatbed sections whereby the first and second sections are joinable in an extendable configuration and the first and third sections are joinable in an alternate and typically standard configuration. The trailer can be switched between the extendable and alternate configuration within a fairly short time. The invention thus eliminates the need for both a standard extendable trailer and a separate non-extendable trailer, and provides the ability to use the alternate configuration when the extendable configuration is not necessary in order to substantially reduce the weight which would otherwise be involved with the use of the extendable configuration.

Abstract: A flatbed trailer includes first, second and third flatbed sections whereby the first and second sections are joinable in an extendable configuration and the first and third sections are joinable in an alternate and typically standard configuration. The trailer can be switched between the extendable and alternate configuration within a fairly short time. The invention thus eliminates the need for both a standard extendable trailer and a separate non-extendable trailer, and provides the ability to use the alternate configuration when the extendable configuration is not necessary in order to substantially reduce the weight which would otherwise be involved with the use of the extendable configuration.

Abstract: A flatbed trailer comprising front and rear flatbed trailer sections and a method of operation is provided. In one embodiment, a first support assembly is configured to lift the front flatbed trailer section relative to the rear flatbed trailer section, and second support assembly is configured to lift the rear flatbed trailer section relative to the front flatbed trailer section. Roller wheels may provide rolling engagement between the front and rear flatbed trailer sections, and slide members may provide sliding engagement between the front and rear flatbed trailer sections.

Abstract: A drop deck trailer frame includes a front section having a first upper surface, a rear section having a second upper surface lower than the first upper surface, and an improved connection between the front and rear sections which tends to reduce cracking which commonly occurs in drop deck trailer frames due to the stresses in the region of the connection. The connection preferably includes a semicircular weld. In addition, heat treated bent flanges are typically used to provide additional strength. Fasteners such as bolts are also typically used to connect various flanges.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a front flatbed trailer section, a rear flatbed trailer section, a first support assembly carried by one of the front and rear flatbed trailer sections, and wherein the first support assembly at least partially disengages the other of the front and rear flatbed trailer sections. A method of extending a trailer comprising the steps of providing a first flatbed trailer section and a second flatbed trailer section with a slide member and a first support assembly, displacing the first support assembly in a first direction, separating the first and second flatbed trailer sections in a vertical direction, and moving one of the first and second flatbed trailer sections in a horizontal direction relative to the other of the first and second flatbed trailer sections.

Abstract: A drop deck trailer frame includes a front section having a first upper surface, a rear section having a second upper surface lower than the first upper surface, and an improved connection between the front and rear sections which tends to reduce cracking which commonly occurs in drop deck trailer frames due to the stresses in the region of the connection. The connection preferably includes a semicircular weld. In addition, heat treated bent flanges are typically used to provide additional strength. Fasteners such as bolts are also typically used to connect various flanges.

Abstract: A primarily aluminum extendable flatbed trailer has front and rear flatbed sections adjustable to various trailer lengths. Reinforcing plates with holes therein are connected to an aluminum longitudinal rail on one flatbed section. Holes in the rail aligned with the reinforcing plate holes removably receive a locking pin which secures the front section to the rear section. The locking pin slidably engages the reinforcing plates and associated wear bars. A generally vertical web strengthener is secured to a vertical longitudinal web on the rail adjacent the suspension of the trailer. Tubular aluminum braces are used in various locations. A friction reducing plastic slide member on one flatbed section slidably engages the other flatbed section. Another trailer includes first, second and third flatbed sections whereby the first and second sections are joinable in an extendable configuration and the first and third sections are joinable in a standard configuration.