Our first aerodynamic trailer was suitably named the Aerolite™. It was first built back in 1989, long before fuel costs sky rocketed to the level they are at today. It saved just as much fuel then, as it does now, but the dollar value of the savings has obviously increased. Because of today's tighter margins the sensitivity to fuel costs, and other operational efficiencies have become more important to the trucking community.
Since 1989, we have introduced 2 other aerodynamic trailers, the SST™ and the Wave®. We will discuss more about those trailer models later.
First, let's review the basics of aerodynamics. Everybody knows that improving fuel economy by reducing wind drag saves money, but most people never put the pencil to the economics behind it. Most don't really understand how large the savings can be!
Prior to about December of 1999, fuel was around a dollar a gallon, and at that time, the cost of fuel represented about 20% of a truckers revenue. When fuel rose to $1.50 (assuming that the hauling rate did not immediately and proportionally increase), fuel suddenly represented about 30% of a trucker's revenue, a 50% increase in a very significant item. This only served to reduce profit dramatically, or in most cases, send truckers into an unprofitable situation. With typical profit margins at less than 10%, the change in fuel costs indeed often resulted in losses. Further adding to the problem was/is the inability of truckers to increase prices to their customers quickly, either because of competitive pressures, or the hope that the fuel cost would go back down just as quickly as it went up.
Because a trucker cannot control the price of fuel, he must control fuel usage, to the best of his ability. He must do anything and everything that is economically feasible. Here is a good example of the economics facing the trucker relative to fuel economy:
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Let's say you drive 10,000 miles per month, and get 5.0 miles per gallon, you will use 2000 gallons of fuel per month.
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If you can increase fuel economy by 10%, this scenario changes. If you drive the same 10,000 miles per month, but get 5.5 miles per gallon, you will use 1818 gallons of fuel. That's 182 gallons less! 182 gallons at $1.50 is $273 per month less. That's $273 more dollars left in your checking account, which adds up to $3,276.00 more profit per year, every year. This result from only a ? mile per gallon increase in fuel economy, which from our experience is attainable by changing from a post-sided trailer to a smooth sided trailer. Depending on your situation, your truck, your trailer height, your route, your distances traveled, your experience will vary, but most operators report at least a quarter miler per gallon increase, and some are dramatically more.
It shouldn't matter if fuel prices go back to a dollar, or go on above $2.00. Either way, the saved fuel represents money that you can take off of your expenses, and keep in your pocket. This money will go a long way toward making the payment for a new trailer. If you are already in the market for a new trailer, why not choose the more efficient design? The evidence of long-term benefits should convince you to consider aerodynamic efficiency as an important part of your decision process. Since, you will probably own a new trailer for at least 5 years, a savings of just $250 per month, would add $15,000 to your bottom line. Also, because of its improved efficiency, the trailer will be worth more to the next guy. The increased resale value further increases the economy of aerodynamics.
We offer 3 aerodynamic end-dump trailers, and one bottom dump trailer. All are also designed with other features and benefits that suit the users we targeted for each model.
Briefly, these are:
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The Aerolite™. (End-dump and bottom-dump) This model had its debut in 1989. It is our single-walled smooth side that has a full-length longitudinal beam down the inside of the interior wall. This trailer is well suited for aggregates such as sand and gravel haulers, and lends itself nicely to a more narrow body, for even more aerodynamic efficiency.
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The SST™. (Patented) This model was introduced in 1993, and its design was stimulated by customers who wanted aerodynamic related fuel economy for over-the-road hauling, a forklift capable floor for backhaul loading/unloading versatility, cosmetic relief from dings caused by hauling rough commodities, and, in some cases matching colors on trucks and trailers, or a smooth trailer wall for company advertising. It is still a very viable choice for rough applications that travel long distances and can benefit from the fuel economies achieved by the outer walls.
- The Wave® (Patented) (End-dump and bottom-dump) The Wave® was introduced in 2003. It features an extruded dual-walled design, in full-trailer length panels that are thicker on the inside, and thinner on the outside. The outer wall is slightly corrugated, for strength, and it is highly polished. From about 5 feet away, you can't even see the solid robotic weld that fastens each panel to the next. Best of all, even after adding all of this strength, function and beauty, it weighs no more than our Classic® side post trailer. Combining all of the best features of a smooth side trailer, the Wave® also has a boxed rub-rail, making it forklift compatible. Insulation can easily be added to the inner cavity of the walls for temperature sensitive commodities such as asphalt.
All 3 models feature unique styling, ease of cleaning, and Travis®' promise of quality, and commitment to satisfaction. Of course, we are always happy to customize the trailer to suit you exactly, to best match your application and special needs.
More information about all of these models, and the rest of our product line up, is available on our website, where you can also specify a trailer to suit your application, and have a custom proposal created for you based on your request, or send us an email to request more information.
No one has a broader line of end dump trailers. We can custom tailor a trailer to meet your specific needs. Don't let someone shoehorn you into his cookie cutter design.
A trailer purchase is a large investment. Study your options. Know what you are getting, have confidence in who you are getting it from, and demand that they offer the best of what is available, and that they have done their homework, and that they will stand behind it, like we do.