Abstract: A body wall having a horizontal length and a vertical height and including a plurality of elongated upstanding panel members spaced along the wall and including adjacent laterally overlapped longitudinal side marginal strips. One marginal strip of each pair of overlapped side marginal strips is generally planar and the other marginal strip is slightly laterally offset to one side of the corresponding panel member and includes laterally spaced generally coplanar opposite longitudinal marginal border portions and a longitudinally extending central channel portion disposed between and formed integrally with the border portions with the central channel portion opening toward the aforementioned one marginal strip. Securing structure secures at least longitudinally spaced portions of each of the border portions of the other marginal strip to corresponding portions of the one marginal strip toward which the central channel portion of the other marginal strip opens.

Abstract: A drop center trailer having at least one compartment forward of the drop center portion is provided with a hinged gate and ramp assembly connected to the trailer between the drop center and the forward portions. When the trailer is used with decks in the forward compartment or with vertically movable decks over the drop center portion, the gate and ramp assembly is used to provide access between the various levels within the trailer. Furthermore, if a movable deck is used in the drop center portion and aligned with the flooring of the forward portion, the gate and ramp assembly can be swung adjacent to the side of the trailer to provide clearance for straight through loading of freight.