Xtra Lease ordered 9,400 new vans and reefers for 2012. The new models will replace many older model trailers that will be sold or re-designated as cartage or storage trailers.

The company has ordered nearly 25,000 trailers over the past two and a half years. In addition, the trailer lessor is refurbishing 1,000 flatbeds.

"Shippers haven't reduced expectations for on-time deliveries," says Bill Franz, president and CEO. "But completing them with an aging, over-the-road fleet is risky. We plan on helping fleets reduce their risk by making high-performing equipment available to them. Not only will they reduce chances of mechanical failure and breakdowns, fleets can avoid higher maintenance costs inherent with older equipment."

New vans and reefers are due to arrive in Xtra Lease branches from manufacturers' plants beginning in February, and production will continue through August. The company will continue to install trailer tracking units as a standard feature on vans targeted for the rental fleet. Fuel-saving aerodynamic side skirts and low-rolling-resistance tires are now standard features on Xtra Lease trailers as well. In addition, the company's new trailers comply with U.S. EPA SmartWay standards and California's greenhouse gas regulations.

The company will also refurbish approximately 1,000 flatbeds in 2012, targeting 1999-2001 model-year flatbed units in its fleet to extend the life of each trailer by about eight years.

Each refurbished flatbed receives:

-Blasting and painting of all steel parts
-New aluminum floors with wood nailing strips -New air and electrical, including lights
-New wheels
-New brake linings
-Straightening of rub rails and repairing of all welds
-New shocks and airbags (on air-ride suspensions)