Great Dane’s newest dry freight van, The Composite, was shown for the first time at the 2007 Mid-America Trucking Show. It signals the company’s intention to increase its
penetration of the truckload carrier segment. The new trailer is said to offer superior strength and durability, and with a full 101-in. interior width and a standard .30-in. panel thickness, the composite design also means increased cubic capacity.

Among its features are a very strong rear frame made of high-strength tubular steel and a reinforced header-to-top-rail connection, both to minimize racking and to ensure that the frame remains square throughout the trailer’s life. Additional strength comes from a two-crossmember rear frame connection that distributes the stresses of dock impact.

A full-length, one-piece, extruded-aluminum bottom rail with integral scuffband design adds strength and rigidity in the lower sidewall, helping to reduce sidewall bulging. An additional 7 in. of galvanized steel scuff installed above the aluminum scuff provides a total of 13 in. of protection from forklift damage.

Logistic posts recessed at panel connections allow for a flush interior to eliminate damaging snag points while still providing vertical logistic slots for cargo securement.

A unique top rail and gasket design overlaps the top of the side panels and posts of the trailer to ensure superior protection against water intrusion. Four hat-section uprights and two additional corner posts add strength to the front wall while providing square interior corners for maximum cargo loading.