Fruehauf Trailer Company

Fruehauf

Fruehauf

The original Fruehauf Trailer Company was founded by August Charles Fruehauf in 1918 and credited with the invention of the semi-trailer. The Fruehauf Trailer Company introduced revolutionary inventions to trucking and transportation with hydraulic dump trailers, bulk tanker trailers, and automatic fifth wheel coupling among their over one thousand patents.

 

August Fruehauf - Founder of Fruehauf Trailer Company
August Fruehauf - Founder of Fruehauf Trailer Company

Trailer Manufacturer Profile

  • Company: Fruehauf Trailer Company / Fruehauf Corporation
  • Parent Company:
  • Headquarters:
  • Founded Date: 1918
  • Founder: August Charles Fruehauf
  • Traded as:
  • Subsidiaries / Brands:
  • Website: fruehaufinc.com
  • Learn More: Related Content

Trailer Types

Fruehauf Dry Van Semi-Trailer

Historical Highlights

1914

Blacksmith and carriage builder August Fruehauf is asked by a Michigan businessman, Frederic M Sibley, to build a transport trailer for his boat. He asks that the trailer be capable of being hauled behind a Ford Model T. After the success of this trailer, Sibley asks Fruehauf to build similar trailers to be used for hauling lumber. Fruehauf builds the trailers, which he calls “semi-trailers.”

1918

August Fruehauf incorporated the Fruehauf Trailer Company.

1989

Financial issues result in the sell-off of company divisions. The truck trailer unit continues operation as Fruehauf Trailer Corporation.

1996

Fruehauf Trailer Corporation files for bankruptcy. Its assets are purchased by Wabash National.

2022

Fruehauf Trailer Production Returns to US

Fruehauf Trailer Historical Society

Fruehauf Trailer Historical Society

The Fruehauf Trailer Historical Society was created by Ruth Fruehauf and Darlene Norman to preserve the history of the Fruehauf Trailer Company and the Fruehauf family.