Stoughton Trailers has introduced new design features for its Z-Plate and Aluminum Sheet and Post Trailers. According to the company, these new dry van components were designed to reduce maintenance, improve durability, increase interior space and to be common or standard so they are interchangeable between the Z-Plate and the Aluminum Sheet & Post.
The new features include (with descriptions by the company):
- Top tail and roof bows assembly: The new top rail design allows for the side-wall sheet to extend up behind the lower portion of the top rail to improve water shedding. By eliminating drilling holes in the Top Rail, water tightness is improved. The roof bows are now connected using a T-bolt and slot design. This allows replacement roof bows to be installed entirely on the inside of the trailer, reducing installation time and the need for exterior scaffolding. The roof bow is pushed up into position, making the replacement process cleaner. There is no caulk smearing, which occurs on competitive trailers where the roof bows have to rotate up over a flange.
- Front wall assembly: Dry van corner posts and top corner castings are now common corner components, allowing them to be interchangeable, reducing the number of parts needed for trailer repair. In addition, the new design increases the Sheet and Post corner panel to .125 in. from its original .050-in. thickness. The casting profile overlaps with the top rail to provide improved fit and better water shed. The new corner posts create a square interior corner, allowing full-width cargo placement to extend to the front lining.
- Z-Plate lower rail: The lower rail is 3-1⁄2 in. taller, allowing rivets to be placed 3-1⁄2 in. higher. By moving the rivets away from the scrape zone, durability is improved. The new Aluminum Side Rail & Scuff combination has been increased to a full 12-in. height. The scuff prevents damage from loading and unloading with no exposed attachments that loads can snag or tear out.
