LOUISVILLE, KY. Great Dane announced it has completely redesigned its entire product line to meet the evolving needs of its customers by incorporating state-of-the-art technology, materials and features into its base models here this week at the Mid-America Trucking Show.
Great Dane said its all-new Champion dry freight van has standard features that “boldly stand up to the challenges of everyday abuse and result in reduced maintenance costs, long service life and a solid return on investment.”
The Champion SE model offers heavy-duty productivity for fleets; the CL can be highly specified for a variety of hauling applications; and the CP boasts Great Dane’s proven composite panel technology.
A key improvement on all Champion models is Great Dane’s new standard dry van rear frame, EnduroGuard, which the trailer maker said combines superior strength with corrosion resistance to withstand the elements and last a lifetime. Extruded aluminum bottom rails are securely fastened with aluminum rivets to I-beam crossmembers. Galvanized steel, anti-snag roof bows offer durability and longevity. Standard composite swing-type rear doors with dual-seal gaskets have galvanized steel skins and a resilient polymer core, which eliminate corrosion associated with moisture absorption in plywood cores.
All Great Dane trailers, including Champion freight vans, now come with Stemco’s Platinum Performance Plus wheel end system backed by an extended six-year warranty. In addition, Grote Micro Nova DOT LED lamps improve visibility and safety for drivers. And Great Dane’s Long Life Light System combines the flexibility of a custom wiring system with the durability of a fully sealed modular harness. The Long Life Light System is called “truly a maintenance free solution” by Great Dane as it prevents moisture intrusion and comes with a 10-year warranty.
One of the available options for Champion CP is a lightweight package that incorporates a heavy-duty base rail with a lighter weight side panel and is designed specifically for floor loading operations, such as in the beverage industry.
Composite panels for the Champion model are manufactured using a synthesis of proven techniques and the highest design standards in the industry, the trailer maker stated. Completely smooth interior walls withstand repeated snagging of cargo and inevitable forklift damage, resulting in a reduction in maintenance time and expense. A laminated hardwood floor reinforced with a composite underlayer rated for up to 24,000-lb. and Alcoa aluminum wheels are additional examples of durable but weight-saving options on the Champion.
The undercarriage and support gear of Champion trailers can include CorroGuard, the key component in Great Dane’s comprehensive corrosion prevention package. CorroGuard was developed specifically for trailer underbody protection from rock and stone impingement, de-icing chemicals and road hazards.
The entire series of Everest reefers, including TL and SS models for long-haul truckload carriers and CL for specialized, foodservice and multi-temp applications, has been re-engineered with stringent standards to be tougher, last longer and operate more efficiently than its predecessors and competitors, stated Great Dane.
New standards for all Everest reefers include reinforced features like a stainless steel rear frame for superior strength and corrosion resistance, a patented corrugated aluminum roof that adds stiffness to the structure, and PunctureGuard interior lining, a lightweight, puncture resistant, glass-reinforced thermoplastic material produced exclusively by Great Dane.
Also standard are aluminum doors with a unique dual-sealed gasket, which eliminates moisture intrusion and locks in refrigerated air. The industry’s highest-rated flooring system features aluminum ducts and full-width composite floor sills to protect the trailer from moisture damage from the inside and out.
All models in Great Dane’s new Freedom flatbed series deliver strength and durability at a competitive weight and price, according to the manufacturer. Offered in steel, combination steel and aluminum, and all aluminum models, the Freedom is designed to meet the needs of all types of platform operations.
The Freedom SE is a heavy-duty all-steel trailer with available straight, drop or extendable body styles. Greta Dane said “this dynamo is also a corrosion-buster with structural steel side rails and other steel components that are shot-blasted and then protected with a high quality two-part paint process composed of an epoxy primer and black urethane topcoat.”
The Freedom LT combo steel and aluminum trailer is exceptionally lightweight but built for performance with unique features that offer weight savings and reduced maintenance costs, said Great Dane.
The versatile, ultra-lightweight Freedom XP is rated to handle up to 120,000 lbs of uniformly distributed loads, but designed to be 1,000 lbs lighter than its combination counterpart.
Standard lighting on all Freedom platform models includes LED lamps for improved visibility and longer service life and the Great Dane Long Life Light System, a maintenance-free, fully modular and sealed system covered by a ten-year warranty.
Due to the popularity of the entire Freedom platform line, Great Dane noted it has established its Dallas, TX, company-owned branch location to serve as a distribution hub for flatbeds beginning April 1st. This branch, located at 4115 Port Blvd. will serve as the “go-to site” for Freedom sales, factory and aftermarket parts and accessories.
