How were trailers first developed
How and by whom was the trailer first developed? how much does a tanker trailer cost? how much does a tanker trailer cost?
(I)
Earlier this year, FreightWaves Classics reported on the legacy of Malcom McLean, founder of Sea-Land Corporation and the man who developed standardised shipping containers. Today's article focuses on the history of the Fruehauf Trailer Company and August (Gus) Fruehauf (1868-1930), who is credited with inventing the semi-trailer. It turns out that Fruehauf was also involved in Malcom McLean's success.
background
By the turn of the 20th century, Fruehauf was a successful blacksmith and horse-drawn carriage maker in Detroit. By 1914, the number of cars had increased significantly and new ways of using them had been devised. One of Fruehauf's customers asked him to develop a way to transport an 18-foot boat in the back of his Model T Ford. Fruehauf built a device to do this successfully, and he named his invention the semi-trailer.
August Fruehauf
Create an industry
Lumber dealer Frederic M. Sibley, who had asked Fruehauf to build the first trailer, asked Fruehauf to build additional trailers that he could use to transport products from his lumberyard. This has led other lumberyard owners to request similar trailers. Due to the popularity of his semi-trailer, August Fruehauf founded the Fruehauf Trailer Company in 1918. Over time, it became the largest and most successful semi-trailer manufacturing company in the world. In 1963, the Fruehauf Trailer Company changed its name to Fruehauf Trailer Corporation, which remained in business until 1989.
If Fruehauf and company only make trailers to transport goods, then it will succeed. However, more work was done. In a press release announcing Singing Wheels, it said: "Fruehauf... Is an integral part of North American transportation history. This pioneering company promoted the development of transcontinental road transport as a viable alternative to rail and enabled efficient transport from the farmer's gate and factory loading docks."
Other companies pioneered and improved heavy trucks (tractors) in the early 20th century. But without Fruehauf, there would be no "tractor trailer." August Fruehauf had a slogan: "A truck is like a horse; It can pull more than it can carry!" Tractors developed by truck manufacturers pull almost the vast majority of trailers built by the Fruehauf Trailer Company.
This Fruehauf trailer features an early round nose that allows for a larger turning radius. However, they were later modified to have square noses for greater capacity.
Within a few years of the company's founding, its semitrailers demonstrated their usefulness and orders increased even faster. A variety of trailer types have been designed and manufactured. Over the course of the Company's history, Fruehauf Trailer Company has introduced many revolutionary inventions for trucking. In fact, the company has been awarded more than 1,000 patents for its pioneering work. Key patents included automatic fifth-wheel couplings, hydraulic dump trailers, bulk tanker trailers, and early versions of containers used by some American railroads (and, after 1956, patents used on ships of the Trans-Atlantic Steamship Company) controlled by container pioneer McLean, later called Sea Land).
August Fruehauf
Create an industry
Lumber dealer Frederic M. Sibley, who had asked Fruehauf to build the first trailer, asked Fruehauf to build additional trailers that he could use to transport products from his lumberyard. This has led other lumberyard owners to request similar trailers. Due to the popularity of his semi-trailer, August Fruehauf founded the Fruehauf Trailer Company in 1918. Over time, it became the largest and most successful semi-trailer manufacturing company in the world. In 1963, the Fruehauf Trailer Company changed its name to Fruehauf Trailer Corporation, which remained in business until 1989.
If Fruehauf and company only make trailers to transport goods, then it will succeed. However, more work was done. In a press release announcing Singing Wheels, it said: "Fruehauf... Is an integral part of North American transportation history. This pioneering company promoted the development of transcontinental road transport as a viable alternative to rail and enabled efficient transport from the farmer's gate and factory loading docks."
Other companies pioneered and improved heavy trucks (tractors) in the early 20th century. But without Fruehauf, there would be no "tractor trailer." August Fruehauf had a slogan: "A truck is like a horse; It can pull more than it can carry!" Tractors developed by truck manufacturers pull almost the vast majority of trailers built by the Fruehauf Trailer Company.
This Fruehauf trailer features an early round nose that allows for a larger turning radius. However, they were later modified to have square noses for greater capacity.
Within a few years of the company's founding, its semitrailers demonstrated their usefulness and orders increased even faster. A variety of trailer types have been designed and manufactured. Over the course of the Company's history, Fruehauf Trailer Company has introduced many revolutionary inventions for trucking. In fact, the company has been awarded more than 1,000 patents for its pioneering work. Key patents included automatic fifth-wheel couplings, hydraulic dump trailers, bulk tanker trailers, and early versions of containers used by some American railroads (and, after 1956, patents used on ships of the Trans-Atlantic Steamship Company) controlled by container pioneer McLean, later called Sea Land).