Abstract: A reinforcing latching means for maintaining the integrity of the upper tailgate-sidewall joint closure in a refuse carrier with a vertically hinged tailgate assembly including a handle disposed along the bottom of the tailgate which mechanically rotates a vertically oriented control shaft and is operatively connected to at least one horizontally disposed latching rod means horizontally moveably along the tailgate for controlling the engaging and disengaging of said at least one latching rod means with a latching plate means disposed along the exterior lateral surface of the sidewall.

Abstract: An open-top trailer body hinged top cover comprising two longitudinal half-frame sections is disclosed in which powered rotating arms having rollers set in tracks which form the cabside ends of half-frames each covering half of the trailer body opening such that when the arms rotated the half-frames will open or close by the rollers moving along the tracks and the rollers will slidably adjust to correct misalignment and ensure closure.