Wabash to introduce new rear impact guard

US trailer manufacturer Wabash National will introduce a new rear impact guard design option for its 53-foot dry van trailers at the American Trucking Associations’ (ATA) Technology and Maintenance Council (TMC) annual meeting in Nashville, Tennessee.

The RIG-16 Rear Underride Guard System is reportedly constructed of high-strength galvanised steel and engineered to prevent underride in multiple offset or overlap impact scenarios.

“Safety is our number one value and priority, and we have a responsibility to our customers and the motoring public to continue to advance our trailer designs to new levels of performance,” said Dick Giromini, President and Chief Executive Officer.

According to Giromini, Wabash has had the guard in development for three years. The design features two additional vertical posts and a longer, reinforced bumper tube, all of which are engineered  to absorb energy and deflect rear impact at any point along the bumper.

“After years of rigorous testing of various guard designs, we’re confident this new option will satisfy customers as just one of several ways we’re addressing road safety performance,” said Brent Yeagy, Group President, Commercial Trailer Products.

US logistics company JB Hunt Transport Services has reportedly ordered 4,000 Wabash dry van trailers with the new rear impact guard. Production of the JB Hunt units began in January.

“We applaud Wabash National’s leadership and advancements in rear impact protection, and we’re proud to be the first fleet to specify the new rear impact guard design,” said John Roberts, President and Chief Executive Officer, JB Hunt Transport.

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