As of December 2000, TIP Intermodal Services has launched a two-year, $15-million Trailer Stretch Program to convert 45-foot trailers to 48-footers. TIP entered the intermodal business in 1993 and introduced 48-ft trailers with radial tires. Through acquisitions, including Bay Cities Leasing in 1998 and Redon in 1990, TIP expanded its trailer fleet to 31,000 units, including both 45- and 48-ft trailers.
Alan B Messing, vice-president-Trailer Division and marketing, said, "Clearly, 48-footers are overwhelmingly the trailer of choice because they more closely match shipper loading patterns and offer increased opportunity for backhaul. While 45-footers still make up the largest part of the national trailer fleet, rail-controlled trailer loading statistics during 2000 show that the 48-ft trailer market share has increased from 46% to 50% while 45-footers have decreased from 53% to 50%. At the conclusion of the two-year program, 48-ft trailers with radial tires will represent in excess of 80% of TIP Intermodal's entire trailer fleet."
Current plans call for the first conversions to be available in early 2001.