Aerodynamic trailer
A trailer includes a cargo box having a forward end, a rearward end, and a flat floor extending between the forward end and the rearward end. A slider mechanism is coupled beneath the rearward end of the cargo box. A suspension assembly is movably coupled to the slider mechanism and configured to support the cargo box. The suspension assembly is movable along the slider mechanism between an operating position and a docking position. An operating height of the cargo box, when the suspension assembly is in the operating position, is lower than a docking height of the cargo box, when the suspension assembly is in the docking position.
1 . A trailer comprising:
a cargo box having a forward end, a rearward end spaced lengthwise from the forward end, and a flat floor extending between the forward end and the rearward end;
a slider mechanism coupled beneath the rearward end of the cargo box; and
a suspension assembly movably coupled to the slider mechanism and configured to support the cargo box, the suspension assembly movable lengthwise along the slider mechanism between an operating position and a docking position,
wherein, in response to movement of the suspension assembly along the slider mechanism to the operating position, the cargo box assumes an operating height, and in response to movement of the suspension assembly along the slider mechanism to the docking position, the cargo box assumes a docking height, and
wherein the operating height is lower than the docking height.
2 . The trailer of claim 1 , wherein the slider mechanism includes a plurality of positioning holes configured to selectively secure the suspension assembly in a desired position along the slider mechanism.
3 . The trailer of claim 2 , wherein the slider mechanism includes a forward stop disposed forward of the plurality of positioning holes and a rearward stop disposed rearward of the plurality of positioning holes, and wherein the forward stop and the rearward stop are configured to limit movement of the suspension assembly along the slider mechanism.
4 . The trailer of claim 1 , wherein the cargo box includes an integrated substructure to which the slider mechanism is coupled, wherein the integrated substructure includes a plurality of support beams extending widthwise and configured to support the floor, and wherein support beams of the plurality of support beams at the operating position of the suspension assembly are shorter support beams that have a length measured widthwise across the cargo box that is shorter than a length of a remainder of the plurality of the support beams measured widthwise across the cargo box.
5 . The trailer of claim 4 , further comprising a plurality of tire plates coupled to the shorter support beams of the integrated substructure to be positioned above the suspension assembly when the suspension assembly is in the operating position.
6 . The trailer of claim 1 , wherein the docking height of the trailer is measured as a height of the floor when the suspension assembly is in the docking position and is approximately 46 inches.
7 . The trailer of claim 6 , wherein the operating height of the trailer is measured as a height of the floor when the suspension assembly is in the operating position and is approximately 42 inches.
8 . The trailer of claim 1 , wherein:
the slider mechanism includes a rail assembly coupled to and extending along the cargo box and a box assembly supporting the suspension assembly and slidably coupled to the rail assembly,
the rail assembly defines a wedge, and
the box assembly includes a frame that defines a wedge matching the wedge of the rail assembly.
9 . The trailer of claim 8 , wherein the frame of the box assembly includes a plurality of notches configured to provide clearance for articulation of the suspension assembly.
10 . The trailer of claim 8 , wherein the wedge of the rail assembly includes a forward portion formed as an enclosed portion and a rearward portion formed as an open portion.
11 . The trailer of claim 10 , wherein the rearward portion includes a plurality of gussets configured to structurally reinforce the rearward portion.
12 . The trailer of claim 10 , wherein the rearward portion includes a plurality of holes configured to decrease a weight of the rearward portion of the wedge of the rail assembly.
13 . The trailer of claim 1 , wherein the floor is maintained level when the cargo box is at the operating height.
14 . The trailer of claim 1 , further comprising a leg assembly configured to support the forward end of the cargo box when not coupled to a tractor, wherein the leg assembly is height adjustable and configured to provide the floor with a level orientation when at the docking height.
15 . The trailer of claim 1 , wherein the suspension assembly has a range of travel between 60 and 120 inches along the slider mechanism between the operating position and the docking position.
16 . The trailer of claim 15 , wherein the range of travel of the suspension assembly is 100 inches.