Among the highlights of the 2024 NATDA Trailer Show was the new product award program, Innovation Showcase.
The Innovation Showcase (formerly the New Product Display) was revamped to offer a “bigger and better attendee experience” with expanded categories. Throughout the show, dealers perused an array of new offerings throughout the display and show floor, including trailers, truck beds, parts, software, and services.
In addition to the overview of “what’s next” in the light- to medium-duty trailer industry, show attendees were able to vote on their favorite new products in three specific categories: Trailer Innovation, Dealership Innovation and Manufacturing Innovation.
“We are thrilled to extend our warmest congratulations to the exceptional winners of this year’s Innovation Showcase,” NATDA Executive Director Andria Gibbon said. “It was exciting to see the groundbreaking ideas and innovations demonstrate the power of forward thinking and the ability to shape a brighter future for the industry.”
Trailers
The Manufacturer Innovation Award: Formerly known as the Most Innovative Trailer or Truck Bed Award, the Manufacturer Innovation Award highlights the most innovative trailer or truck bed submission categories which included Cargo/Concession Trailer, Heavy-Duty Trailer, Livestock Trailer, Recreational Trailer, Truck Bed or Service Body, Utility Trailer, and Vehicle Trailer. Category winners were selected by popular votes with the First Place Winner being voted Best Overall by the NATDA Dealer Advisory Council.
- First Place (Best Overall): Diamond C Trailers
The HXD Equipment Trailer boasts a 102” wide tilt deck with drive-over fenders and a dual power/gravity tilt system. Designed for easy loading of wide, heavy-duty equipment, it’s built to handle tough jobs with ease.
- Best Vehicle Trailer: Timpte
The 1026 EZ Load Trailer features our state-of-the-art Powered EZ Load Deck System that allows users to effortlessly raise and lower the deck bed using the wireless remote or the main switch located in the toolbox, eliminating the need for ramps, and streamlining the loading and unloading process. The system now includes a self-locking cylinder that automatically engages to secure the deck in place, ensuring a “one-step” operation for added convenience and safety.
- Best Heavy Duty Trailers: Sure-Trac (Novae)
The Roll-Off Dump Trailer from Sure-Trac features a carrier with a universal application, meaning it can load/carry multiple lengths of bins, as well bins from other manufacturers. The universal carrier makes it easy for a contractor to expand their fleet of bins, with one carrier.
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- Best Cargo Trailer: CellTech
What makes the Service Trailer unique is the integration of external storage compartment lockers—allowing users to store their equipment in an organized and easily accessible way. This feature not only boosts work efficiency but also drastically enhances safety during transportation.
Components
The Trailer Innovation Award: The Trailer Innovation Award applies to physical products and components that would be used on a trailer or truck bed to enhance trailer performance.
- First place: BulletProof Hitches
The BulletProof Road Suppressor Dual Ball is designed to reduce the transfer of vibration and bumps from the trailer to the tow vehicle. This protects the trailer cargo and the suspension on the tow vehicle. This new product works with all BulletProof hitches and comes with a lifetime warranty. The patented road suppression technology is 100% maintenance free, providing up to a 90% smoother ride and is proven to reduce driver fatigue on long journeys.
- Second place: Gen-Y Hitch
The SnapLatch Coupler is designed to be the safest coupler on the market. Its self-latching design ensures a proper connection each time you connect to a trailer. The chamfered coupler allows for an easy and simple connection and resets for an easy hookup each time.
- Third Place: Valcrum
The 10-Way Hi-Amp Plug & Receptacle for bumper pull / gooseneck trailers delivers Big Power safely from your towing vehicle to your trailer in one OEM-style connection. Batteries not required. Patent pending.
Dealer programs
The Dealership Innovation Award: A brand-new award, the Dealership Innovation Award highlights the newest programs and services available to trailer dealerships to help elevate dealership performance.
- First place: Whole Hog
Whole Hog combines dealership management, inventory management, social media management, customer management and everything else into one “everything management software,” and utilizes AI to help manage and sell products in innovative and new ways.
- Second place: Dealer Spike
The integration of Sheffield Financials’ Prequalification Process with Dealer Spike’s Payment Genie allows customers to begin the purchase process online. Trailer dealers can increase their sales opportunities by providing consumers with a convenient application process.
- Third Place: 700 Credit
QuickScan makes it easy to verify a consumer’s Driver’s License, prequalify them for credit approval, and then easily capture their lead gen information.