Xtra Lease is adding approximately 5,000 new trailers this year, most of which will feature corrosion-fighting galvanized steel components, it said. The company is adding a mix of dry vans, liftgate vans and reefers equipped with new fuel-saving Thermo King Precedent reefer units.
For the first time, XTRA Lease will offer dry vans built with galvanized rear door frames, rear bumpers, and landing gear bracing and wing plates. Some units also will receive galvanized landing gear legs. These improvements will provide greater durability and resistance to corrosion that often plagues trailer components in harsh road and winter conditions.
As with recent XTRA Lease purchases, all 53-ft. trailers will receive fuel-saving aerodynamic side skirts, low-rolling resistance tires and trailer tracking units to help fleets attack utilization and costs.
“Spec’ing for fuel savings and corrosion protection are two of the biggest equipment challenges facing fleets today,” said Bill Franz, XTRA Lease president and CEO. “We won’t stop at investing in new trailers for our customers and in providing them solid fleet resources that help them fight operating costs and maintenance issues.”
XTRA Lease’s 2014 purchase includes a mix of 53- and 48-ft. dry vans, 53-ft. reefers, 53-, 48- and 28-ft. liftgated vans, and 48-ft. pintle-hook vans.
Thermo King’s Precedent S-600 unit provides 8-10% more fuel efficiency than older models, including, faster cooling pull-down, more efficient temperature control, and evergreen compliance with the California Air Resource Board’s requirements.
