“WE’RE IN THE TRAILER BUSINESS BY ACCIDENT,” “Basically, there’s a big tank with melted zinc. We dip the steel
says Maxime Roy, Sales Vice President of K-Trail.
K-Trail, now a Canadian manufacturer of hot dip galvanized trailers,
wasn’t always in the trailer industry. The company itself started as
a sub-contractor for transport equipment and, rather surprisingly,
furniture. However, when the furniture industry migrated to
China and the transport equipment industry to Mexico, K-Trail
was forced to reinvent itself to keep up with the Canadian market.
Around 2005, Maxime was involved in an accident while pulling
his grandfather’s old trailer. Upon bringing it back to his shop to
repair it, he realized that manufacturing trailers would be an easy
feat utilizing equipment which he already had. So, the company’s
origin, quite literally, was by accident.
“Now, we’re one of the top three in the East for hot dip galvanized
trailers. We manufacture over 3,200 a year,” Roy says.
Hot dip galvanizing has become increasingly popular over the years.
It’s a process that metallurgically bonds zinc to steel, creating a
substance that has exceptional corrosion resistance.
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frame in that tank and, with heat and time, the zinc bonds with the
steel to leave a protective coating,” Roy explains. “The good thing
about our process is the zinc goes in and out of the tubing, so it
won’t rust from either the inside or outside.”
The process isn’t new. In fact, it’s been around for over a 150
years. Look outside right now and you’ll find fences and light
poles, all galvanized to ensure they last any and all North American
environments. So, when it comes to your trailer, something
constantly attacked by the cold and snowy northern temperatures
or the saltier eastern climate, needs a coating that will help it
survive.
“We’re talking seventy years of protection and,” Roy states,” in an
optimal environment, it’ll last over a century.”
The galvanization process is not the only part of the K-Trail
trailers designed to increase its end-user’s confidence. The
Canadian company partnered with long-term American axle
supplier, Dexter Axle, providing brand recognition and increased
performance to the entirety of its line of products.
NATDA Magazine www.natda.org