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State-of-the-Art:
Trailer Tracking
If you sprinkled magic
fairy dust on your trailers so they could talk, what would you want them
to tell you? If you had to pay
for the magic fairy dust, would the return be worth the investment?
WillGo recently conducted
a preliminary analysis of magic fairy dust for trailers (wireless trailer tracking solutions)
currently available in search of answers to these questions.
The good news is that communicating reliably with your trailers
no longer requires magic. A number of competitive products are now commercially available and more
are in the
pipeline. The bad news is that
most if not all of the products offered still have “issues”.
They vary
widely in underlying technology, available features and cost.
All in all, it’s not an easy subject to fully understand and
evaluate at this time.
In general, the concept of wireless trailer
tracking is pretty simple…a wireless transmitter installed in the trailer
communicates its position and other data to a central computer via
satellite, the cellular phone network, or some combination of both.
Done simply, well and cost effectively, this could be powerful
stuff. With the right
fairy dust, not only could you monitor the trailer’s location for the
purposes of better asset management, load delivery status reporting and
security, you could also get instant and accurate feed-back on questions
like are you currently hooked to a tractor, are the doors open, is the
temperature/humidity OK in a reefer, is tire pressure and axle lubrication
OK, is the trailer loaded/empty or partially full?
You could schedule periodic reports from the trailer automatically,
inquire on demand, or program the trailer to broadcast immediately,
setting off sirens and lights if something is not right.
The concept is compelling and the payback (at the right cost) would
be a no-brainer.
Trailer
Tracking Product Review
continued
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--
NEW--
2004 53' Vans
Air Ride, Log Posts
--
NEW--
2004 53' Duraplates
Air Ride, Log Seams
Coming Soon: New Seller Listing Services
Listing sellers will soon be able to review, modify and delete their listings on-line
at willgo.com!
New
Improvements To WillGo Website
WillGo has
added several improvements to
its website. Using our new Saved Search Scheduler, you can have searches emailed to you daily, weekly or
monthly. In addition, our New Trailer Quoter is even easier to use
and more flexible than before. And, we have added new links for OEM and
trailer resource websites.
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Trailer
News Briefs
As a reader service, WillGo's
monthly on-line newsletter, "Trailer Traffic"
scans multiple industry news sources to consolidate trailer industry news
links in one executive summary list:
Schneider
Orders More DuraPlates: Schneider National ("Big
Orange"), the nation's largest truckload carrier, has increased their
2003 order for 53' Wabash Duraplates.
Coalition
Against Big Trucks (CABT) Push "SHIPA" on the Hill:
Opponents of bigger, heavier trucks rally on Capitol Hill to propose
legislation to further restrict LCV's.
Manac
Closes Ontario Trailer Plant: The Canadian trailer
manufacturer consolidates van manufacturing in its larger Saint-George
plant.
Martin
Marietta Begins Trailer Building in NC: Martin Marietta Materials
of Raleigh, NC has announced entry into the semi-trailer manufacturing
world with the initial introduction of a 50' live floor transfer trailer
featuring extensive use of advanced fiberglass reinforced polymer
materials.
Dana
Spicer Introduces New RF Trailer Suspension: This new
product is both low maintenance and lower weight.
New
Trailer Hubs and Brake Drums Offered By ConMet: Consolidated
Metco's new products reduce weight and extend life.
NTDA
Annual Conference, Sept. 25-27 in Scottsdale, AZ
www.willgo.com
800-933-6167
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