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

Abstract: An aerodynamic skirt system for reducing drag on a trailer includes a first side skirt wall and a second side skirt wall 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 first side skirt wall defines a first length and the second side skirt wall defines a second length smaller than the first length. The second side skirt wall is positioned generally rearward of the first side skirt wall and is side skirt wall is angled relative to the side wall of the trailer.

Abstract: A visual indicator assembly and adaptor for a trailer includes a control circuit electrically coupled to a plurality of lamps positioned in a rear header of the trailer. The control circuit is configured to supply a first voltage signal to the plurality of lamps in response to a power signal and supply a second voltage signal to the plurality of lamps in response to a brake signal. The second voltage signal is greater than the first voltage signal.

Abstract: A side rail of a floor assembly of a trailer, such as a flatbed trailer, including a channel formed in a top wall of the side rail and an aperture formed in the top wall of the side rail at a location spaced-apart from the channel. The channel extends along a length of the side rail and is configured to receive a first cargo restraint device therein. The aperture is configured to receive a second cargo restraint device therein.

Abstract: A trailer coupler assembly includes a grid assembly having a plate and a channel formed on the plate. A kingpin is received in the channel and is positioned to extend below a bottom surface of the plate. The channel is galvanized. A method of making a coupler assembly comprises the steps of providing a grid assembly having a channel, galvanizing the channel, and covering the channel.

Abstract: A rear impact guard configured to be coupled to a rear end of a trailer includes (i) a bumper support member having an upper end configured to be coupled to the rear end of the trailer, and (ii) a horizontal bumper mounted at a lower end of the bumper support member. The bumper support member includes a hollow, generally triangular prism member.

Abstract: A mud flap assembly is arranged behind a wheel of a vehicle to block mud, water, and/or debris from being thrown into the air. The mud flap assembly includes a bracket and a mud flap. The bracket couples the mud flap assembly with the vehicle. The mud flap extends downwardly away from the bracket.

Abstract: A side rail of a floor assembly of a trailer, such as a flatbed trailer, including a channel formed in a top wall of the side rail and an aperture formed in the top wall of the side rail at a location spaced-apart from the channel. The channel extends along a length of the side rail and is configured to receive a first cargo restraint device therein. The aperture is configured to receive a second cargo restraint device therein.

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 logistics post for use in a vehicle includes an inner wall and an outer wall. The logistics post is arranged to couple with panels to form a sidewall of a vehicle. At least a portion of the inner wall is spaced apart from the outer wall to form a mount passage therebetween. The inner wall includes a plurality of logistics slots that extend through the inner wall and open into the mount passage.

Abstract: An overhead door assembly configured to be coupled to a storage container, such as a truck trailer, including an overhead door including a plurality of door panels hingedly coupled to one another and a bottom roller assembly coupled to a bottom panel of the door. The bottom roller assembly includes a hinge and a roller coupled to a lower hinge plate of the hinge. The roller includes a shaft and a roller wheel coupled to one end of the shaft. Illustratively, the lower hinge plate and the roller thereon are configured to pivot about a pivot axis of the hinge relative to the bottom panel of the door between a first position generally adjacent the bottom panel of the door and a second position spaced-apart from the bottom panel of the door.

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 logistics assembly is configured to be coupled to a sidewall of a trailer. The logistics assembly includes a logistics strip configured to be coupled to an inside surface the sidewall of the trailer and a splicing plate configured to be coupled to an outside surface the sidewall of the trailer. The splicing plate is spaced-apart from the logistics strip to define a channel therebetween, and the logistics strip includes a plurality of vertically-spaced slots aligned with the channel. The logistics assembly further includes an insert engaged with the logistics strip and the splicing plate. The insert is configured to block access from inside the trailer through at least one slot of the logistics strip in order to prevent debris from entering through the slot and into a channel between the logistics strip and the splicing plate.

Abstract: A side skirt system for reducing drag on a trailer includes a side skirt wall configured to be coupled to one side of the trailer to extend below a side wall of the trailer along a length of the trailer. A mounting bracket assembly of the system is coupled to the side skirt wall and is configured to be coupled to a floor assembly of the trailer. The mounting bracket assembly is configured to tilt laterally outwardly and laterally inwardly with respect to a generally vertical axis parallel to the side wall of the trailer.

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: A side rail of a floor assembly of a trailer, such as a flatbed trailer, including a channel formed in a top wall of the side rail and an aperture formed in the top wall of the side rail at a location spaced-apart from the channel. The channel extends along a length of the side rail and is configured to receive a first cargo restraint device therein. The aperture is configured to receive a second cargo restraint device therein.

Abstract: A rear fairing system for reducing drag on a trailer includes a plurality of fairings coupled to a rear, vertical door post of the trailer. Each fairing includes (i) a mounting member adjacent to and engaged with a rearward, outer surface of the vertical door post and (ii) an air deflection member coupled to the mounting member and including a vertical portion and a curved portion which curves inwardly toward a centerline of the trailer. Each fairing is mounted to the door post at a location between hinges of a rear swing door of the trailer.

Abstract: A low profile hold down assembly is mounted to the exterior surface of a sidewall of a trailer. The hold down assembly includes a cover member formed from the same material from which the sidewall of the trailer is formed and therefore is aesthetically desirable.

Abstract: An interior deck system of a trailer includes a side rail configured to be coupled to an inner surface of a sidewall of the trailer and a panel coupled to the side rail. The panel is movable between a generally vertical, stowed position and a generally horizontal, use position. The interior deck system further includes a hinge assembly including a hinge butt coupled to the side rail and a hinge strap coupled to the panel.

Abstract: An inner wall liner of a wall panel of a refrigerated trailer includes a liner sheet formed of fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) and a scuff plate formed of FRP. The scuff plate and the liner sheet are fused together such that the scuff plate is coupled to a bottom portion of the liner sheet. The inner liner further includes an upper wall plate formed of FRP. The upper wall plate and the liner sheet are fused together such that the upper wall plate is coupled to an upper portion of the liner sheet.