Tech Talk

All Trail-et models feature sleek aerodynamic design. The wedge nose and gusset-less rear end decrease wind drag. Rubber torsion axles, computer-matched to the operating load, add independent suspension to minimize shock, sway and bouncing.

The exterior aluminum is available in white or pewter pre-baked enamel. A double coated acrylic foam tape attaches the aluminum to the sub-frame providing a sealed, smooth appearance and isolates against galvanic corrosion. Our distinct logo stripe is available in a variety of colors.

A one piece fiberglass roof tops your trailer. Rain runs off its seam-free, rivet-free construction. Because it is translucent, more light is provided for the interior. Fiberglass does not absorb heat (like steel or aluminum), therefore, the interior remains cool. Trail-et's unique method of installing the frame into the fiberglass provides additional strength.

Trail-et equips its models with standard features that are sold as optional equipment on many other premium trailers. Our models feature rubber lining, luxury padding, dual tail-lights, great ventilation through roof vents and large windows as standard equipment. Many options are available to tailor your unit to the exact specifications of your horse and transportation requirements.

Galvanized Steel vs. Aluminum Trailer Frames: The density of aluminum is approximately one-third of the density of galvanized steel so the potential to design lighter structure exists. However, aluminum is not as strong or stiff as galvanized steel, therefore this weight differential is dramatically reduced. For example, a 1-inch galvanized steel tube has the same load carrying ability as a 1-3/8 inch aluminum tube.

In addition, a structure built from galvanized steel will deflect less (think of a bridge) than the same structure built from aluminum. To compensate for the deflection, one either has to increase size of the aluminum members to add stiffeners, thereby increasing the weight.

The extended life of your trailer is based on its ability to withstand the small, cumulative stresses (fatigue stress) as it goes down the road. Galvanized steel has fatigue strength approximately 30 percent higher than aluminum, allowing for reduced weight in the equivalent structure.

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Zinc Coated Steel: Without some type of coating, steel will rust quickly. Galvanizing, the coating of steel with zinc, has been used to prevent steel from rusting for over one hundred years. The wire rope that holds up the Brooklyn Bridge was galvanizing and is still in excellent condition.

Galvanizing protects steel from rusting by forming a protective barrier between the steel and the environment, like paint does. However, galvanizing is far superior to paint because it also provides electrochemical protection of the steel. Steel is more electro-negative than zinc; that is, steel will attract electrons from the zinc. This electronic flow from zinc to steel will reduce the corrosion rate of the steel while increasing that of zinc. The zinc coating is thus sacrificed to prevent the corrosion of steel at breaks in the zinc surface. If a galvanized steel surface is scratched down to the bare steel, the galvanizing will still protect the steel from rusting.

Zinc (like aluminum) also has a corrosion rate, but in a marine environment, it is 25 times less than that of steel. Steel which is exposed to the weather or receives rough treatment in which the coatings are physically damaged will remain free of rust five to ten times longer when the steel is galvanized instead of painted.

	Trail-et uses galvanized tubing and structural shapes in the construction of the trailers. All of the sheet steel is galvanized.
	Tubing is galvanized on the inside and outside. The best painting process cannot paint the inside of a tube.
	The inaccessible "fourth" side of the tube (the side flush with the sheet steel) is protected from rust. No paint can reach the hidden "fourth" side.
	The galvanized steel on the inside of the trailer is further protected with an epoxy paint coating.

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Galvanic Corrosion: Occasionally, Trail-et’s unique design of using several primary materials to form a composite material product is criticized for being subject to a defect called "electrolysis". What is being referred to is the electrochemical action that takes place when two dissimilar metals are placed in contact with each other and an electrolyte (a solution like seawater) is introduced. The correct term for this phenomenon is not electrolysis, but galvanic corrosion.

(Note: The American Society of Metals defines electrolysis as caused by the passage of an electric current through a conductor between two dissimilar metals. Electric railways are a typical example of where electrolysis occurs)

Knowledgeable manufacturers all take precautions to prevent galvanic corrosion when using two dissimilar metals. The "all aluminum" trailer design has the same problem because they use steel frames in their axle and coupler areas. One well known aluminum manufacturer advertises that they use mylar tape between their steel frame and the aluminum to prevent corrosion.

Trail-et’s history of approach to this design consideration is summarized as follows:

	In the early 1970’s, we used mylar tape to separate the metal.
	In 1983, working with DuPont Chemical Company, we developed a special epoxy primer which was superior to the mylar tape.
	Currently we use a double-coated acrylic foam tape to isolate the metals.
	Galvanic Corrosion can be a serious problem if reasonable precautions are not taken. Trail-et has always been aware of the need for proper design in this area.

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Fiberglass: Fiberglass is a composite material using a liquid (a polyester resin) combined with glass fibers (in mat or woven roving form). A chemical reaction initiated in the resin by means of a catalytic agent causes hardening to a strong, lightweight final part in which the resin serves as the substrate and the glass fibers are reinforcement. It is much like pouring concrete over steel reinforcing rods.

Man made composites have been around a long time. In 1000 BC, the Israelites were making clay bricks filled with straw to increase their strength. Fiberglass, as we know it today, was developed by the Navy during the latter stages of WWII. Many of those original products still exist today and have shown no deterioration as you would expect to see in metal products. The product is totally inert with an unlimited life expectancy.

	Trail-et uses a one piece fiberglass roof for its trailers regardless of the width or length. A galvanized steel frame with wiring tubes running the length of the trailer on each side is encapsulated into the fiberglass.
	The one piece roof eliminated seams and potential of leaks.
	Fiberglass does not transmit sound like metal roof. It eliminates the "oil canning" effect of aluminum or steel roofs providing a much quieter ride for the horse.
	Fiberglass does not transmit heat eliminating the need for additional roof insulation to provide a reasonable temperature inside the trailer. Trail-et color coordinated only the outer six-inch radius of the roof leaving the center white. This allows the sun to be reflected further reducing the heat load in the trailer.
	The one piece removable roof provides a unique safety feature in the unfortunate event of an accident and a roll over situation.
	Numerous reports have been received of horses escaping unharmed because the roof popped off and the horse was not trapped inside the trailer.
	The life expectancy of the roof exceeds the normal life expectancy of the total product.

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Foam Tape: For over 15 years, foam tape has been replacing mechanical fasteners in the application from truck caps to the ceiling of the United Airlines terminal at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. Trail-et pioneered the use of Double Coated Acrylic Tape in the horse trailer industry to attach the exterior aluminum skin to the side frame. The use of foam tape provides a lighter, quieter, stronger, more beautifully designed trailer.

	The trailer has a smooth exterior appearance by eliminating the multiple rows of rivets used to attach the aluminum to the frame.
	The joints are sealed eliminating the possibility of water getting between two sheets.
	The stress due to road vibration is distributed evenly over the entire joint. Mechanical fasteners tend to concentrate the stress in the local area and loosen over time.
	The strength of the primary structure is not violated by drilling multiple holes to attach the aluminum.
	Galvanic corrosion is eliminated.

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Pressure Treated Wood. Pressure treated wood is pressure impregnated with an EPA approved pesticide containing chromated copper arsenate. The chemical oxides are forced deep into the cells of the wood by a vacuum-pressure and are fixed permanently within the wood's cellular structure. This process stops the natural fungal decay of wood and extends its life dramatically. The end product has the chemicals "fixed" in the wood and therefore is considered leach resistant, odorless, non-corrosive and harmless to plants and animals. Trail-et uses pressure treated 3/4" plywood for the dressing room and gooseneck floors and #2 or better pressure treated 2" x 8" pond pine for the horse area floors.

Wood does not vibrate like metal and therefore absorbs sound, providing a quieter ride for your horses.

Wood is not a thermo-conductive material but acts as an insulator against heat and cold.

The life expectancy of the wood exceeds the normal life expectancy of the total product.

No maintenance for a wood floor is required.

The wood floor provides a very solid foundation for the horse. It does not deflect like an aluminum floor. This is especially important when loading young horses early in their trailering careers.

The wood floor provides natural drainage for urine. We install the boards "wet" and use their natural shrinkage during drying to provide small gaps for drainage.

Wood is a renewable resource. By extending its life with pressure treatment, it allows for replacement trees to be grown.

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Suspension - Independent Rubber Torsion: Minimizes shock, sway and bouncing. A completely self-contained axle and suspension system allowing for the smoothest ride possible. This trailing arm type torsion axle employs natural rubber cords supporting heat treated inner bars of solid, medium carbon steel. Press-fitted and welded to the ends of these independently floating bars are the high strength steel torsion arm/spindle assemblies. This allows the wheels on an axle to move in a vertical direction independently of each other.

Below is a cut-away view of the axle to help you visualize what is going on inside of it. The round rods on the left of the illustration are the rubber cords and the square rod is the medium carbon steel rod.