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Throughout our product literature you find the term SST™ Technology. It applies to both steel and aluminum trailers. The term can be interpreted as meaning “Super Strong Trailer”. What it means in application is that Travis® has focused on incorporating meaningful improvements in our trailers that make a real difference for our customers. These trailers are not “me too” designs that are prevalent in the industry. Look closely and you will see the differences that have made Travis® the true leader.
The advent of SST™ Technology is associated with the breakthrough design of the SST™ Floor designed to improve floor strength for forklift applications.
SST™ FLOOR
U.S. Patent Number 5,431,475 describes the SST™ floor design. This probably represents the first real breakthrough in aluminum dump trailer design in many years. The floor is strengthened by using deeper crossmembers and by improving the connection of the floor to the side-wall. A special, 6″ deep tubing lower rail was developed to provide for the welding of the crossmembers and side stakes to the rub rail. The result has been greater strength with no increase in overall trailer weight.
Other applications of the same technology and concepts have been developed and applied:
SST™ SIDES
When using the SST™ floor, it became possible to apply a thin outer skin to the trailer using blind rivets. This skin is .04″ thick aluminum thus adding very little to the trailer weight but improving aerodynamics. See SST™.
RUB RAIL 2000
The new, standard rub rail combines the benefits of the older designs with the added strength of the new. The outer face is 6″ deep to allow for the use of our deeper floor supports. The side stakes are angle cut to the extruded in dirt shedder which is similar to the old design but a critical vertical leg is added that forms a triangular hollow tube. As with the SST™, this hollow tube increases strength. The result is less flexure between the side-wall and lower rail and less fatigue on the welds. By retaining the angled cut side stakes, the ease of repair is maintained.
SST™ CROSSMEMBER
The deeper, 5.5″ SST™ floor crossmember is now standard on all Travis® aluminum trailers. Both engineering design calculations and destructive testing show that the deeper design is significantly stronger than the 4″ deep design that has been the industry standard for years. A look at an older trailer with deformed or bowed floor crossmembers and then a look underneath a Travis® will show the obvious benefits.
STANDARD RUB RAIL
Our standard rub rail combines the benefits of the older designs with the added strength of the new. The outer face is 6″ deep to allow for the use of our deeper floor supports. The side stakes are angle cut to the extruded in dirt shedder which is similar to the old design but a critical vertical leg is added that forms a triangular hollow tube. As with the SST™, this hollow tube increases strength. The result is less flexure between the side-wall and lower rail and less fatigue on the welds. By retaining the angled cut side stakes, the ease of repair is maintained.
AEROLITE™ DESIGN
The Travis® Aerolite™ also uses the SST™ crossmember. However, due to the unique construction of this trailer, we developed a new rub rail with an 8″ outer face. The rear post was modified and a new top rail was created. The details were not compromised as has been the case with some competing models. Another significant change involved tying the crossmembers together at the end with pieces of flat bar to add strength.
THE WAVE® DESIGN
The Wave® exemplifies innovated design with its patented dual-wall polished extrusions made of stronger, longer lasting extruded aluminum as opposed to rolled sheet. Its thin walls add to capacity. only 2.75” from inner to outer surfaces, while its inner wall and stiffeners hide dents, dings on walls and gate. Like other Travis models, The Wave® comes with our SST™ crossmembers and it is of course aerodynamic with its fuel saving smooth sides. It also features a rounded ½” thick “bull-nose” top rail that sheds material. The Wave® is easy to clean and maintain and comes backed by the best warranty in the business.
LIVE FLOOR DESIGN
Our Live Floor trailer is typically 102″ tall and very long. It requires a strong floor and lower rail. Travis® uses the SST™ tubing lower rail on both the Live Floor and the Tipper trailers. While the Tipper uses the SST™ crossmember, the Live Floor uses a 5″ deep extruded I-Beam.
ROBOTIC WELDING
The side stakes on the Travis® Aluminum trailer are machine welded. This improves weld consistency and provides a great finished look.
RUBBER SEAL
As part of the ongoing push to improve, Travis® changed the rubber used to seal the tailgate from a spongy neoprene to a hollow rubber tube. Improved seal and longer life have resulted.
15″ I BEAM
Braking, pot holes, road humps and bad luck all result in a jolt being delivered to the trailer. These forces are transferred from the ground up, through the suspension to the sub-frame and into the box. The Travis® sub-frame is 15″ tall with beefy flanges and a thick web. We use 6061 T6 aluminum. The strength of your Travis® trailer starts here.
CAST COUPLER SADDLES
Travis® has seen couplers made of welded together pieces of pipe and flat bar. These clearly cheaper designs are no match for the dump industry. A more costly but more reliable steel cast lower saddle is standard on the Travis®.
FORMED ANGLE TOP RAIL
Yes, even our steel trailers get a dose of SST™ Technology. The new top rail on our steel end dumps is formed with the angled top surface built right in. Soon, the top rail will be using roll formed technology for a unique one-piece construction.
FOUR ON THE FLOOR
Some steel trailer manufacturers that all of the tires stay on the ground when dumping but then as the trailer reaches the end of the dump cycle, the dump blocks engage and the front axle kicks in the air. Travis® has done away with this misapplication by designing a bogey pod that rotates all the way on our steel trailers.
FOUR ON THE FLOOR ALUMINUM
No other company builds a rotating all tires on the ground design for an aluminum trailer. Travis® has.
QUARTER-FRAME DESIGNS
Spring or air ride designs are available from Travis®. Our designs are the best. We had the best teacher, the school of hard knocks.
SWING AWAY DUMP BLOCKS
U.S. Patent 5,782,538 describes this unique way that Travis® has again stepped up to solve a customers application problem. Lightweight and air operated, this device will lengthen the trailers dump blocks to either keep all tires on the ground or keep the rear of the trailer away from the ground. Special needs, special solutions.
QUALITY OF COMPONENTS AND SPECIFICATIONS
SST™ technology does not stop with engineering smarts. Purchasing the best components and sticking to the best possible standards goes a long way toward making a quality dump trailer. From nose to gate, Travis® has focused on the details and has combined our years of direct experience to become today’s leader.
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