Abstract: A trailer includes a chassis and a body connected to the chassis. The body includes an open-top cargo-retaining space adapted to carry a bulk commodity payload. An axle subassembly is connected to the chassis and includes at least one set of left and right wheel and tire assemblies to rollably support the chassis. A landing gear assembly is connected to one or both of the chassis and body and includes legs that are selectively deployed to support a forward end of the trailer. A kingpin is located at the forward end of the trailer and is adapted for connection to a fifth-wheel of an associated vehicle used to pull the trailer. The body includes left and right bottom rails and left and right top rails spaced vertically above the left and right bottom rails, respectively. A horizontal floor extends between the left and right bottom rails. The floor includes a plurality of abutted one-piece extruded panels that each extend horizontally between and contact the left bottom rail and the right bottom rail.

Abstract: A hanger assembly comprises a pair of hangers; a pair of trailer attachment plates, each attachment plate attached to one of the pair of hangers; and a transverse support member having a first end attached to one of the pair of hangers and a second end attached to the remaining hanger of the pair of hangers. The hanger assembly is made of aluminum and provides a lightweight, high strength hanger assembly for a trailer that cuts down on the weight of the trailer without diminishing the strength as compared to conventional trailers, and that is compatible with a conventional air ride suspension system and retrofittable on existing aluminum trailers in a bolt-on configuration.

Abstract: A hook hanger for a cargo trailer includes a body. The body includes: (i) a mounting bracket conforming in shape to and slidably engageable with an associated sliding track of an associated cargo trailer; (ii) a hook anchor connected to the mounting bracket; and, (iii) a wall that cooperates with the hook anchor to define a channel including an opening in a side of the body. The wall limits vertical movement of a hook connected to the hook anchor to prevent inadvertent disengagement by vertical movement. The hook is disengageable from the hook anchor only by sliding movement transverse to vertical and through the channel opening. The channel opening is selectively blocked by a movable leg member connected to the body.

Abstract: A load-carrying floor for a truck or trailer includes a plurality of extruded aluminum hollow floor panels wherein each panel includes spaced apart inside and outside walls connected to each other by spaced apart first and second end walls. A primary cross-member is located between and extends parallel to the first and second end walls and interconnects the inside and outside walls. The panels are abutted with each other to define a floor section including: (i) an inner load-carrying surface; (ii) an outer surface; (iii) a plurality of seams; and, (iv) opposite left and right edge regions. One-piece extruded aluminum left and right rails are connected by welding to the left and right edge regions of the floor section, respectively.

Abstract: A winch for a cargo restraining strap includes a frame having a base and first and second parallel spaced sidewalls. The first and second sidewalls define respective first and second apertures. A protective wall extends from the base and is spaced from the first sidewall. The first sidewall and the protective wall cooperate to define a clevis structure including a channel. A pawl is movably secured to the frame, with an inner end thereof located in the clevis channel. A spool extends between the first and second sidewalls and is rotatably supported in the first and second apertures of the first and second sidewalls. A ratchet wheel is connected to the spool and is located adjacent the first sidewall. The ratchet wheel is selectively engaged by the pawl. The frame, spool and ratchet wheel can be defined from aluminum alloy. The frame can be extruded as a one-piece construction. The spool and ratchet wheel can be extruded as a one-piece construction.

Abstract: A smooth side trailer body or body structure comprised of a plurality of extruded panel members positioned adjacent one another. The extruded panels are arranged perpendicular to the floor of a trailer. The panels are held to the floor by a bottom rail. A top rail portion may be used to hold the panels together to form a more rigid wall.

Abstract: A trailer body includes left and right bottom rails and left and right top rails all parallel to each other. A floor extends between the left and right bottom rails. A left vertical sidewall is defined between the left bottom rail and the left top rail. A right vertical sidewall is defined between the right bottom rail and the right top rail. The sidewalls are defined by a plurality of abutted extruded wall panels that extend vertically between the respective bottom and top rails. The floor is optionally defined by a plurality of abutted and interconnected one-piece extruded floor panels that extend between the left and right bottom rails. The wall and/or floor panels can include an I-beam post/cross-member defined in the extrusion profile. The panels can also define half I-beam post/cross-members so that adjacent abutted panels cooperate to define additional full I-beam post/cross-members.

Abstract: A hook hanger for a cargo trailer includes a body defining (i) a mounting bracket conforming in shape to and slidably engageable with an associated sliding winch track of an associated cargo trailer; (ii) a hook anchor connected to the mounting bracket; and, (iii) a wall that cooperates with the hook anchor to define a channel between the wall and the hook anchor. The channel opens in a side of the body, and the wall limits vertical movement of an associated hook connected to the hook anchor to prevent inadvertent disengagement by vertical movement of the associated hook from the hook anchor. The associated hook is disengageable from the hook anchor only by sliding movement in the channel in a direction transverse to vertical. A retaining member is optionally connected to the body and movable to a locked position where it captures the associated hook in the channel.

Abstract: A trailer body includes left and right bottom rails and left and right top rails all parallel to each other. A floor extends between the left and right bottom rails. A left vertical sidewall is defined between the left bottom rail and the left top rail. A right vertical sidewall is defined between the right bottom rail and the right top rail. The sidewalls are defined by a plurality of abutted extruded wall panels that extend vertically between the respective bottom and top rails. The floor is optionally defined by a plurality of abutted and interconnected one-piece extruded floor panels that extend between the left and right bottom rails. The wall and/or floor panels can include an I-beam post/cross-member defined in the extrusion profile. The panels can also define half I-beam post/cross-members so that adjacent abutted panels cooperate to define additional full I-beam post/cross-members.

Abstract: A hanger assembly comprises a pair of hangers; a pair of trailer attachment plates, each attachment plate attached to one of the pair of hangers; and a transverse support member having a first end attached to one of the pair of hangers and a second end attached to the remaining hanger of the pair of hangers. The hanger assembly is made of aluminum and provides a lightweight, high strength hanger assembly for a trailer that cuts down on the weight of the trailer without diminishing the strength as compared to conventional trailers, and that is compatible with a conventional air ride suspension system and retrofittable on existing aluminum trailers in a bolt-on configuration.

Abstract: A smooth side trailer body or body structure comprised of a plurality of extruded panel members positioned adjacent one another. The extruded panels are arranged perpendicular to the floor of a trailer. The panels are held to the floor by a bottom rail. A top rail portion may be used to hold the panels together to form a more rigid wall.

Abstract: A smooth side trailer body or body structure comprised of a plurality of extruded panel members positioned adjacent one another. The extruded panels are arranged perpendicular to the floor of a trailer. The panels are held to the floor by a bottom rail. A top rail portion may be used to hold the panels together to form a more rigid wall.

Abstract: Retroreflective sheeting or tape suitable for the sides of tractor-trailers comprises alternating red and white colors separated by customized areas of sheeting or tape of predetermined locations and length. The customized areas may or may not comprise a retroreflective surface. Preferably, the retroreflective sheeting complies with all United States regulations on conspicuity systems for the sides of tractor-trailers, including box trailers, flatbed trailers, tankers, and the like.

Abstract: A smooth side trailer body or body structure comprised of a plurality of extruded panel members positioned adjacent one another. The extruded panels are arranged perpendicular to the floor of a trailer. The panels are held to the floor by a bottom rail. A top rail portion may be used to hold the panels together to form a more rigid wall.

Abstract: A lightweight, high strength, one-piece subframe and suspension for a trailer that cuts down on the weight of the trailer without diminishing the strength as compared to conventional trailers, and that is compatible with a conventional air ride suspension system. The invention comprises at least two beams positioned generally parallel to each other; a plurality of ribs attached to the at least two beams and positioned extending transverse between and generally perpendicular to the at least two beams; at least one hanger attached to each beam; and wherein the trailer suspension subframe is made of aluminum.

Abstract: A smooth side trailer body or body structure comprised of a plurality of extruded panel members positioned adjacent one another. The extruded panels are arranged perpendicular to the floor of a trailer. The panels are held to the floor by a bottom rail. A top rail portion may be used to hold the panels together to form a more rigid wall.

Abstract: Retroreflective sheeting or tape suitable for the sides of tractor-trailers comprises alternating red and white colors separated by customized areas of sheeting or tape of predetermined locations and length. The customized areas may or may not comprise a retroreflective surface. Preferably, the retroreflective sheeting complies with all United States regulations on conspicuity systems for the sides of tractor-trailers, including box trailers, flatbed trailers, tankers, and the like.

Abstract: A hanger assembly comprises a pair of hangers; a pair of trailer attachment plates, each attachment plate attached to one of the pair of hangers; and a transverse support member having a first end attached to one of the pair of hangers and a second end attached to the remaining hanger of the pair of hangers. The hanger assembly is made of aluminum and provides a lightweight, high strength hanger assembly for a trailer that cuts down on the weight of the trailer without diminishing the strength as compared to conventional trailers, and that is compatible with a conventional air ride suspension system and retrofittable on existing aluminum trailers in a bolt-on configuration.

Abstract: A cargo well configuration that significantly increases the strength of the neck area of the trailer by providing a novel cargo well attachment providing superior strength and load carrying capacity. The improved cargo well of the present invention comprises a first I-beam and a second I-beam positioned generally parallel to each other. Each of the I-beams comprises a web portion, a chord portion generally perpendicular to the web portion, and an extension portion at an end of the chord portion positioned generally parallel to the web portion. The cargo well further comprises a metal plate extending between and fixably attached to the web portion of the first I-beam and the web portion of said second I-beam. The metal plate is fixably attached to the extension portion of the first I-beam and the extension portion of the second I-beam.

Abstract: A lightweight, high strength, one-piece subframe and suspension for a trailer that cuts down on the weight of the trailer without diminishing the strength as compared to conventional trailers, and that is compatible with a conventional air ride suspension system. The invention comprises at least two beams positioned generally parallel to each other; a plurality of ribs attached to the at least two beams and positioned extending transverse between and generally perpendicular to the at least two beams; at least one hangar attached to each beam; and wherein the trailer suspension subframe is made of aluminum.