• New trailer designs bring significant weight savings
  • Introduces a patent pending new composite panel to the industry

January 12, 2021

Hyundai Translead announced enhanced designs for 2021 dry and refrigerated van trailer models, featuring significant weight reductions and greater durability. Additionally, Hyundai Translead introduced a new, lightweight polymer fiber core composite panel to the trailer industry. These improved designs and new composite fiber panel will result in lower total cost of ownership (TCO) for fleet operators.

As the leading van trailer manufacturer in North America, Hyundai Translead is committed to delivering innovation and ensuring the needs of customers are met by offering new and customized products. “Our new and enhanced design changes allow for significant weight savings while maintaining the same durability and strength,” said Y.J. Park, Vice President of Product Engineering at Hyundai Translead. “Our goal is to carefully listen to our customers and take those conversations further by developing and bringing innovative solutions that add value. We are very excited about both the additional weight savings and new composite panel technology.”

Recently launched design improvements in Hyundai Translead’s dry and reefer trailer models offer great weight savings. The current driver shortage across the nation has resulted in fewer drivers to haul equipment. With lighter trailers, customers can load more freight with each truckload, reduce additional trips, and save time. The ability to operate trailers more efficiently and lower TCO is paramount to fleet operators. Hyundai’s latest improved and lighter trailers serve these needs and add more freight per trip, contributing to higher revenue.

Enhanced Lightweight Composite Dry Van Trailer

  • Weight savings of 330 lbs. per trailer1
  • New design changes for lighter weight and ease of maintenance

The new lightweight composite dry van trailer features a new rear header, standard side panel specification, and side rail redesigns, offering customers a significant weight reduction of 330 lbs. per trailer.

An optimized high strength steel upper coupler is fully hot-dipped galvanized for added corrosion protection. Harness routing in the rear door header along with convenient replacement of the side composite panels allow for ease of maintenance. Furthermore, roll forming has been adopted to improve and reduce components used in the rear header and impact guard.

Improved Lightweight Refrigerated Trailer

  • Weight savings of 680 lbs. per trailer2
  • Increased standard floor rating to 20,000 lbs.
  • Improved thermal efficiency

Hyundai Translead has made multiple enhancements to its refrigerated trailers since 2019 resulting in significant weight savings of 680 lbs. per trailer. The 2021 models feature reduced weight, improved durability, and greater thermal efficiency. Enhanced designs have increased durability and strength for flat and duct floors with floor ratings of 20,000 lbs. in accordance with TTMA recommended practices. Reinforced polypropylene used in the new floor design provides significant weight savings, increases flexural strength by 30%, and prevents deterioration.

Moreover, the lightweight refrigerated trailer offers improved thermal efficiency. Design changes on the front structure, upper coupler, and front interior connection combine to reduce moisture intrusion. The weight savings combined with the increased durability and thermal efficiency make Hyundai Translead refrigerated trailers one of the lightest and competitive in the market.

All enhanced dry and reefer trailers have had durability verified, successfully completing endurance tests under six different harsh road types on proving grounds. Tested road types include:

  • Inverted chatter bumps
  • Impact bumps
  • Staggered bumps
  • Resonance road
  • Gravel road
  • Cobblestone road

New and Innovative Fiber Core Composite Panel

The new advanced fiber core composite panel was developed over the past three years in collaboration with LG Hausys, a manufacturer specializing in high performance materials including appliance and automotive components.

Weight Savings

The new fiber core composite panel is a lightweight material, comprised of galvanized steel skin and fiber core, creating a product that is durable, lighter in weight, and has reduced thermal transmittance. The new panel consists of a stronger polymer fiber core, allowing for a thinner outer composite layer with significant weight reduction. Available on dry van trailers, the panel offers customers a weight savings of 155 lbs. per trailer in addition to the 330 lbs. weight savings offered by the standard conventional composite panel.

Enhanced Peel Strength

Another benefit includes fibers in the core layer of the panel which are mechanically bonded for improved strength and endurance. Additionally, the adhesive is anchored to the open cell for a longer lasting bond. The enhanced peel strength keeps water intrusion at bay, preventing costly damage such as delamination and cracks. Tested in extreme temperatures, the fiber core composite panel can withstand harsh conditions and weather.

Decreased Thermal Transmittance

The panel is designed with enhanced insulation, preventing moisture build-up and providing a safe environment for all types of cargo. Engineered to reduce heat transfer, the innovative panel’s fiber core reduces thermal transmittance up to 25%3. Thermal transmittance can cause condensation to accumulate inside the trailer due to the temperature difference of the exterior and interior atmosphere. Designed with enhanced insulation, the fiber core composite panel prevents moisture buildup and provides a safe environment for all types of freight.

“The development of the fiber composite panel is truly a breakthrough technology. In close collaboration with LG, the material was developed over the past several years and we are excited to bring it to market,” said J.S. Lee, Vice President of R&D at Hyundai Translead. “This patent pending fiber composite panel represents a significant advancement in our continued commitment to innovation. The benefits of this new panel will provide greater product quality for our customers.”

1 HT weight savings and component redesign assessment on dry van analysis

2 HT weight savings and component redesign assessment analysis over two redesign phases in 2019 and 2020

3 LG Hausys thermal conductivity testing data