I've been removed from the direct management of a fleet for several years, but the issue I want to discuss hasn't changed for at least 40 years from an overall conceptual engineering viewpoint and application.

Back in my fleet management days, the highest and most prolific trailer cost-per-mile item that weighted our overall trailer maintenance cost was not brakes, but the maintenance of roll-up doors. This component, although probably not considered by many a major component, ranked clearly as the number one trailer cost in the LTL transportation fleet that I managed. By the way, we had over 17,000 trailers so my data was accurately assessed and clear. Over the years, prior to and subsequent to my exit from this direct management position, I've heard the same comments from fleet manager's year in and year out.

Door rollers, lack of lubrication schedules and/or simply the lack of availability to service door panels, springs, latches, door hold-backs, and roller tracks represent the entire system component, i.e. THE ROLL-UP DOOR ASSEMBLY. This system also represents the most abused and design-flawed product associated with today's "modern" trailer system.

I'm very much aware of the difficulties associated with the serviceability of the above listed components, but my point here is that a 40-50 year-old strategic and costly component has not been significantly challenged or changed in basic structure and operation. The answer doesn't lie with the less costly swing back doors, but they too have their short-falls, lack of proficiency chief among them when engaged in the daily delivery and loading dock scenarios of many LTL trailers, delivery trucks, and regionally operated trailers.

The necessity for roll-up will take precedence over swing-back every time, regardless of their exponentially higher material and labor costs. That said, it's obvious that the roll-up door concept, or something better and similar, so it's incumbent upon door manufacturers to make strides in engineering to develop door functionality that will minimize maintenance, up-keep and associated material cost, while providing operational proficiencies equal to or better than today's antiquated roll-up doors.

I wish I had the answer that would revolutionize the roll-up door industry. Unfortunately I don't. But there should be adequate engineering staff within door manufacturers to challenge their expertise and achieve Performa's that are cost-affective across every aspect of the transportation industry. I plan to initiate the above concerns at the 2010 TMC meeting in Tampa at the Town Meeting in hopes of establishing some degree of protocol to drive momentum towards accomplishing this much needed component design elevation.