Trailer Safety Week (TSW), a national awareness campaign focusing on trailer education, made its debut just three years ago. Since its inaugural year, this safety initiative has piqued interest across the nation amongst trailer manufacturers, suppliers, dealers, end-users and law enforcement. The 2020 Trailer Safety Week was no exception and saw another record-breaking year for participation, social media engagement and a plethora of media coverage. 

Trailer Safety Week Allies
Trailer Safety Week Allies ranged from law enforcement departments and industry partners to trailer manufacturers, suppliers and dealers. The 2020 TSW saw over 235 allies committed to trailer safety and education—a 56% growth from 2019.  Allies were equipped with the official TSW Communications Kit, a marketing toolkit created specifically for TSW Allies, to effectively communicate the importance of trailer safety. This year, Allies sent TSW information directly to over 3,000 dealers and end-users. Allies played an important role in not only the education of their customers and followers, but in helping generate awareness and drive traffic to NATM’s social media platforms as well as TrailerSafetyWeek.com. 

Social Media Success
2020 marked the first year that the TSW awareness campaign was hosted entirely online. Through the #TrailerSafetyWeek social media campaign, and with the help of more than 235 TSW Allies, the importance of safe trailering reached thousands across several social media channels. Countless social media posts were created and shared on Facebook in hopes to better educate end-users on important safety measures to take when trailering. In addition to this, NATM shared several trailer safety posts on its social platforms. These posts featured trailering tips every trailer user should know, the importance of the NATM Decal and more, which earned a reach of over 32,000 people—a 102% growth from 2019. 

TrailerSafetyWeek.com
TrailerSafetyWeek.com hosts an easily accessible Towing Safely Guide that is free to all. Since the inaugural TSW, this website has seen nearly 14,400 unique visitors. The TSW website also earned over 30,000 SEO impressions in the month of June alone. TSW Allies’ efforts on social media led nearly 3,000 new visitors to TrailerSafetyWeek.com throughout the month of June—a testament to the impact Allies have on generating safe trailering awareness. It is apparent that TrailerSafetyWeek.com is not only being utilized during the week itself, but 365 days a year. 

Join The Movement
Trailer Safety Week continues to be a step in the right direction for the trailer industry. With the support of our members, an effective social media campaign, countless TSW Allies and coverage in several news publications, this safety awareness campaign allowed safe trailering to become more visible to the general public.
 
“Trailer Safety Week was once again a huge success thanks to the support of Trailer Safety Allies across the country,” said NATM Executive Director Kendra Ansley. “NATM is already looking for new ways to further expand the reach of our efforts next year. With the introduction of Trailer Safety Champions and Partners, we are looking for companies interested in taking allyship one step further, including companies interested in sharing their safe trailering expertise. Companies in the trailer industry are regularly contacting the NATM to learn more about participating, with one new Partnership already in development. The staff is using the momentum and excitement of this year’s success to begin planning for next year’s Trailer Safety Week that will be held June 6-12, 2021. Improving trailer safety will take every facet of the industry working together to be successful and we look forward to more organizations getting involved at the level – ally, champion, partner - that best suits their needs.”
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Those interested in joining this trailer safety movement can find more information at https://www.trailersafetyweek.com/interest or by contacting the TSW team at TrailerSafetyWeek@natm.com. 

Whenever trailer tires are discussed, it is important to remind people that there are followers and leaders in both life and the tire industry. Whether you use a bias ply tire or a radial tire, remember trailer tires, ST’s, are followers, not leaders. Trailer tires, both bias and radial, are designed specifically to handle the stress and dynamics of towing. Unlike passenger car tires used for towing applications, sidewall flexing, one of the major causes of swaying during trailer operation, is controlled by trailer tire construction. Another thing that sets trailer tires apart from passenger car tires is that tires of equivalent size would have significantly different load-carrying capacities. As a result of trailer tire construction, either bias or radial, the trailer tire would carry more load than the passenger equivalent. It is also important to remember that when a passenger car tire is used on a trailer you need to reduce the load rating inscribed on the sidewall by 11 percent due to the tire construction differences.

Trailer tires are required for towing applications, but how do you choose between bias and radial tires for your trailer products? There is no right or wrong answer to this question. Both tires are designed for the task at hand, and whether you select bias or radial, the load rating for each size is equivalent in either models. Not to say there aren’t differences that may help you in the decision-making process. Let’s consider the differences.

Basic tire construction is different between bias and radial tires. A bias ply tire is built with a 30 to 45-degree cord angle to the center line of the tire. A radial tire is built with cord at 90 degrees to the tire’s centerline. The 90-degree construction allows for more surface contact with the radial while the bias tire rides more on the center crown of the tire. The tire footprint is dictated by the basic tire construction. The larger radial footprint allows more ground contact for more even tread wear with the load distributed over more area. More surface contact also allows for the tire heat, which builds up during use, to be distributed over more of the tire’s surface. As a result, a radial tire will run cooler during operation and in many cases provide longer wear.

Analysis of the specific application your trailer will be used for is a significant deciding factor in your tire selection. A radial tire most certainly has it merits, but a bias tire also has its advantages. The sidewall on a bias tire is more rugged and “bruise” resistant. The stiffer sidewall on a bias tire also performs extremely well on rough terrain. Generally speaking, a bias tire ply is less costly than its radial brother. This could be an important consideration in a trailer application because many trailers are used infrequently, minimizing some of the radial’s benefits.
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Some rules of thumb to consider: rough terrain, short travel distances, infrequent trailer use, and cost consideration, bias may be the right choice. Long travel distances, highway use on paved surfaces, no budget considerations and smooth ride requirements, radial is an ideal choice.
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Whether you choose radial or bias your tire of choice will perform to it maximum efficiency if you keep it properly inflated, don’t overload your trailer, distribute your cargo evenly, and protect your tires from damaging UV sun rays when not in use.   

NATM is thrilled to be heading to Nashville, Tenn. for the 33rd Annual Convention & Trade Show being held February 23-25, 2021. Make plans
​to join your peers in the light- and medium-duty trailer industry at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center!
 
NATM has been closely monitoring COVID-19 and is working with the Gaylord to create proper protocols for all attendees. Safety is our top priority, and we will ensure the correct steps are taken to protect all attendees as much as possible as we continue to plan the event.
 
Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center
Situated in the heart of Nashville, the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center allows you to hit all the high notes of Music City both under their roof and in the surrounding area. Catch a show at the Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium, then return to the nine acres of lush indoor gardens and cascading waterfalls. A full-service spa is also offered for a more relaxing way to unwind. When it's time to refuel, indulge in Mexican, Italian and Japanese restaurants followed by a frozen yogurt or gelato dessert.

The discounted NATM rate for the Gaylord is $230 per night. Gaylord Opryland suites offer many special amenities including bay windows, balconies with patio furniture and plenty of space to relax on your trip. The resort offers room options that allow you to relax and unwind in comfort. Atrium View rooms offer unrivaled views of one-of-a-kind atriums that host tropical environments with waterfalls, fountain shows and fish ponds.
 
Nashville – Something for Everyone
Voted one of the Top 15 cities in the United States in 2019, Nashville offers a unique experience for all of its visitors! Much more than a honky-tonk town — though if you’re after energy-packed nightlife and live music, you won’t be disappointed. From the historic Grand Ole Opry to new James Beard Award-winning restaurants, industrial-chic hotels to cowboy-boot shops, there’s plenty to enjoy in Music City.

The sound of Nashville reverberates from the city’s downtown core where visitors from all over the world converge with the business and government district. Running smack in the middle is Lower Broadway where world-class live music 365 days of the year and never charge a cover. In the area “North of Broadway” are historic buildings reimagined into music attractions, boutique hotels, art galleries, and chef-driven restaurants, and “South of Broadway” are newly constructed hotels, eateries, music venues, and attractions. Wherever you go, there is plenty of fun to be had around Nashville’s incredibly walkable downtown.
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Nashville’s connection to music is unequaled, and its reputation as Music City has been consistently proven for over 200 years. Welcome to the city where music is written, recorded and performed every single day. Welcome, to Music City.

Membership renewal forms will be mailed and emailed to NATM members this November. In order to avoid a membership lapse, 2021 dues are to be paid by January 31, 2021.

For Trade Show Exhibitors, it is important to note that NATM DUES MUST BE PAID BY DECEMBER 31st, 2020 to maintain the member rate for booths at the February 2021 Convention & Trade Show in Nashville, TN.


Membership dues will again go unchanged in 2021. Rates are $795 for Associate (Supplier) members, $135 for Associate Branch members, $925 for Regular and International Regular (Trailer Manufacturer) members and $300 for Regular Branch members. If you joined between February and October of 2020, your 2021 dues are prorated accordingly.

NATM greatly values your membership and 2021 promises to be another fantastic year to be a NATM member. You can pay by check, over the phone, or online. The NATM website has a “Members Only” section where companies are able to sign in and pay dues at any time.
 
2020 Added Benefits
This year, NATM has maintained the many benefits members know and utilize, while also adding the following:

• Association Health Plan (AHP) for most NATM member companies.
• Continuing the Association’s 2019-2021 strategic plan focusing on industry growth, increasing brand awareness, and continuously improving the NATM Compliance Verification Program.
• Hosting additional virtual educational resources online such as webinars and presentations.
• Growing the reach of Trailer Safety Week, including the introduction of strategic partnerships and access to additional resources.
• Devoting resources to marketing the NATM Compliance Verification Program and benefits of the Association to the industry as well as to end-users to grow value of the NATM Compliance Decal.
• Establishing the NATM Association Retirement Plan for member companies to offer their employees.

 
COVID-19: NATM is Here for You
For many NATM members, this has been a difficult and uncertain time. NATM knows that members are getting creative about how to approach the myriad of new challenges that exist. NATM is working to help members navigate this time by providing resources and information promptly. In response to COVID-19, NATM has:

• Created the NATM Guidance on Workplace Safety for COVID-19, which includes information from the CDC and OSHA. The document includes examples from similar industries to help members identify implementable safety protocols for the trailer manufacturing industry.
• Created a COVID-19 Resource Center on NATM.com, which is updated regularly so that members have access to the latest information and guidance when they need it most.
• Sent a letter to Vice President Pence outlining the experience of NATM members during this outbreak, including the efforts they are undertaking to protect their workforce. It further discusses the uncertainty facing the industry and the need for relief.
• Partnered with Marsh and McLennan Agency (MMA) and brought members and dealer affiliates a weekly COVID-19 webinar series intended to help the trailer manufacturing industry move forward.
• Surveyed members on the impact of COVID-19 to be used in advocacy efforts, as data points for participants, and for the Association to evaluate its benefits moving forward.

 
For questions regarding your company’s membership or the renewal process, please contact NATM Assistant Director Meghan Ryan at Meghan.Ryan@natm.com or (785) 272-4433. 

Nominations are now open for the 2021-2024 term on the NATM Board of Directors. Would you like to be a part of the future success of NATM, or do you know someone that would be a strong leader for the Association?
 
For more than 30 years NATM has been fortunate to be guided by committed and visionary members serving on the Board of Directors. It is because of these boards that NATM has a Compliance Verification Program, has been able to respond to issues such as tandem towing and tariff challenges, has created a national campaign to raise awareness of safe trailering, and launch a Dealer Affiliate program. Through strategic planning, meaningful discussion and decisive action, the NATM Board is tasked with ensuring that the industry and the Association continues to thrive and grow.
 
Nominations Process
In accordance with the NATM Bylaws, the board of directors calls for nominations from the Association’s membership. Election of directors takes place by email ballot prior to the annual NATM Convention & Trade Show. Typically, the call for nominations goes out in September. Nominated candidates fill out a questionnaire, which is reviewed by the nominations committee. The nominations committee, chaired by the current vice president, selects a slate of candidates for approval by the board of directors. Ballots are sent to all NATM Regular and Associate Members in December. Regular members (trailer manufacturers) elect the regular member directors and associate members (suppliers) elect associate member directors.
 
Board Member Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Attend all board meetings and committee meetings, training sessions and special meetings, as appropriate in accordance with the board participation policy (must be available for occasional conference call meetings throughout the year). Annually, there are four in-person scheduled board meetings that include one at the annual NATM Convention & Trade Show.
• Attend and participate in the NATM Annual Convention & Trade Show. Board members are expected to attend and participate in as many convention meetings, luncheons and agenda events as possible.
• Attend meetings at your own expense (hotels can cost up to $250 per night, and total meeting expenses including air fare will range from $1,000 to $1,500 per meeting).
• Understand and support the Association, its mission, goals, objectives, programs, operations and functioning.
• Participate fully and openly in board meetings, sharing insights, ideas and suggestions that may benefit the Association and the industry.
• Serve and actively participate on one or more committees, as appointed by the president.
• Keep informed about and know what is happening in the industry and never hesitate to ask questions or request information to enhance that knowledge.
• Make decisions on Association and industry-wide issues, policies, programs, goals and objectives based upon careful consideration of all relevant facts and data.
• Provide advice, counsel and encouragement to staff, including outside professionals, but offer constructive criticism when necessary and appropriate.
• Serve as an advocate for the trailer manufacturing industry and the Association, placing those interests ahead of your own and your company’s interests, consistent with the Board’s Conflict of Interest and Disclosure Policy.
• Carry out special assignments as requested by the board president

 
Terms and Term Limits
Board members may serve two consecutive terms, of three years each, on the NATM Board of Directors. A member who is appointed to fill a vacancy on the board of directors is eligible to be elected for two complete terms following appointment to the board.
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How to Apply or Nominate a Candidate
If you are interested or know someone interested in serving on the NATM Board of Directors, please fill out the form at the bottom of this page. If you would like more information about the responsibilities and time commitment for serving on the board, contact NATM Executive Director Kendra Ansley at (785) 272-4433 or Kendra.Ansley@natm.com. Nominations must be received by Sept. 30, 2020 in order to be considered. 

​As COVID-19 continues to spread, the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) has been monitoring the situation closely. The cornerstone of NATM’s mission is safety, and the Association takes the safety of its employees, members, and the many citizens impacted by its work very seriously. On March 13, 2020, NATM suspended travel for its employees, but is now allowing limited travel to member facilities within driving distance. In monitoring the recommendations of public health officials, the Centers for Disease Control, and OSHA amongst many resources, NATM feels it is prudent at this time to continue to implement precautions to protect its team and those who come in contact with them throughout the course of their daily lives.

At this time, the impact of these precautions is mostly on the NATM Compliance Verification Program’s onsite consultations. NATM and its compliance consultants have transitioned to either entirely remote or a hybrid remote-onsite consultations with members whose compliance certifications are set to expire in the near future and with new members.

NATM was well-positioned for this change with the recent transition to electronic checklists and a history of completing international member consultations mostly through a remote process. However, there are still many hurdles for both consultants and members to overcome in order to complete the thorough consultation NATM members have come to expect. The two main challenges being encountered and the ways to mitigate those are:

Contacting Members – Most, if not all, members have seen their work environment and processes drastically changed and their workload increase as a result. Many members have reported an increasing volume of email communications as well as a workforce shortage and order backlogs which often results in being away from email or phones for extended periods of time. Together, these challenges have created significant delays in responsiveness as consultations are scheduled via email.  NATM understands the mounting pressures members are facing and are working to find ways to increase flexibility as members cope and adapt. For example, if a member’s business has been shut down due to COVID-19, NATM would not expect a consultation immediately. As a company’s expiration date draws near, members are encouraged to keep an eye out and respond promptly to consultant scheduling attempted to prevent any gaps in compliance or issues filling decal orders.

Providing Evidence for Consultation – Under normal conditions, NATM consultants typically view all checklist items in-person during onsite consultations. These items range from tire recordkeeping to the lens coding on tail lamps. The work for the most part is left to the NATM Consultant through the onsite inspection process. The challenge then is ensuring a thorough inspection of these items while completing the consultation remotely, which means requesting more effort and support from members through the process.

There are currently two options to address the challenge of providing evidence to meet the NATM Compliance Verification Program requirements: hybrid remote-onsite consultations and entirely remote consultations.

One year ago, NATM announced the launch of its Dealer Affiliate Program. The Association has been committed to the light- and medium-duty trailer industry for more than 30 years, with its focus on the manufacturing of compliant trailers. The extension to include trailer dealers as affiliates was a natural next step in the evolution of NATM’s expanding trailer safety efforts.

NATM Dealer Affiliate Program
Trailer dealers serve as the main point of contact during the sales process of many NATM compliant trailers. This group is also a key stakeholder in the fight to improve trailer safety as it is in their best interest that their customers are safe and happy with their purchase. As a result, NATM created the NATM Dealer Affiliate Program.

Increasing end-user awareness of the importance of the NATM Compliance Verification Program has consistently ranked as a top priority for trailer manufacturing members. By bringing trailer dealers in as affiliates, NATM is better able to serve its membership by directly communicating about the importance of purchasing NATM compliant trailers.
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The NATM Dealer Affiliation is $150 and affiliates experience a host of benefits, with an emphasis on education and resource access. The following list includes current Dealer Affiliate benefits:

More details about the program can be found at www.natm.com/dealers.html. Have ideas for additional benefits? Contact NATM Membership & Events Director Kelli Maydew at Kelli.Maydew@natm.com or call (785) 272-4433. ​

​NATM is excited to be using Map Your Show’s online booth sales software again for the NATM Convention & Trade Show in Nashville Feb. 23-35, 2021. This program has proven to be a time saving and far less frustrating process for exhibitors. There is no more waiting around until your contract arrives to see what booth you have been assigned. This user-friendly software will allow you to select your desired booth in real-time! The opportunity to select exhibitor space at the 2021 trade show has been made available to suppliers and service providers in the following phases:
 
Phase 1: 2020 sponsors choose their booths first during the following dates:

• June 15 – June 21

 
Phase 2: 2020 non-sponsor exhibitors select their booths during the following dates:

• June 22 – June 28

 
Phase 3: The general membership and non-members will be allowed to choose booth space:

• June 29 – Until Sold Out

 
The 2020 sponsors and exhibitors that sign up by September 13 will receive a discounted rate of $1,228 per 10’x10’ booth. The rate for any member that signs up for booth space after September 13 will be $1,428 per 10’x10’ booth. Booth spaces for non-members of NATM are $2,856.
 
On the day your booth selection window opens, you will receive an email from NATM notifying you that the booth sales application is now available online for your company. Within this email a unique code is provided that, when entered, pre-populates the online booth sales application. Within the app, exhibitors can view the 2021 show floorplan and select the desired booth(s).
 
During the completion of the online application, exhibitors pay for their booth(s) with credit card. Once NATM show management approves the application, an email containing login credentials to the exhibitor dashboard is sent. The dashboard allows exhibitors to update their company profile and contact information and view other important information relevant to the upcoming show. As always, the sign up for booth space is first-come, first-served. You can sign up at any time after your group’s window begins. If you miss the window for your group, the privilege of choice during your group’s time is lost. Be sure to mark your calendar to remember to sign up as soon as you receive your email from NATM!
 
If you have any questions regarding how to book your exhibit space or if you would like to be a sponsor at the 2021 Convention & Trade Show, contact NATM Membership & Events Director, Kelli Maydew at Kelli.Maydew@natm.com or (785) 272-4433. 

While NATM prides itself on promoting trailer safety 365 days of the year, Trailer Safety Week offers a unique opportunity
for the trailer industry to come together and make the nation’s roadways safer one trailer at a time. The mission of Trailer Safety Week (TSW) is to improve the safety of the nation’s roadways by increasing trailer safety awareness through education of end-users, dealers, and manufacturers on safe trailering practices. Held the first week of June every year, Trailer Safety Week reaches over 60,000 individuals annually and is the first nationwide traffic safety initiative aimed at addressing safe towing practices for light- and medium-duty trailers. NATM has developed content and resources in furtherance of this mission, all available through www.TrailerSafteyWeek.com.

This year’s national awareness campaign takes place June 7-13, 2020. Trailer Safety Week has historically featured both onsite facility events and online presence. For 2020, NATM is encouraging its members to focus efforts online to reach end- users and dealers as either Trailer Safety Allies, Champions or Partners.

The next level of involvement is TSW Partnerships. The Trailer Safety Week Partnership program was established to recognize companies, groups, and agencies who support the mission of Trailer Safety Week through content development and resource sharing. Partnerships require more significant commitment in terms of educational content creation and the sharing of content and must conform to specific standards and requirements.

For more information about becoming a Trailer Safety Ally, Champion or Partner, visit www.TrailerSafetyWeek.com, or email NATM Assistant Director Meghan Ryan at Meghan.Ryan@natm.com.
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NATM looks forward to working with its members to improve the safety of the light- and medium-duty trailer industry! 

For the first time in NATM history, the Association is excited to invite trailer dealers to the 33rd Annual NATM Convention & Trade Show in Nashville, Tenn. Feb. 23-25, 2021!

NATM has been committed to trailer safety for more than 30 years. While NATM has long worked with trailer manufacturers, industry suppliers, and service providers, trailer safety can only be improved through dealer interaction and consumer education. Expanding the Association’s base to include dealer affiliates and now allowing dealers to attend the Annual Convention & Trade Show is the logical next step to advancing the mission of NATM.

The NATM Convention & Trade Show is the annual trade show for the light- and medium-duty trailer industry. With more than 1,000 trailer manufacturer and supplier attendees per year and growing, this "must attend" event provides education, networking and communication for those in the industry. The 2020 soldout trade show boasted over 200 exhibiting companies, with 37 new exhibitors, which gave attendees a variety of products and services to view. The show also included attendees from over 100 trailer manufacturers companies from across North America.

Dealer attendees will have the opportunity to participate in all workshops and technical forums, along with dealer-centered educational sessions. Plan to attend the trade show, which will house 298 booths and an opportunity to network with manufacturers and distributors! Of course, don’t forget the awards luncheon – join your industry peers for a plated lunch and perhaps be the first ever dealer to win an award from NATM. Special networking events will provide the opportunity to mingle with fellow industry peers, trailer manufacturers, and NATM Board Members and staff while in Music City.

NATM is thrilled to involve dealers at the annual show! The Association’s purpose is to open up lines of communication, increase trailer safety awareness, and provide dealers with the education and information they have long requested from NATM. NATM has worked diligently with committees, trailer manufacturers, industry suppliers, and dealers to create a path of inclusion for dealers. NATM can’t wait for you to see what they have planned!

NATM will be offering a “New Dealer Promotion” to help offset costs for dealers attending the show. Companies can sign up for NATM’s Dealer Affiliate Program for just $150 and are then eligible for two complimentary registrations and two free hotel room nights while available! The NATM Dealer Affiliate program is an opportunity to unify the trailer industry in an effort to improve trailer safety and gain access to resources and information previously only available to trailer manufacturers and industry suppliers. To read more about the Dealer Affiliate Program, visit NATM.com/dealers. Non-affiliate dealers can register to attend for $300.