Manufacturers and suppliers to the light- and medium-duty trailer industry benefit from membership in the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers in many ways. 

Published bi-monthly, Tracks, the official publication of the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers, is packed with information on the association’s activities, plans and the latest regulations from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Tracks features regular columns from the NATM president, technical director, and executive director, briefing members on the current affairs of the association and industry. Regular features also include member profiles, product profiles, Government Affairs update, and news releases about NATM members.

Since its inception, NATM has worked to improve safety and reliability of the light- and medium-duty trailer manufacturing industry through the promotion of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and recognized manufacturing practices. This is accomplished through education and publication of the Guidelines for Recommended Minimum Manufacturing Practices for Light- and Medium-Duty Trailers (Guidelines). 

This publication is a compilation of federal rules, regulations, standards and accepted industry practices that govern trailer construction. The Guidelines are available free only to members of NATM, saving manufacturers days of research time on difficult-to-locate requirements. The Guidelines are reviewed and revised annually and are also available in a CD-rom version.

The goal of NATM is to promote safety in the trailer manufacturing industry. NATM compliance consultants visit members to review the NATM Compliance Checklist and ensure that the member has the manufacturing processes in place to manufacture trailers in accordance with the Guidelines. This service is provided free of charge as a benefit to members. Members must undergo a consultation every 24 months to remain in compliance. Follow-up consultations are free of charge to those members purchasing compliance decals. 

Members that have been determined through the compliance consultation procedure to have in place the appropriate processes to manufacture trailers in compliance with the Guidelines are eligible to purchase Compliance Decals. The distinctive red, white, blue and gold decal states, “MANUFACTURED IN COMPLIANCE WITH NATM GUIDELINES.” NATM is working to educate consumers and trailer dealers to look for the compliance decal when purchasing a trailer.

NATM associate members (suppliers) requesting NATM to endorse and help promote their products and services to NATM manufacturing members are asked to apply for NATM endorsement and sign an affinity agreement. The formal arrangement requires board approval for an initial three-year term, and provides NATM members with discounts and the association with non-dues revenue in the form of negotiated royalty payments in return for endorsement and promotion.

Over the years, NATM has developed reliable contacts throughout the U.S. Department of Transportation and Transport Canada. These relationships help NATM obtain answers to member’s regulatory questions. The NATM government affairs firm monitors the Federal Register for federal agency announcements of rule changes that could potentially impact the trailer manufacturing industry. The firm assists NATM in preparing and presenting appropriate written comments and evidence to the federal agencies to ensure that federal regulators hear and understand the unique position of the light- and medium-duty trailer manufacturer before final rules are issued. When necessary, NATM meets with agency officials and staff to explain the trailer manufacturer’s point of view and to assist the agency in learning more about our industry.

NATM’s Technical Director is available to assist members with their technical and compliance questions. In addition, his regular articles in Tracks cover important issues and answers to frequently asked questions.

NATM offers an in-depth program on manufacturing concerns, featuring knowledgeable and nationally-known experts. A valued feature of the annual meeting is the trade show, where manufacturers can find new products and services and locate new or backup suppliers and vendors. The business meetings and social events held during the annual convention give members the opportunity to network with both manufacturers and suppliers.

NATM is working to educate consumers to look for the compliance decal when purchasing a trailer. Posters and countertop displays are provided to compliant members to distribute to their dealers. These attractive, colorful marketing materials can be displayed at trade shows and at the trailer dealership to inform consumers about the significance of the compliance decal and to urge them to look for the decal when buying a trailer.

The proper use of a trailer is a complex undertaking and trailer users need guidance. An owner's manual is a critical ingredient in helping new trailer owners understand how to safely use their trailers. NATM has developed an economical solution with a set of individual product line manuals. These manuals include:

There are 12 manuals available, each one addressing the specifics of that particular product line. Each manual has the required compliance items and includes the following sections:

These new generic User’s Manuals are available for a fee and members are able to purchase only the ones they need. Manual are available in a digital ready-to-print or printed copies. The manuals may be purchased directly from NATM for the product lines and quantities needed. For larger quantities of pre-printed orders customizing is available, such as adding company logo, name, address or pictures to the cover.

For more information, contact NATM headquarters at (785) 272-4433.

PartnerShip This program will help members reduce shipping costs by utilizing leading carriers in the transportation industry. Enrollment is free of charge and participating members will receive discounts on select FedEx services including FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, and FedEx Home. There are also discounts on freight shipments with UPS Freight and YRC – Yellow and Roadway together as YRC. PartnerShip will provide a free freight analysis to compare NATM pricing versus that of your current carriers. There are no obligations and no minimum shipping requirements. Further information is available at www.partnership.com/44natm or by calling (800) 599-2902. Email inquiries can be sent to sales@partnership.com.

The BB&T Pruden Insurance, Dalton, GA team will use their existing expertise in the trailer manufacturing segment to market and place coverage for NATM members while advising when necessary on proper risk management techniques to assist members in reducing exposure to product liability loss.They will also assist in coordinating claims when they occur with the appropriate carriers."We are extremely excited to take what Jim Garnett at Interstate Insurance has done and continue to build upon his setting up of the exclusive product liability program for NATM members," says Clay Chambless, Vice President / Agency Manager, BB&T.For more information, contact Clay Chambless (cchambless@bbandt.com) or Cara Sandlin (csandlin@bbandt.com) of BB&T Insurance , Toll Free - (888) 646 6332 or (706) 278-1149, or NATM Headquarters at (785) 272-4433