Great Dane introduces three new products at MATS

Avatar photo

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Great Dane introduced three new products at the Mid-America Trucking Show.

Designed specifically for truckload carriers, the new Super LT reefer aims to serve the truckload market in the Eastern U.S. and Canada. Great Dane’s newest refrigerated trailer draws from the strength of its Classic and the durability and light weight of its SuperSeal products.

The Super LT is available in 48- and 53-foot lengths with a 102-inch width and includes an extruded aluminum scuffband as standard in 10 inches, with 16 and 22 inches available as an option. The Super LT show trailer is constructed with PunctureGuard Plus interior lining. The lining is created with a manufacturing process that thermally joins the woven thermoplastic and glass fibers into continuous rigid panels. Conventional fiberglass reinforced plastic panels typically contain between 23 per cent and 30 per cent glass content combined with thermoset polyester vinyl resin in a process that involves random distribution of the glass fibers. In comparison, PunctureGuard’s manufacturing process begins with a uniform distribution of the glass fibers, which results in a lighter-weight product that is stronger and tougher than currently used polyester resin panels, according to Great Dane.

“The demand for lighter weight, longer life trailers was the driving force in the development of the Super LT,” said Chris Adkins, senior vice-president of sales & marketing. “This new trailer meets those demands without sacrificing the traditional strength and durability of a Great Dane. We combined our most popular spec’s with a select number of options at a competitive price, which makes the Super LT the product of choice for the long-haul truckload carrier.”

The Super LT uses Great Dane’s Model 60 landing gear, which has a lift capacity of 60,000 lbs. The mount spreads the load over five crossmembers. Each leg is strongly braced to withstand the stresses of coupling and uncoupling a loaded trailer. Support gear mounts are recessed from the side rails to protect against damage. Replaceable shock mounted sandshoes reduce stresses in the mount by 50 per cent.

The front end is designed with impact resistance in mind. An extruded aluminum front impact plate wraps around the front of the trailer. The front impact plate protects the bottom of the front and radius corners from damage caused by tractor fifth wheel and other sources. Four two-inch deep extruded aluminum Z-post uprights provide a rigid framework for the front sheets. Front panels of 0.050-inch aluminum are riveted to the uprights on two-inch centers for strength and service. As standard, air and electrical connections are offset to the roadside for driver convenience, although other locations are available.

Refrigeration unit bracing is fabricated of a 4.625-inch wide by 2.75-inch deep extruded aluminum J-channel. The use of heavy-duty extruded aluminum in the place of traditional steel frames saves significant weight. And, the aluminum frame will never be subject to corrosion or to bleeding rust streaks that can appear around front wall rivets, said company officials.

Crossmembers in the bay area, located between the landing gear and the running gear, are five inches deep, high-strength, extruded aluminum I-beams. Company officials say this extra inch of height contributes to a higher live-axle floor rating and provides a stiffer and stronger crossmember without increasing weight. Four-inch steel, I-beam crossmembers are used over the support gear bracing and over the running gear. Four-inch aluminum crossmembers are used from the landing gear bracing forward. All crossmembers are on 12-inch centers for increased strength and longer life.

The sides of the Super LT are constructed of 0.040-inch corrugated aluminum side sheets. The roof is a 0.040-inch one-piece aluminum sheet with submerged aluminum roof bows on 32-inch centers.

The Super LT comes standard with Accuride-styled steel disc wheels. The wheels are powder top-coated, highly corrosion-resistant and have the look of aluminum wheels with the cost of a steel wheel.

Standard flooring is a 1.38-inches deep, non-ridged, extruded aluminum duct floor fully welded to seal out all moisture. A full width floor sill over each crossmember is standard. Apitong hardwood is used as floor sills the full length of the trailer to provide extra support for the floor.

Other typical Great Dane specifications include dual compression-sealed doors, completely recessed stop/tail/turn lights, and underride protection.

New flatbed line

Also introduced at the Mid-America Trucking Show were Great Dane’s new Freedom line of flatbeds, specifically designed for an “in stock” program.

The flatbeds are designed to be easily modified at the branch or dealer with add-ons such as toolboxes, tire carriers, bulk heads, winches and straps. They include an integral winch track, and modular construction.

At 102 inches wide, Freedom flatbeds are available in two spec’s: 12-inch crossmember spacing for extra strength in forklift operations and 16-inch crossmember spacing for heavy-load hauling where trailer weight must be kept at a minimum. The drop deck is standard with a deck height of 40 inches.

The unique floor system design, featuring crossmembers that connect to the main beam web with no welding gives improved fatigue life for long-lasting service, said company officials.

The 1.25-inch aluminum floor with four apitong nail strips adds versatility for load securement. Chain tie-downs are recessed in the floor to secure loads. Double pipe spools and stake pockets on 24-inch centers are standard.

The aluminum winch track includes ten winches the full length of the roadside track so customers are not tied to proprietary components. Aluminum track can be one side, both sides or deleted from the order.

The Freedom offers a steel front end with reinforcements for rated bulkheads, a 48-inch coupler height and a 30-inch kingpin location. Reinforcing “doubler plates” in the high stress regions of the gooseneck and gussets in the suspension area increase durability and eliminate cracking.

The rear crossmember is constructed of extruded aluminum to save weight and reduce maintenance costs. The five rear stake pockets are recessed within the rear crossmember for impact protection. Heavy-duty tubular rear corners have full-depth bumper blocks for additional protection against dock impact.

Great Dane’s rear impact guard is made of carbon steel and is standard on all Freedom models, even when the tires are in a “set-back” position. Hendrickson’s INTRAAX air-spring suspension with 121-inch axle centers is standard. The steel disc wheels, pre-painted white, come standard in 24.5 x 8.25 with 12-inch crossmember spacing or 22.5 x 8.25 with 16-inch crossmember spacing.

For more information visit at www.greatdanetrailers.com

Avatar photo

Truck News is Canada's leading trucking newspaper - news and information for trucking companies, owner/operators, truck drivers and logistics professionals working in the Canadian trucking industry.


Have your say


This is a moderated forum. Comments will no longer be published unless they are accompanied by a first and last name and a verifiable email address. (Today's Trucking will not publish or share the email address.) Profane language and content deemed to be libelous, racist, or threatening in nature will not be published under any circumstances.

*