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.