Stoughton Trailers has announced that its engineers have developed a new, stronger and safer rear underride guard. The company said it will make it standard in this year’s 4th Quarter.

The patent-pending guard underwent extensive testing internally and through multiple independent testing agencies, including crash testing performed at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s facility in Ruckersville, Va., said Bob Wahlin, Stoughton's president and CEO.

The guard, based on IIHS recommendations, complies with all applicable U.S. and Canadian regulations. It adds no weight and does not affect aerodynamics or the strength of a trailer’s undercarriage and rear structure, he said.

“After thorough testing, we are confident that this design will set the new standard for rear underride safety in our industry,” Wahlin said. “We place such a high value on the safety of both our customers and the driving public that we have chosen to provide this improved level of safety and performance as a standard feature, at no additional cost.”

The underride guard includes two additional bolt-on vertical supports on the outer ends of the horizontal bar. The four supports are integrated into the bar and fastened to the undercarriage to strengthen the guard. The new underride guard will be available in painted carbon steel, galvanized steel or stainless steel.