Fruehauf Dump Trailers
August Fruehauf was the first semi-trailer manufacturer to bring the use of hydraulics to freight transport in the 1920’s. Lift gates could be lowered or raised for easy loading and unloading. Later, the Fruehauf engineers used hydraulics to create dump trailers. Simple utility trailers were modified with hydraulics to permit the unloading of bulk contents using gravity instead of manpower. Multiple axles were added to increase weight payload. Road building, mining and other heavy hauling industries benefited from these innovations.
During Roy Fruehauf's era who recognized the need for improved roads because of his association with President Eisenhower, he lobbied state legislatures to approve multiple axles gravel trains. In the state of Michigan, where Fruehauf was based, a maximum of eleven axles is permitted even today. Roy partnered with GMC to create a truck and trailer that was capable of hauling increased ton capacity. Using aviation tires and later, "super tires", these dump trailers, with rounded corners became known as "bath tubs."
During Detroit's hot summers, Fruehauf management would arrange for an empty "bath tub" to be filled with water and taken into the cities neighborhoods as a makeshift swimming pool to the delight of the inner city kids.
During Roy Fruehauf's era who recognized the need for improved roads because of his association with President Eisenhower, he lobbied state legislatures to approve multiple axles gravel trains. In the state of Michigan, where Fruehauf was based, a maximum of eleven axles is permitted even today. Roy partnered with GMC to create a truck and trailer that was capable of hauling increased ton capacity. Using aviation tires and later, "super tires", these dump trailers, with rounded corners became known as "bath tubs."
During Detroit's hot summers, Fruehauf management would arrange for an empty "bath tub" to be filled with water and taken into the cities neighborhoods as a makeshift swimming pool to the delight of the inner city kids.
