Thinking about a new dry van

That answers my question. Shouldn’t have any problem getting it by selling yourself. I prefer the Wabash. Utility vans are built too cheap. The overlooked Trailer IMO is Stoughton. Best value for build. I’d rather have a Stoughton than another GD.
I advised my neighbor on Stoughton. His GD was just starting to show signs like my old GD. Corrosion on side rails, and weak top hat crossmembers. The Stoughtons a Stronger Trailer. He’s happy so far with it. I’ve often walked the inside of different Trailers while getting loaded. Along with checking bulk nose, and overall construction. The Stoughton stacks up well. Look for yourself. We have a lot of them up here, spec’d for automotive. Just as many as Wabash these days. Price wise,a z-plate seems to be $3k less that a duraplate.

 

After full 4 years, I don't see anything wrong with my Utility. Still water proof and hold itself together. I have nothing else to compare though, except Vanguards but jeez those...were cheap. I think I went for Utility because their dealer was the shortest distance from where I live.

 

I may be wrong, I’ve never owned one. Have heard twice Drivers say they’d never buy another. Utility Dealer by me sells more Stoughton dry vans and parts,than Utilitiy. But that’s because of the automotive needs. According to them Vanguard is terrible on parts. I’m not that picky. I look at value. I bought a 08 Trailmobile 4 1/2 yrs ago. They’re out of Bussiness. Price was right. My Freightliners cheap. But a good Truck in other ways. As much as I like Wabash, too pricey for me.Like picking a woman, gotta look at the whole package, and costs. Lol. Wife smacks back of head.

 

Stoughton has been around since 1961. They always built trailers for the RR’s that could take the abuse of the Piggy Back and Trailer Train divisions. UPS has been their biggest customer for 40 years.

Wabash is a great trailer that is the remnants of the original Fruehauf. They have continued on with the quality and logetivity of the traditional Fruehauf's.

Fruehauf at one time built and supplied the landing gear and axles to both GreatDane and Trailmobile and many other smaller builders like Timpte and Hobbs.
Propar axles was their exclusive invention.

I’ve never heard of Champion. I need to study up on them and add it to my history knowledge.
Edit: Champion is series of GreatDane. Doh! I was thinking that it was the name of a builder.

 

. Fruehauf was the largest and the best for years. Founded in Detroit. They Owned a bunch of major companies. Invented the semi trailer. Invented the name itself. They’re still around overseas.

 

Invented the modern fifth wheel and sold the patent to Holland Hitch Company in the ‘40’s. Became the FW 35. For Fruehauf Wheel 1935.
The branches in Mexico, Austrilia, and Japan are the only ones left remotely connected to the original family. According to Ruth Anne Fruehauf.

 

She was on TV a while back. Someone had given her a historical something or another. She was thrilled I forget details. But it was interesting.

 

She was selling re-issued vintage logo mudflaps a few years ago. Heavy duty and great quality. I was wanting to get two sets of the original “red diamond” logo (like on her hat in above pic) for my 1947 stainless steel van and 1950 flatbed. She sold out before I put in my order. She emails my wife back to let her know and they start going back and forth about the trailers and the hobby and other things in life for about a year afterwards. Even told her she was going back and forth to Japan to visit the factory there. She was trying to get another run of the flaps made but the guy making them for her got diagnosed with cancer and could no longer do it. I waited for 6 more months to see if he could get them made but in the end I had to settle for a couple pairs of the “Long Ranger 5” Gold Star one’s that came out with the first 45 footers they built. That was all she had left in stock. She is supposed to contact us if she ever gets another supplier. She is now in her ‘70’s I believe.

 

Ordered it in mid November from Kansas City Peter built utility. Jeff Meehan was the guy I went with on sales guy. Very easy to get deal done. Had to do some follow up with him a few times to keep me in loop. Was supposed to be done by Jan 15 but just finished a few days ago. Put 1k down for the order and it is non refundable. Great experience for never meeting anyone in person. All done over phone or emails.