Future of the Flatbed Trailers

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Future of the Flatbed Trailers
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• The flatbed trailer market is set to increase by
  five per cent in the next three years according
  to an industry report despite concerns over the
  COVID-19 pandemic. But experts have predicted a
  slump in the market in the longer term because
  the industry is not growing year on year.

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• Growth of the flatbed trailer marker across the
  world has been driven by newly flourishing
  economies in South America, the Middle East and
  Eastern Europe who have been seeing a spike in
  manufacturing and construction work, so the
  demand of transport and logistics is rocketing.

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• Market Research Company Technavio released the
  report forecasting the state of the industry
  across the world.
• But another report has shown that short term
  sales in the European markets have taken a big
  hit due to the global COVID-19 crisis.

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• The Clear International report said it
  anticipated sales would be down 13 in the first
  quarter of 2020, but the pandemic has hit the
  industry as factories were forced to close and
  new forecasts are suggesting a 23 dip in the
  market for quarter one and a massive 42 drop in
  quarter two. Experts are hoping the market will
  rally in quarter four if the virus does not
  spread out of control in a second spike.

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• Last year, US production of truck-trailers was
  solid with 25 companies across the country
  producing more than 300,000 trailers. This is the
  ninth year in a row that the industry has
  produced more than 200,000 units in a year, and
  it was a two per cent growth on 2018.
• The four biggest names in the trailer market
  built 70 - Hyundai Translead, Wabash National,
  Utility Trailer Manufacturing and Great Dane
  Limited Partnership.

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• Flatbed trailers are not just used for industry.
  Many people use trailers to move boats to lakes,
  RVs to camping sites or even to transport their
  latest garden center purchases back to their
  homes.
• Industry safety experts launched a campaign last
  week to raise awareness of safe driving with
  trailers and to encourage the production of
  quality products from manufacturers.

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• The National Association of Trailer Manufacturers
  (NATM) used its third annual National Trailer
  Safety Week to warn trailer drivers and
  manufacturers about the importance of safe towing
  and manufacturer best practice.

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• The NATM and its campaign supporter Americana
  Tire and Wheel (ATW) said that many drivers did
  not realize how something as simple as the tire
  pressure would have such a big impact on the
  performance of the trailer on their journey. They
  said load capacity, air pressure and proper tire
  maintenance were key factors for drivers to
  consider when using trailers safely.

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• The NATM and ATW has issued its seven top tips
  for trailer safety and appealed to drivers to
  take note for their safety and the safety of
  others on the road
• Inspect the car, trailer and load before setting
  off on the journey
• Keep an eye on speed and make sure there is a big
  enough distance between you nd the car in front

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• Check the load capacity of the tires and do not
  exceed it. Ensure 60 of the load is at the front
  of the trailer
• Adjust tire pressure according to the load
  weight, so it will need to change once you have
  dropped off your load
• Stopping distances will be different if a vehicle
  is pulling a trailer, so be aware of this and
  know that it is at least 325-foot gap or around
  five seconds between vehicles or obstacles in
  front

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• If the trailer begins to sway, take the gas off,
  take the brakes off, steer straight and wait for
  it to correct itself. Steering to try to control
  the sway will make it worse. If the trailer has
  its own brakes, you can very gently apply the
  trailer brakes
• Check the tires after use to make sure they have
  not been damage and make sure you store your
  trailer properly as tires can deteriorate if they
  are left exposed to the elements for long periods
  

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• The NATM suggested drivers use a checklist to
  make sure their cargo is safe before travelling.
• Check tire pressure of the trailer, the car and
  then spare tires before setting off
• Make sure all the nuts and bolts on the wheels
  and the trailer are all tightened

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• Ensure the load is secure on the trailer and not
  subject to moving around
• Check the lights, brake lights, turn signals and
  the hazard lights are all working correctly
• Look up your route and ensure there are no bridge
  or tunnel restrictions.

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• The organization says it is committed to making
  roadways safer one trailer at a time and appealed
  to anyone who wanted to get involved with their
  campaign manufacturers, road safety groups,
  local authorities or trailer users to get in
  touch.

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Contact details

• Business Name Roadlinx Inc
• Address 6201 Highway 7 West, Unit 2, Vaughan,
  ON L4H 0K7
• Phone Number 905-760-1141
• Email info_at_roadlinx.com
• Website https//www.roadlinx.com/blog/