Hyundai Translead Launches More Efficient Refrigerated Trailer

Hyundai Translead has launched a new HT ThermoTech refrigerated trailer designed for greater durability, increased thermal efficiency and lighter weight.

The refrigerated trailer was designed to comply with new regulations about maintaining temperature in an efficient manner.

According to Hyundai, structural components that give refrigerated products their load carrying capacity can work against thermal efficiency because they transfer heat through the insulation. Hyundai Translead has used a new structural design that minimizes the effects of heat transmission. In some cases the structure mass has been designed so the insulated panels can include more insulating material.

To reduce efficiency loss from moisture saturation, the trailers joints and closures were eliminated or improved to be less dependent on caulking and sealings, preventing moisture intrusion and maintain efficiency longer.

Primers and bonding techniques are incorporated in the manufacturing process to assure the integrity of laminations between sheet materials. Preventing bonding separation between the outer skins and the insulation will discourage water gain due to condensation, according to Hyundai Translead.

The company also took steps to address longevity by redesigning the components most susceptible to damage.

The deck now uses taller, stiffer structures to support the floor surface. Heavy duty aluminum floor extrusions fit together with a mechanical lock to take stress off the welded joints, and the new fully automated welding fixture lays down a weld-bead of greater mass for additional strength.

All wood structures within the deck were removed and replaced with sustainable recycled materials that will not absorb moisture and increases fastener retention. The combination of material choice and design ingenuity allowed 13% greater floor ratings with no weight addition, according to the company.

Structural floor sills have been redesigned with rigid PVC, a more durable and recycled material. In addition to material changes, the floors also feature a new “mechanical lock” design, so floor pieces are secured together even prior to welding.

“The improvement is to put a mechanical lock in the design so that when you connect the two pieces together we actually have a big advantage in the mechanical fit of these two pieces together even before we weld it,” said Adam Hill, vice president and a lead chief engineer for Hyundai Translead.

While increasing thermal efficiency and service life of the HT ThermoTech reefer, all insulated panels were optimized to reduce weight. Sidewalls, roof, deck and front assemblies are lighter by converting to lighter weight raw materials or applying design techniques that require fewer components or leaner assemblies. The redesigned HT ThermoTech trailer is 600 pounds lighter for base line-haul models. 

“We have invested significant capital expenditures and made improvements to refrigerated trailers to be competitive and we will continue to invest and be innovative,” said Bonjae Lee, CEO of Hyundai Translead.