The numbers keep growing, but many key roads throughout the Southern states are still impassable or washed away, which is impacting businesses, including trucking operations. 

Trucking research and analysis firm FTR estimates that Hurricane Harvey continue  to strongly affect over 7 percent of U.S. trucking with up to 10 percent of all U.S. trucking being affected early on.

FTR attributed this disruption to trucking to a few broad effects. Trucks continue to wait for roads and docks in the region to be completely cleared before freight will be able to move quickly. Additionally, most obviously, there is the infrastructure nightmare due to congestion and backed up loading docks.

How Does This Impact Trailer Repairs?

These on-going complications will force delayed trailer repairs because of pressure to catch up or keep busy moving cargo to their destinations. Why is this a problem? Damage allows moisture to enter walls and degrade the insulation and lining. As a result, the reefer unit will have to work harder and use more fuel while trying to maintain appropriate air temperatures, according to The Technology & Maintenance Council of ATA’s Task Force.

So, how much water can a reefer trailer absorb? Hundreds and even thousands of pounds, according to Chuck Cole of Utility Trailer Manufacturing.  He also reported in TruckingInfo.com that the easiest method of determining water contamination is to do the following:

1. Weigh the trailer.
2. Top off all fluids in the reefer unit.
3. Fill the fuel tank and park it on a scale.
4. Don’t forget to find out what the trailer weighed when new first.

How Do You Avoid Delays?

Avoid ‘triage’ repairs by choosing an industrial adhesive that offers a quick and strong bond, like TensorGrip’s EPO-CAL. Unique to the industry, EPO-CAL offers four major benefits including:

• LOW ODOR: Tenacious bond, but now with a mild odor.
• LABOR TIME: EP0-CAL adhesive takes 2-man hours to apply on a 53 foot reefer trailer.
• NO CURE TIME: Reduction in the turnaround time from 24 hours to 45 minutes for the job. As a result, dramatic increase in unit through put in the number to trailers repaired.
• NO BLOCKING OR BRACING: No need for the use of load bars and plywood on the walls, resulting in less potential on-the-job injuries saving hours in your shop.

Watch how easy it is to ensure a strong bond that is easy and quick with our new EPO-CAL How2 Video here.

You May Also Like

EPO-CAL Safety Data Sheet

EPO-Technical Data Sheet

Fact: Spray Adhesives Speed Up Assembly Lines