Stoughton Trailers completes 40 mph rear impact guard test to improve trailer safety
Key takeaways
- Stoughton rear impact guard passes 40 mph test, surpassing IIHS 35 mph standard for van trailers.
- Advanced 30% overlap testing confirms trailer design reduces collision severity and protects drivers.
- Rear impact guards are now standard on all Stoughton dry van and refrigerated trailers.
Stoughton Trailers successfully completed the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Toughguard rear impact guard test at 40 mph. The company, which manufactures dry van and refrigerated trailers, has now exceeded the prior 35 mph standard for van trailers and demonstrated advanced crash protection.
The crash test was conducted on December 22 at Calspan, an independent testing facility in Buffalo, New York, using a 30% overlap rear impact protocol. Advanced simulation modeling confirms that Stoughton’s rear impact guard passes full-width, 50% overlap, and 30% overlap tests at the elevated speed of 40 mph. The kinetic energy at 40 mph is approximately 31% higher than at 35 mph.
The rear impact guard is standard on all Stoughton dry van and refrigerated trailers. Stoughton also received IIHS Toughguard recognition for its 53-ft. chassis in August 2025.
“This successful 40 mph test result shows Stoughton’s commitment to safety,” David Harkey, IIHS president, said. “Underride injuries and deaths are preventable, and we salute Stoughton for going above and beyond the minimum requirements. Through a shared commitment to safety with partners throughout our transportation system, we can achieve our 30X30 goal of a 30% reduction in road deaths by 2030.”
