News

October 2006

Survey Exposes Corrosion as "Cigarettes" of Transportation Industry
Corrosion is the leading preventable cause of premature trailer demise.

A recent survey of US fleets reveals that the majority of dry van trailers are prematurely removed from service due to corrosion. Conducted by anti-corrosion specialists PRP Industries, the survey indicates that approximately 90% of TL and LTL van trailers are removed from service due to three reoccurring ailments; cross-member, door frame and upper coupler corrosion.

"It may seem odd to compare corrosion to smoking, but it's actually a very accurate analogy," says Phil Pierce, President of PRP industries. "Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death among adults. With existing anti-corrosion technology, it's clear that corrosion is the leading preventable cause of trailer death. It's the tobacco of the industry."

According to survey respondents, extending the life of cross-members, door frames and upper couplers would allow them to operate a trailer much longer while performing standard maintenance on the rest of the trailer.

"That assessment is consistent with our own research," adds Pierce. "In fact, our tests indicate that using simple anti-corrosive technologies that exists today would significantly extend the life of these three key components, effectively doubling the service life of the trailer."

In an industry that spends nearly 30 billion per year to fight corrosion, the findings of the survey are eye-opening, concluding that dollars may be most wisely spent on fighting corrosion in several key areas.

"If a smoker wants to live longer - jogging might help some, but giving up smoking is the real answer," states Pierce. "Regular preventive maintenance may help your trailer last a little longer, but preventing corrosion on cross-members, door frames and upper couplers is the real fountain of youth."

Anybody got an ashtray?