Abstract: A rear impact guard configured to be coupled to a rear end of a trailer includes first, second, third, and fourth support bases coupled to a the rear end of the trailer, first, second, third, and fourth bumper support members associated with the first, second, third, and fourth support bases, respectively, and a bumper mounted to lower ends of the first, second, third, and fourth bumper support members.

Abstract: A mounting bracket configured to mount a composite truck body to a chassis is provided. The mounting bracket includes a first side plate having a first hole therethrough and configured to be coupled to a first side of a main beam of the composite truck body and a second side plate having a second hole therethrough and configured to be coupled to a second, opposite side of the main beam and aligned opposite the first side plate. The mounting bracket also includes a tube configured to be routed through the first hole of the first side plate, a main beam hole of the main beam, and the second hole of the second side plate, and a bar configured to be routed through the tube. The bar includes a vertical hole through each end, and each vertical hole is configured to receive a mounting rod.

Abstract: An aerodynamic rear drag reduction system is configured to be coupled to a frame assembly of a trailer including a rear frame and a rear swing door. The drag reduction system includes a top panel configured to be coupled to a top portion of the rear swing door to extend generally horizontally along a top portion of the rear frame of the trailer. The drag reduction system also includes a folding mechanism coupled to the top panel to move the top panel between a fully-deployed position wherein the top panel is configured to extend rearwardly generally away from the rear end of the trailer and a collapsed position wherein the top panel is configured to lie generally adjacent the rear swing door of the trailer. The folding mechanism is configured to be coupled to a door locking mechanism of the trailer.

Abstract: A side skirt system for reducing drag on a trailer or other ground vehicle includes plurality of wall panels each configured to be coupled to one side of the trailer to extend generally below a storage container of the trailer at least partially along a length of the trailer. The wall panels are horizontally spaced-apart from each other.

Abstract: A trailer having a storage container, a landing gear assembly coupled to the storage container, and a rear wheel assembly coupled to the storage container includes a side skirt system for reducing drag on the trailer. The side skirt system includes a side skirt wall configured to be coupled to one side of the trailer to extend below one side wall of the trailer at least partially along a length of the trailer. A length of the side skirt wall along a top edge of the side skirt wall is approximately 48%-80% of a distance between the landing gear and forward-most position of the rear wheel assembly.

Abstract: A theft-deterrent lamp system for use with a vehicle includes a grommet and a cover. The lamp system is configured to mount with the vehicle and receive a lamp to couple the lamp with the vehicle. The lamp system is arranged to block the lamp from being separated from the vehicle without removing a portion of the lamp system from the vehicle.

Abstract: A composite panel configured for use with a sidewall of a trailer includes an outer metal sheet, an inner metal sheet, and a core member positioned between the inner and outer metal sheets. The core member includes a plurality of apertures formed therethrough such that each aperture extends from an inner surface of the core member to an outer surface of the core member. Illustratively, the plurality of apertures is covered by the inner and outer metal sheets.

Abstract: A mounting bracket is disclosed for coupling a composite floor of a cargo vehicle to a chassis of the cargo vehicle.

Abstract: A pump system for controlling a pressure load delivered to an aircraft interface included in the pump system is disclosed. The pump system includes a pump circuit, a pump, and a valve system. The pump is coupled with the conduits and is configured to provide a pressure load to the aircraft interface to move fuel from a fuel reservoir through the conduits toward the aircraft interface in a fueling mode and to move fuel from the aircraft interface through the conduits toward the fuel reservoir in a defueling mode. The valve system is coupled to the conduits and configured to control the pressure load delivered to the aircraft interface to block the pressure load from exceeding either of a high-pressure threshold and a delta-pressure threshold.

Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed having a composite cargo body assembled in a manner that may improve thermal efficiency, fuel efficiency, and costs of manufacturing.

Abstract: A locking assembly for a door of a storage container is provided. The storage container defines a door frame, and the door is movably mounted to the door frame. The locking assembly may include a first keeper secured to the door frame, a first locking cam configured to movably engage the first keeper, and a handle assembly coupled to the first locking cam. The handle assembly may be movable between a first position in which the handle assembly is in contact with the door frame and the first locking cam engages the first keeper to maintain the door in the closed position relative to the door frame and a second position in which the first locking cam disengages the first keeper to allow the door to open. The first and second positions of the handle assembly illustratively define an obtuse angle therebetween.

Abstract: A drag reduction system is configured to be coupled to a rear frame assembly of a trailer including a rear swing door and a rear frame. The drag reduction system includes a main wall panel configured to be coupled to a vertical member of the rear frame to extend generally rearwardly of the trailer at least partially along a height of the trailer. The main wall panel is pivotable relative to the rear frame between a deployed position wherein the inner surface of the wall panel is spaced-apart from the outer surface of the rear swing door, and a stowed position wherein the inner surface of the wall panel is adjacent to and engaged with the outer surface of the rear swing door.

Abstract: An aerodynamic rear drag reduction system of the present disclosure is configured to be coupled to a rear frame assembly of a trailer including a rear frame and a rear swing door. The drag reduction system includes a side panel configured to be coupled to the rear swing door to extend generally vertically at least partially along a height of the trailer; and a folding mechanism coupled to the side panel. The folding mechanism moves the side panel between (i) a fully-deployed position wherein the side panel is configured to extend generally rearwardly away from the rear end of the trailer and (ii) a fully-stowed position wherein an inner surface of at least a portion of the side panel is configured to lie generally adjacent the rear swing door. The folding mechanism is configured to be coupled to a door locking mechanism of the trailer for movement therefrom.

Abstract: An upper coupler assembly for use with a trailer includes an apron assembly and a grid assembly coupled with the apron assembly. The apron assembly is arranged to engage a coupling of a vehicle to cause the coupling to be aligned with the grid assembly when the upper coupler is being coupled with the vehicle. The grid assembly couples the upper coupler assembly with the coupling of the vehicle.

Abstract: A base rail of a trailer includes an upper portion configured to be coupled to the inner surface of a sidewall of a trailer. The upper portion includes a plurality of spaced-apart ridges configured to extend inwardly away from an inner surface of the upper portion and into a storage area of the trailer. The base rail also includes a lower portion configured to be coupled to the floor assembly of the trailer, and a bumper guard coupled to the inner surface of the upper portion and positioned between spaced-apart ridges.

Abstract: An aerodynamic rear drag reduction system of the present disclosure is configured to be coupled to a rear frame assembly of a trailer including a rear frame and a rear swing door. The drag reduction system includes a top panel configured to be coupled to the rear swing door of the trailer and a hinge configured to couple the top panel to the rear swing door. The hinge includes a planar bracket configured to be coupled to the rear swing door, an L-shaped bracket configured to be coupled to the top panel, and a hinge joint configured to couple together the planar bracket and the L-shaped bracket. The hinge joint is configured to rotate about a pivot axis that is substantially parallel to a top edge of the rear frame of the trailer when the top panel is coupled to the rear swing door.

Abstract: A method of making a composite panel configured for use with a flooring assembly of a trailer includes providing a wood substrate, making an uncured fiber-reinforced coating, and applying the uncured fiber-reinforced coating onto a surface of the wood substrate. The method further includes curing the uncured fiber-reinforced coating after applying the uncured fiber-reinforced coating onto the surface of the wood substrate.

Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed having a composite cargo body. A floor of the cargo body is constructed of a first composite material. A roof, a right sidewall, a left sidewall, and a nose of the cargo body are constructed of a second composite material different from the first composite material. Various components of the composite cargo body are bonded together with an adhesive. Mechanical fasteners also may be used to join other components of composite cargo body.

Abstract: A composite floor structure and method of making the same are disclosed. The composite floor structure may include a platform and a plurality of transverse beams. The composite floor structure may also include at least one longitudinal beam and a plurality of insert beams to accommodate the longitudinal beam. The composite floor structure may also include an underlayment between the plurality of transverse beams and the at least one longitudinal beam. Some or all of these components may be integrally molded together to form a fiber-reinforced polymer structure. The composite floor structure may be used for cargo vehicles and other applications.

Abstract: A refrigerated composite semi-trailer is disclosed that may improve thermal efficiency, fuel efficiency, and costs of manufacturing.