Abstract: A cargo body includes a floor, a roof, a first sidewall extending between the floor and the roof, and a second sidewall extending between the floor and the roof, the second sidewall cooperating with the first sidewall, the floor, and the roof to define a cargo receiving volume. The floor is defined by at least one composite panel including a core and a pair of skins sandwiching the core.

Abstract: A trailer includes front and rear ends spaced in a longitudinal direction to define a cargo area. A frame includes a rear bolster extending in a transverse direction across the rear end below a bottom rear edge of the cargo area. Spaced rear frame posts extend upwardly from respective distal ends of the rear bolster. A rear impact guard includes a bumper extending transversely and spaced below the rear bolster, a pair of outboard posts extending between the bumper and the rear bolster adjacent the respective distal ends of the rear bolster, and at least one inboard post. Each of the outboard posts has a rearward-extending horizontal first flange and an upward-extending vertical second flange spaced forwardly of the first flange, these flanges including multiple apertures aligned with apertures in the trailer frame, each of the apertures accommodating a removable fastener securing the rear impact guard to the trailer frame.

Abstract: A container includes a first contoured edge of a first wall panel, a second contoured edge of a second wall panel, and a spline with a first channel that receives the first contoured edge and a second channel that receives the second contoured edge to form a spline joint securing the first and second wall panels together.

Abstract: A cargo body includes a floor configured to support a cargo load and a roof positioned above the floor. The roof includes a roof panel having a composite construction including a first skin, a second skin, and a core positioned between the first and second skins. The cargo body includes first and second lateral sidewalls, each having an upper rail extending along an upper edge thereof. An edge portion of the roof panel is joined to one of the first and second upper rails.

Abstract: A cargo body includes a floor configured to support a cargo load and a roof positioned above the floor. The roof includes a roof panel having a composite construction including a first skin, a second skin, and a core positioned between the first and second skins. The cargo body includes first and second lateral sidewalls, each having an upper rail extending along an upper edge thereof. An edge portion of the roof panel is joined to one of the first and second upper rails.

Abstract: A cargo body includes a floor configured to support a cargo load and a roof positioned above the floor. The roof includes a roof panel having a composite construction including a first skin, a second skin, and a core positioned between the first and second skins. The cargo body includes first and second lateral sidewalls, each having an upper rail extending along an upper edge thereof. An edge portion of the roof panel is joined to one of the first and second upper rails.

Abstract: A trailer includes front and rear ends spaced in a longitudinal direction to define a cargo area. A frame includes a rear bolster extending in a transverse direction across the rear end below a bottom rear edge of the cargo area. Spaced rear frame posts extend upwardly from respective distal ends of the rear bolster. A rear impact guard includes a bumper extending transversely and spaced below the rear bolster, a pair of outboard posts extending between the bumper and the rear bolster adjacent the respective distal ends of the rear bolster, and at least one inboard post. Each of the outboard posts has a rearward-extending horizontal first flange and an upward-extending vertical second flange spaced forwardly of the first flange, these flanges including multiple apertures aligned with apertures in the trailer frame, each of the apertures accommodating a removable fastener securing the rear impact guard to the trailer frame.

Abstract: A trailer frame includes a rear bolster, cross-members, and corner gussets extending forwardly from ends of the rear bolster. A rear impact guard includes a bumper positioned at the rear end of the trailer and spaced below the rear bolster, pair of outboard posts, and at least one inboard post. The outboard posts extend between the bumper and the rear bolster adjacent respective opposed distal ends of the bumper, and the inboard post extends between the bumper and the rear bolster between the outboard posts. Each of the pair of outboard posts has a lower end that overlaps with a respective mounting bracket that protrudes upwardly toward the rear bolster from the bumper such that mounting holes of the outboard posts align with mounting holes of the mounting brackets. A laterally-outboard panel of each mounting bracket extends obliquely from the bumper in a direction with a laterally-outward component.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of assembling a roof of a cargo body. A plurality of sidewalls are provided, each comprising a side panel and an upper rail coupled to the side panel. A roof panel is located above the plurality of sidewalls adjacent the upper rails. A roof bow extends between the upper rails below the roof panel. The roof bow is fixed to a track of one of the upper rails with a fastener.

Abstract: A cargo body includes sidewalls constructed of pairs of panels secured together at respective joints. Each panel is an assembled panel having a core, an interior skin, and an exterior skin. Each of the joints is formed as a lap joint in which edge portions of first and second panels overlap each other. The first panel has a reduced-thickness core portion throughout the edge portion in which a core thickness measured between the interior and exterior skins is less than half of a maximum core thickness of the first panel. The second panel has a reduced-thickness core portion throughout the edge portion in which a core thickness measured between the interior and exterior skins is less than a maximum core thickness of the second panel.

Abstract: A cargo body includes sidewalls constructed of pairs of panels secured together at respective joints. Each panel is an assembled panel having a core, an interior skin, and an exterior skin. In some cases, each joint is formed to include overlapping edge portions of first and second ones of the adjacent pair of panels. Each of the overlapping edge portions has a thickness less than 20 percent of a total panel thickness of the corresponding one of the adjacent pair of panels such that the joint formed thereby defines a recess between co-facing edge portions of the first and second ones of the adjacent pair of panels. A profile insert defining a longitudinal channel is positioned in the recess defined by the overlapping edge portions at each joint. Each joint is secured by fixedly attaching the profile insert to the overlapping edge portions.

Abstract: A cargo body includes sidewalls constructed of pairs of panels secured together at respective joints. Each of the plurality of panels is a composite panel having a core, an interior skin secured to a first side of the core facing the cargo receiving volume, and an exterior skin secured to a second opposite side. Each joint includes an interior splice plate and an exterior splice plate, and co-facing edge portions of the adjacent pair of panels are sandwiched between the interior and exterior splice places. Each edge portion defines a region of reduced core thickness in which a core thickness measured between the respective interior and exterior skins is less than a maximum core thickness. A recess is formed by the pair of interior or exterior skins to receive the corresponding splice plate, such that the corresponding one of the interior and exterior splice plate is nested into the recess.

Abstract: A trailer includes front and rear ends and a cargo area. A rear bolster extends transversely to a longitudinal direction at a bottom rear edge of the cargo area. A rear impact guard includes a bumper having opposing distal ends spaced laterally across the trailer. A pair of distal end supports connect to the distal ends of the bumper, each including a diagonal truss member and a vertical stabilizer. The diagonal truss extends along an axis in a forward, inward and upward direction from the bumper. The vertical stabilizer members are separate from the diagonal truss members and extend upwardly from the bumper to the rear bolster. The vertical stabilizer reduces an offset component of buckling load on the diagonal truss member upon rear impact. At least one inboard post extends between the bumper and the rear bolster at a location between the pair of distal end supports.

Abstract: A commodity trailer for storage and transport of a commodity, and provided with a lighting system. The commodity trailer can include a tub in which the commodity is stored and transported, wherein the tub includes at least one wall that is sloped from a first elevation to an opening beneath the tub at a second elevation lower than the first elevation to funnel the commodity toward the opening, and wherein the opening has a plurality of sides; a frame extending along at least one side of the opening; and a lamp mounted to the frame, wherein the lamp is positioned and oriented to direct light upon an area beneath the opening into which commodity from the tub flows upon exiting the opening.

Abstract: A trailer frame includes a rear bolster, cross-members, and corner gussets extending forwardly from ends of the rear bolster. A rear impact guard includes a bumper positioned at the rear end of the trailer and spaced below the rear bolster, pair of outboard posts, and at least one inboard post. The outboard posts extend between the bumper and the rear bolster adjacent respective opposed distal ends of the bumper, and the inboard post extends between the bumper and the rear bolster between the outboard posts. Each of the pair of outboard posts has a lower end that overlaps with a respective mounting bracket that protrudes upwardly toward the rear bolster from the bumper such that mounting holes of the outboard posts align with mounting holes of the mounting brackets. A laterally-outboard panel of each mounting bracket extends obliquely from the bumper in a direction with a laterally-outward component.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for assembling a roof or floor of a cargo body, and for securing doors and other portions of a cargo body in place. In some cases, a plurality of sidewalls are provided, each comprising a side panel and an upper rail and/or lower rail coupled to the side panel. A roof panel can be located above the plurality of sidewalls adjacent the upper rails, with a roof bow extending between the upper rails below the roof panel and fixed to a track of one of the upper rails with a fastener. A floor cross member can be located between the lower rails, and can be secured to the lower rails via a track and fastener.