The Importance and Application of Underbody Coatings for Trucks

Corrosion Prevention for Cargo Trucks: Protecting Your Fleet from the Elements

Corrosion is one of the most significant threats to the longevity and performance of cargo trucks. Whether you manage a large fleet or a single truck, exposure to the elements, road salts, and chemicals can lead to rust, deterioration, and costly repairs. Preventing corrosion is essential for maintaining your vehicle's appearance and ensuring structural integrity, safety, and efficiency.

Manufacturers of toy haulers, sports equipment, and ATV trailers are increasing their designs with larger cargo capacities to accommodate oversized vehicles, such as side-by-sides (UTVs) and motorcycles. Some are designed to serve multiple purposes, doubling as utility trailers for hauling equipment or as camping trailers with tent attachments, providing versatility for different outdoor activities.

There's a growing demand for more customization options, allowing buyers to tailor their trailers with specific features and layouts to suit their needs. Toy haulers are calling for luxury amenities such as high-end kitchens, bathrooms, and entertainment systems to make them more attractive for extended stays. Flexibility in interior layouts is also becoming popular, with modular designs that can transform the trailer space into living quarters, equipment storage, or a workspace, depending on the user's needs.

Sports equipment trailers are increasingly designed with custom storage solutions such as racks, compartments, and adjustable shelving to optimize space for specific sports equipment like bikes, skis, snowboards, and fishing gear. In the ATV trailer market, customization extends to overall trailer size and layout, storage compartments, and optional accessories like toolboxes or spare tire mounts.

Manufacturers increasingly focus on lightweight yet durable materials, such as aluminum and composite materials, to enhance fuel efficiency. These materials are durable enough to withstand rugged off-road conditions, featuring rugged suspensions, all-terrain tires, and improved ground clearance while reducing overall weight for greater fuel economy.

Trailers are increasingly equipped with smart technology, including remote monitoring systems, GPS tracking systems, automated leveling systems, and integrated entertainment controls, to enhance convenience, security, and comfort during travel. Many have also integrated LED lighting for greater visibility.

There’s also a growing emphasis on energy-efficient features. Along with the previously mentioned LED lighting, many toy haulers and some trailers are now being outfitted with solar panels for auxiliary power and eco-friendly materials.

Another growing trend is constructing trailers with integrated loading ramps, winch systems, and hydraulic lifts that make loading and unloading heavy or bulky sports equipment, ATVs, motorcycles, and snowmobiles easier.

Enhanced safety features such as upgraded suspension systems, anti-sway technology, anti-theft measures, advanced braking systems, and reflective markings or lights for better visibility in low-light conditions are becoming more prevalent. Specialized racks, tie-down points, and adjustable straps explicitly designed to securely hold ATVs in place during transport and minimize movement and potential damage are also being integrated.

These trends in the toy hauler, ATV, and sports equipment trailer markets reflect an ongoing evolution driven by advancements in materials, technology, and consumer preferences for versatile and durable trailers tailored to support various recreational activities. Innovations are geared toward enhancing convenience, safety, and versatility. These trends indicate a growing diversification and sophistication of adventure enthusiasts and those seeking more comfort and convenience on the road.

What to consider when choosing work truck lighting.

Work trucks are durable vehicles built to handle heavy loads, withstand adverse weather conditions and rough terrain, and endure high mileage. The lighting you choose for your work truck has to match that durability. Work truck lights must be highly durable to function properly in all types of weather, plus they have to withstand vibration and impacts. Today’s LEDs offer long life, low power consumption, and resistance to harsh environments.

Through the first half of 2024, the truck and trailer market continues to show signs of stabilizing. The market recovery from the excess capacity that originated during the pandemic due to an increase in new trucking companies has been slow. While there has been a reduction in the number of operating carriers, the adjustment and recovery have been slow. According to an article by Trailer/Body Builders, “The good news: The pandemic disruption and recovery have largely run their course, and traditional market cycles seem to be falling into place. The bad news: The freight cycle bottomed out in 2023, and the rebound remains on the horizon; that means that the heavy-duty trailer and truck markets can expect a down year in 2024.”

Companies are encouraged to focus on new trends as the market recovers to maintain competitiveness. Chris Bouchard writes, “The trailer industry is undergoing a transformative period, marked by innovative designs, technological advancements, and a heightened focus on sustainability. Encompassing recreational trailers to tractor trailers, several trends are shaping the future of this essential automotive industry sector.”

Rotary ventilators are widely used in large fleets of commercial vans. They’re generally specified for three reasons:

The first is to extract fumes or stale air from vans for driver and passenger comfort, health, and safety. This applies especially to vans carrying gas cylinders, inflammable liquids, chemicals, or other potentially harmful volatile substances.

Another is to minimize condensation within vehicles. Cooled air inside a vehicle mixed with warmer, humid external air or vice versa can result in severe condensation, poor visibility, mold growth, and musty smells. Vehicles are especially prone to condensation:

Adequate ventilation significantly reduces the damage to equipment and goods inside the vehicle and the deterioration of the vehicle’s interior through water build-up and mold growth.

Whether you're going off-road, off the grid, or off to work, you want to be sure your vehicle has the right gear for the day's adventure. We know how important it is to have a reliable, safe ride and one well-equipped for the day's journey- whatever that may be. You work hard, and your truck should work equally as hard for you.

With the costs of fuel and products rising – you want to be sure your truck is in it for the long haul. Protecting your vehicle with the right products not only preserves the life of your truck but it gives you peace of mind. There are several easy ways to ensure your truck is in top shape. Most manufacturers have a recommended list of maintenance items at mileage intervals to help make sure your vehicle is working correctly and has a long life span.

One of the best ways to take care of your vehicle is to stay up to date on routine maintenance – Staying up to date on recommended factory maintenance is crucial to the longevity of your vehicle. A preventative maintenance schedule keeps you from dealing with costly repairs down the line.

A simple maintenance checklist will help you stay on track for repairs and maintenance for commercial vehicles, trucks, and vans, or your adventure vehicle or pickup truck. Below is a list of five easy things you can do to take care of your vehicle.

You rely on your pick-up truck to haul all sorts of things. Whether it’s for work or play, you use your truck hard and want it to last a long, long time. You also know that the cargo you’re hauling around can scratch, gouge, dent, and ding your pick-up’s bed, reducing its useful life.  

To protect the bed from damage and rust, you can install a bed-liner. The two most common types of bed-liners are drop-in and spray-on.  

Drop-in liners are typically hard plastic or rubber and are “dropped in” to the back of the truck. Unfortunately, unless the drop-in liner is specifically designed for your truck’s make and model, this may not be the best option.  

When it comes to work truck safety, staying safe on the road is just as important as keeping your equipment safe, secure, and up to date. In addition to keeping your truck safe, it is essential always to follow DOT guidelines and ensure that your team knows local and state safety regulations.

Keeping your work truck means knowing when to stay safe and finding the right products that assist with your safety and peace of mind. At Austin Hardware®, we know trucks, and we know a thing or two about providing quality parts and products for your work truck.

When it comes to outfitting your work truck with the best on the market, let Austin Hardware® be your guide for all things work-truck related. We carry the top of line merchandise from lighting, drawer systems, handles, hinges, locking mechanisms, and more. Even better, Austin Guaranteed Engineered Solutions™ provides businesses like yours with state-of-the-art products guaranteed to give you the solutions you need.