Last evening, I received some amazing news! Utility Trailer Manufacturing has announced that their improved Rear Impact Guard (RIG) will be offered at a discount.
Utility “is pleased to announce its dry vans, refrigerated vans and flatbeds produced after 2002 can be retrofitted with Utility’s standard 7” deep horizontal Interstate Commerce Commission (I.C.C.) bumper. . .
“Utility strongly recommends their 7” deep horizontal bumper for horizontal bumper replacement on new or older Utility trailer models that were built after 2002 in order to exceed all rear trailer guard safety regulations. Utility will discount the new bumpers as an incentive to replace the old bumpers with the new upgraded 7” deep bumper. . .
“. . .is also I.I.H.S. certified and TUFF Guard awarded. TUFF Guard awards trailers with guards that prevent underride in all three of the institute’s rear underride tests . . . Utility Implements Standard 7’’ Rear Impact Guard on All Trailer Models
We are hopeful that this bold move will pave the way for all trailer manufacturers to follow suit. These retrofit kits will be available to replace not only damaged RIGs but the RIGs on millions of trailers on the road today which have rear underride guards which are TOO WEAK to stop underride all across the back of the trailer.
Thankfully, there are many RIG retrofit solutions available. This is what I know:
- Great Dane Trailers has a retrofit solution.
- Stoughton Trailers has a retrofit kit.
- Utility Trailers aftermarket sells only the current production horizontal bumper as a replacement for any damaged Utility bumper.
- Vanguard Trailers and Manac Trailers have the improved guard available for sale.
- I don’t have information about retrofit options for the other trailer manufacturers.
- TrailerGuards offers a generic Rear Impact Guard (RIG) Retrofit out of aluminum which can be installed on most any model of trailer. See it crash tested here at 38 mph:
This just goes to show you that, by working together, we can STOP underrides. I’m hoping that 2021 will bring significant progress in underride protection!
