Mirage Trailers News

What Axles are Under Your Trailer?

2009-11-19T10:52:00.000-07:00

Lippert Components Axle Competitive Analysis – Learn Why Mirage Trailers Chooses LCI Axles.

Feature: Powder coated axle tube

Benefit: Better aesthetics and corrosion protection

Feature: No paint on hub face of drums

Benefit: Provides minimal torque loss on wheel nuts

Feature: Zinc plated spring mounting hardware including Tie Plates, U-Bolts, and Nuts)

Zinc plated axle attaching hardware including shackle links and nuts

Zinc plated brake mounting hardware including mounting nuts and lock washers

Benefit: Better aesthetics and corrosion protection. Prevents nuts from rusting to bolts improving service jobs

Feature: 3M, silicone filled wire connectors

Benefit: Connector prevents wires from pulling out like hot glued and silicone filled prevents corrosion at connection

Feature: One piece integrated spindle/brake flange

Benefit: Provides precise brake mounting surface to maximize brake performance, and provides a much stronger flange than a welded

Feature: CSA Certified 2000# - 7000# CSA rating includes the 12” x 2” brake

Benefit: Other manufacturers only have a 6000# rating, allows for a more cost effective 7K axle compared to going with an 8K electric brake

Feature: Brakes adjusted to drums 100%

Benefit: Maximizes new brake performance, LCI adjusts the brakes like a service shop.

Feature: Robotically welded spindles and spring seats

Benefit: Competitors’ Rotary weld which relies on operator to ensure weld location and penetration. Welds are not traceable to a production run. LCI welded beam ensure proper location and penetration. LCI beams are fully traceable to the time of mfg.

Feature: Extensive weld approval process for robotic spindle welds

Benefit: The approved weld etch coupon can be traced to the final axle serial number.

Feature: DC electric nut runners for accurate u-bolt nut torque

Benefit: Competitors use air guns that are not repeatable and do not guarantee proper torque. LCI dc Nut Runners guarantee and Document the proper torque.

Feature: 100% QC check on brake nuts

Benefit: Others bend axle after manufacture which provides no consistency. Toe In controlled to 0-3/16”. Camber is controlled to 3/8”-5/8”.

Feature: Camber and toe set in spindle welder with fixtures

Benefit: Better aesthetics and corrosion protection

Feature: LCI beam is pre-cambered before spindle weld

Benefit: Holding spindle position in robotic welder is more repeatable than bending axle tube after the weld op

Feature: Extensive inspection process of incoming materials with full lot traceability

Benefit: Ensures axle components and raw material conforms to quality standards.

Feature: Electrical checks on 100% of axles produced

Benefit: Ensures functional wiring and functional brakes

3RD PARTY CERTIFICATIONS

2009-11-09T13:05:00.000-07:00

To Our Valued Dealers:

It has been brought to our attention that a new law went into effect in January of this year. This law requires that any trailer equipped with 110 volt options, LP gas, or any plumbing requiring tanks must be certified by a third party entity, such as RVIA or Pacific West Associates. Mirage Enterprises chose to certify with Pacific West Associates.

The actual enforcement of this law commenced this month, October 2009. Certification ensures our dealers, as well as the retail customer, that Mirage has, and is, subject to on-going inspections and monitoring for quality assurance functions as required by law. You will notice on the left hand side of the entry door of trailers with the above options the required Seal from PWA.

Mirage Enterprises is proud to be one of the first, if not THE first major cargo trailer manufacturer meeting these new standards. Our Snow and Sport trailers, as well as any other trailers with these options will have the required certification. The substantial cost in not only dollars, but time, effort and engineering is negligible to our desire to continue to supply the quality products our dealers have come to expect from us.

You as a Dealer can assure your retail customers that a Mirage Trailer is certified within the current laws. Can the manufacturers of the other brands of trailers on your lot say the same? A quality product, validated by a third party, ensures the safety and satisfaction of your retail customer and limits your liability pertaining to these products.

As always, we look forward to your questions and comments, but mostly we appreciate your continued support.

Bill Boyles

STEEL VS. ALUMINUM

2009-11-09T12:10:00.002-07:00

There is a lot of debate about steel vs. aluminum trailers. This debate has been going on since some horse trailer manufacturers started using aluminum in the 70’s. Cargo trailer and small utility trailer manufacturers followed some time later. Aluminum trailer manufacturers claim weight savings, corrosion resistance, smoother ride, and longer life. I would like to point our a few comparisons between steel and aluminum and hopefully dispel some rumors and misinformation that has been passed as fact for too long.

Basic properties,

Steel is 66% stronger when compared pound for pound. This means it takes 3 times as much aluminum to equal the same structure as steel. Often times the weight gains claimed by aluminum trailer manufacturers are unsubstantiated when trailers are compared equally.

Steel has a natural memory, aluminum does not. This means when steel is flexed to a point, it returns to it’s original shape. Aluminum does not.

Aluminum has a much higher rate of metal fatigue than steel. This means that steel can resist flexing much better than aluminum. Aluminum tends to crack at flex points. This is why many aluminum trailers are bolted or riveted together. Aluminum welds crack much more easily than steel welds.

Steel trailers are much easier to repair than aluminum. Aluminum is much more difficult and requires more specialized equipment to weld.

Steel bends and stretches when impacted. Aluminum tears and breaks when impacted. This equals more extensive and expensive repair costs.

Aluminum resists corrosion better than raw steel. Fortunately steel trailers are not sold in raw steel form. They are typically painted with very durable finishes. There are differences in paint processes and materials and the better the coating, the longer it will last. One thing the Aluminum trailer manufacturers don’t tell you is that aluminum corrodes also. It is not as visible as it is in steel, but the

chemicals and environmental conditions that affect steel trailers also affect aluminum trailers. The aluminum erodes and weakens over time.

Steel trailers are typically 20% less expensive than equally compared aluminum trailers.

Keep in mind there are many things we use every day that are made of steel rather than aluminum because of the reasons outlined above.

• bridges

• ships

• cars

• skyscrapers

• construction equipment

• cranes

• military tanks

• semi truck frames

• trains

• school busses

Please consider these factors when making your choice.

Trailerman.