Abstract: A platform trailer includes a neck reinforcement structure located in the neck region. The neck reinforcement structure includes a first beam reinforcement structure located adjacent an inner side of the first beam that is oriented toward the second beam, and a second beam reinforcement structure located adjacent an inner side of the second beam that is oriented toward the first beam. A plurality of internal cross members extend between and interconnect the first and second beam reinforcement structures. A fifth wheel plate is fixedly secured to and that extends between both the first and second beams. A kingpin is connected to the fifth wheel plate and is adapted to be engaged by an associated tractor fifth wheel. The neck reinforcement structure allows for use of aluminum alloy beams with a reduced height in the neck region of the trailer.

Abstract: A platform of a trailer includes spaced-apart left and right side rails and a plurality of extruded aluminum panels that each extend from a left lateral end abutted with said left side rail to a right lateral end abutted with said right side rail. Each of the panels includes an upper wall, a lower wall spaced-apart from the upper wall, and first and second spaced-apart end walls that are connected to and extend between the upper and lower walls. The extruded aluminum panels are abutted in series with the first end wall of one panel abutted with the second end wall of an adjacent abutted panel such that the respective upper walls of adjacent abutted panels of the platform together define an upper, cargo supporting surface of the platform. The platform is arched to correspond with the arch of the first and second beams.

Abstract: A trailer includes a chassis and a trailer body connected to the chassis. The trailer body includes left and right vertical side walls and a curved floor. The left and right side walls each include a plurality of extruded panels each including an inner wall and an outer wall spaced from the inner wall.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present development, a platform trailer includes a chassis comprising first and second aluminum beams each including an upper flange and a lower flange connected by a web. The first and second beams are arranged parallel to each other and each extend from a forward end to a rear end in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the trailer. The first and second beams are each defined with an arch comprising an upwardly oriented apex located between the forward and rear ends. At least one axle assembly connected to the chassis and includes a left wheel and tire assembly and a right wheel and tire assembly. A platform is supported on the first and second beams of the chassis. The platform includes spaced-apart left and right side rails and a plurality of extruded aluminum panels that each extend from a left lateral end abutted with said left side rail to a right lateral end abutted with said right side rail.

Abstract: A trailer includes a chassis and a trailer body connected to the chassis. The trailer body includes left and right vertical side walls and a curved floor. The left and right side walls each include a plurality of extruded panels each including an inner wall and an outer wall spaced from the inner wall.

Abstract: A trailer includes a chassis and a trailer body connected to the chassis. The trailer body includes left and right vertical side walls and a curved floor. The left and right side walls each include a plurality of extruded panels each including an inner wall and an outer wall spaced from the inner wall.

Abstract: A platform trailer includes a neck reinforcement structure located in the neck region. The neck reinforcement structure includes a first beam reinforcement structure located adjacent an inner side of the first beam that is oriented toward the second beam, and a second beam reinforcement structure located adjacent an inner side of the second beam that is oriented toward the first beam. A plurality of internal cross members extend between and interconnect the first and second beam reinforcement structures. A fifth wheel plate is fixedly secured to and that extends between both the first and second beams. A kingpin is connected to the fifth wheel plate and is adapted to be engaged by an associated tractor fifth wheel. The neck reinforcement structure allows for use of aluminum alloy beams with a reduced height in the neck region of the trailer.

Abstract: A platform trailer neck reinforcement structure includes a first beam reinforcement structure that includes: (i) a first beam inner insert connected to an inner side of the first beam; and, (ii) and a first beam outer insert connected to an outer side of the first beam. The neck reinforcement structure also includes a second beam reinforcement structure that includes: (i) a second beam inner insert connected to an inner side of the second beam; and, (ii) and a second beam outer insert connected to an outer side of the second beam. Internal cross members extend between and interconnect the first beam inner insert and the second beam inner insert. A first group of external cross members are located between the first beam outer insert and the left side rail, and a second group of external cross members are located between the second beam outer insert and the right side rail.

Abstract: A platform trailer includes a neck reinforcement structure located in the neck region. The neck reinforcement structure includes a first beam reinforcement structure located adjacent an inner side of the first beam that is oriented toward the second beam, and a second beam reinforcement structure located adjacent an inner side of the second beam that is oriented toward the first beam. A plurality of internal cross members extend between and interconnect the first and second beam reinforcement structures. A fifth wheel plate is fixedly secured to and that extends between both the first and second beams. A kingpin is connected to the fifth wheel plate and is adapted to be engaged by an associated tractor fifth wheel. The neck reinforcement structure allows for use of aluminum alloy beams with a reduced height in the neck region of the trailer.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present development, a platform trailer includes a chassis comprising first and second aluminum beams each including an upper flange and a lower flange connected by a web. The first and second beams are arranged parallel to each other and each extend from a forward end to a rear end in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the trailer. The first and second beams are each defined with an arch comprising an upwardly oriented apex located between the forward and rear ends. At least one axle assembly connected to the chassis and includes a left wheel and tire assembly and a right wheel and tire assembly. A platform is supported on the first and second beams of the chassis. The platform includes spaced-apart left and right side rails and a plurality of extruded aluminum panels that each extend from a left lateral end abutted with said left side rail to a right lateral end abutted with said right side rail.

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 platform trailer includes first and second aluminum beams. The first and second beams are defined with an arch. A platform is supported on the first and second beams. The platform includes a plurality of extruded aluminum panels that each extend from a left lateral end abutted with the left side rail to a right lateral end abutted with the right side rail. The extruded aluminum panels are abutted in series with the first end wall of one panel abutted with the second end wall of an adjacent abutted panel such that the respective upper walls of adjacent abutted panels of the platform together define an upper, cargo supporting surface of the platform. The platform is arched to correspond with the arch of the first and second beams. A method for constructing the platform trailer is also disclosed.

Abstract: A trailer includes a chassis and a trailer body connected to the chassis. The trailer body includes left and right vertical side walls and a curved floor. The left and right side walls each include a plurality of extruded panels each including an inner wall and an outer wall spaced from the inner wall.

Abstract: A platform trailer includes a neck reinforcement structure located in the neck region. The neck reinforcement structure includes a first beam reinforcement structure located adjacent an inner side of the first beam that is oriented toward the second beam, and a second beam reinforcement structure located adjacent an inner side of the second beam that is oriented toward the first beam. A plurality of internal cross members extend between and interconnect the first and second beam reinforcement structures. A fifth wheel plate is fixedly secured to and that extends between both the first and second beams. A kingpin is connected to the fifth wheel plate and is adapted to be engaged by an associated tractor fifth wheel. The neck reinforcement structure allows for use of aluminum alloy beams with a reduced height in the neck region of the trailer.

Abstract: A trailer includes a chassis and a trailer body connected to the chassis. The trailer body includes left and right vertical side walls and a curved floor. The left and right side walls each include a plurality of extruded panels each including an inner wall and an outer wall spaced from the inner wall.

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 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.