​Extreme Trailer – Lighter, Stronger, Less Maintenance

Steve Pollock
March 2018

DOVER, OH… Les Smith has spent 34 years in sales and manufacturing in the transportation industry, many of which were in aluminum trailer manufacturing. During that time Les learned a lot and also saw a need for an aluminum flatbed that would be light, but strong, and also incorporate several innovative ideas that would contribute to longevity, safety and ease of maintenance. Les found financial backers and invited his longtime friend Don Hayes to be part of the management team, because of his many years of involvement in manufacturing and manufacturing operations. In May of 2016, Extreme Trailers began building aluminum flatbeds from a plant in Dover, Ohio.

Les states, “Our goal is to build a high-quality product that will allow our customers to make more money with less problems.” It is all the little things that set the new Extreme Trailer apart from its competitors. Extreme is different from other manufacturers as the first thing they did was to identify the problems relevant to flatbed trailers that affect shippers, carriers and owner-operators alike. The company found the major issues to be strength, weight, safety and maintenance.

By utilizing some unique engineering techniques as well as using some patented proprietary components, Extreme has built an aluminum trailer that has a tare weight that is 1,000-1,800 pounds lighter than comparable models built by their competitors. At the same time, the Extreme Trailer is as strong or stronger than competitive aluminum trailers. The standard floor in an Extreme Trailer is 35-50% stronger than their competition. Extreme also offers customers optional crush-resistant technology that further increases the strength and integrity of the trailer’s floor. The Extreme Trailer is built as a hybrid, utilizing the benefits of both bolt together and welded technologies to provide greater strength and reduced maintenance. The trailer also utilizes a patented cross member design and features a bolt on rear bumper. A double frame rail is used on an 8” neck, providing more strength and flexibility for tarping systems. Extreme also incorporated a unique landing gear design, along with a unique slider design that features an aluminum slider rail with stainless steel inserts. The air and electrical lines are color coded and separated for added durability and ease of repair. There are even front and rear access panels to change out lights if necessary. The trailer itself has a 54” deck height that lowers the center of gravity for the load.

Extreme Trailers builds aluminum flatbeds and stepdecks in 96” or 102” widths and lengths ranging from 42’ to 53’. The trailers can be spec’d with tandem axles, multi axles or sliders. The company recently began building dump trailers as well as d B-trains.

Extreme Trailers is a family owned and operated company with Les Smith as its President and CEO. Les’s wife Laura is Controller, son Luke is VP of Supply Chain, Lance Smith is Plant Manager and daughter Lindsey Smith works behind the scenes assisting in marketing.

Another innovative product that Extreme Trailers is introducing at the Mid-America Truck Show is their patent-pending “Extreme T” cargo securement device. The “Extreme T’s” 45º swivel design allows the securement hook to make complete contact with the trailer’s J track, allowing safer and more stable load securement. The company will be taking orders for the “Extreme T” at MATS.

Come see the new Extreme Trailer and “Extreme T” cargo securement device at this year’s Mid-America Trucking Show. Extreme Trailer and Les Smith will be in the South Wing at Booth #32055. The Extreme Trailer is available from dealers throughout the US and Canada, with Trailer One of Medina, Ohio having the distinction of being the company’s first Extreme Trailer dealer.

Additional information is available on their website – www.extremetrailerllc.com or by calling 330-440-0198.