Utility Trailer Manufacturing

Historical Highlights

1914

Company founded by H.C. Bennett and E.W. Bennett as Los Angeles Trailer Co., Inc.

Company develops the first mechanical brake to be used on a trailer.

1919

Company introduces air-actuated metal-to-metal brakes.

1923

First low-bed, multiwheel, heavy-duty trailer.

1925

Introduced pneumatic tires as original equipment for commercial trailers.

1926

Invented the roller fifth wheel, which eliminated whipping at the then high speeds of 20 to 25 mph.

1927

Was first to use duralumin metal in an all-welded frame, reducing tare weight.

1932

Introduced the use of the elliptical spring running gear.

1935

Utility’s exclusive axle suspension system eliminated weight transfer during braking.

1937

Utility employee, Fred P. Dunn, invented the first shockless, air-operated pintle hook for doubles operation.

Introduced the use of aluminum for trailer bodies as a method of reducing tare weight and included fully automatic support legs in the design.

1939

Celebrated 25 years in the trailer industry.

1940s

Company has a government order to build 3,000 ammunition trailers in support of the war effort.

Company introduces integral frame bodies.

Company offered fully automatic support legs and various 6-wheel attachments and introduced the power-automatic semi-trailer.

1950s

Innovations included pioneering the use of polyurethane insulation in refrigerated vans, introducing monocoque aluminum van design, and enhancing sliding reefer doors with tighter seals and better tracking.

1960s

Company developed the converter dolly.

1972

Introduced the lightweight Superstar line of reefers and dry-freight vans.

1978

Invented and introduced the patented Barrier Door® and was the first in the industry to completely eliminate foam-piercing hardware in reefers.

1979

Pioneered the revolutionary waterproof electrical wiring harness system.

1981

Utility introduced the Tautliner to the U.S., the world’s foremost-patented curtain-sided convertible van to flatbed system.

1986

Company introduced the 2000R reefer.

1990s

Company introduced the 2000-D Dry Freight Van and CenterSeal line of multi-temp refrigerated trailers.

2000

The 3000R refrigerated trailer is introduced at the International Trucking Show in Las Vegas, Nevada.

2006

Offered LED lighting options to lower operating costs.

2007

The 4000D-X Dry Freight Van is the first trailer in the industry to be EPA Certified SmartWay.

2009

Introduced the 4000D-X Composite dry van trailer.

2011

Introduced the Adjustable Load Securement System for flatbeds and EPA SmartWay verified advanced side skirt.

2014

Utility celebrates its 100th year of building trailers.

Utility is first trailer manufacturer to include Roll Stability as a standard base spec on its 3000R.

2016

The heavy-duty 4000D-X Composite TBR dry van and the next-generation 4000AE combo flatbed are introduced.

2018

Tautliner new features Kin-Sider curtains by Kinedyne.

The 20K Duct Floor System becomes standard on the 3000R base model reefer.

Utility Aerodynamic Tail (UAT) introduced at the 2018 Utility Sales Meeting.

2019

Glade Spring, Virginia builds its 100,000th dry van – a 4000D-X Composite® TBR.