Great Dane is presenting three new product features at the Technology & Maintenance Council’s Annual Meeting and Technology Exhibition going on this week in Nashville, including a new smart trailer concept, antimicrobial interior reefer liners, and a stronger rear impact guard.

Great Dane’s smart trailer concept is aimed at keeping drivers and fleet managers informed about basic pre-trip inspection checks and alert notifications while on the road. Data on tire inflation, weight distribution, door sensors, lights, and GPS location are all monitored through the system.

Data from the system can be received through an onboard LCD display, a Bluetooth connection with a mobile app, and desktop computer software.

“We are excited to launch our smart trailer concept in beta at TMC to get customer input and continue the development of the device,” said Dennis Skaradzinski, chief engineer for Great Dane. “Prototypes are currently being tested with multiple fleet customers. The results of the testing will help Great Dane develop a final product that truly meets our customers’ needs.”

Great Dane’s concept telematics device is the result of an action item developed by the Future Trailer Committee, which was chaired by Great Dane representatives, at the TMC exhibition in 2011. The task was to develop an automated pre-trip inspection device to assist drivers with quicker turnaround at trailer pickup. This action item was part of a five-year plan set forth by the committee, and Great Dane is presenting its concept product at the 2017 TMC exhibition.

Great Dane has also improved its exclusive PunctureGuard and ThermoGuard linings by adding broad-spectrum antimicrobial protection to the lining material. The protection helps fight bacteria growth, stains, and odors for the entire life of the trailer.

PunctureGuard and ThermoGuard linings will come standard with the antimicrobial protection.

“With the addition of antimicrobial protection to our reefer linings, we are making possible a cleaner environment that fights against bacteria growth,” said Brandie Fuller, vice president of marketing. “These linings will help our customers become a carrier of choice as new, stricter Food Safety Modernization Act rules go into effect.”

The company is also showing a new stronger rear impact guard, designed to make it safer during collisions. The new rear impact guard will be standard on all Great Dane model trailers beginning later this year. With its traditional bolt-on design, Great Dane will offer a retrofit option for 2007 and later models.