Each year, approximately 1.2 million horse, boat, RV and work trailers are sold in the United States. These trailers are primarily pulled by fullsize trucks and SUVs, and Chevrolet believes there is an opportunity to help trailer manufacturers and industry leaders better understand the future direction of truck and trailering technology.
As an award-winning industry leader in trailering, Chevrolet is partnering with the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) and the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) to create a more integrated trailering experience for trailer owners.
“Our owners are often towing something, from an RV to construction equipment, that is more valuable than their truck,” said Tim Herrick, General Motors future truck executive chief engineer. “Unequivocally, they tell us that they are looking for a better towing experience. Safer, easier, with more integration between their trailer and their truck.”
By working directly with the industry, Chevrolet will help trailer manufacturers develop technologies that improve combined trailer and truck safety and industry safety standards. The partners will also work to increase communication between truck and trailer to provide the driver with more information and help alert customers to prevent trailer tampering or theft.
National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) is the Association of light- and medium-duty trailer manufacturers and suppliers to the industry. Founded in 1987, NATM is dedicated to improving trailer safety and performance. The Association seeks to promote awareness of safety and provide a voice for trailer manufacturers and their suppliers when issues of trailer safety and regulation are considered by Congress and relevant government agencies.
NATM’s dedication to improving trailer safety is achieved in a myriad of ways, but primarily through the Compliance Verification Program. The Program is mandatory for all trailer manufacturer members, and requires biennial verification that members have the manufacturing processes in place to build trailers that meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and industry best practices.
