GREAT DANE CHAMPION CL
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Van Great Dane Champion Cl Model
Exterior Features
Front End Strength
Crucial front end strength is provided by six 2.5" deep hatsection16-gauge steel posts with flat aluminum front panels riveted to the posts on 2" centers at sheet laps. Optional 10-gauge steel posts are available for heavy-duty operations. The uprights are reinforced at the bottom by a 3/16" x 4" internal steel bulkhead, adding extra strength and protecting against forklift damage. The .050" aluminum 6" radius corner sheets are protected by 18-guage galvanized steel inner corner linings for puncture resistance and greater durability.
Front Wall Protection
Air and electrical connections are mounted to the front wall on a stainless steel mounting plate for easy access and reduced maintenance. A one-piece extruded aluminum impact plate extends across the bottom front and around the corners to the side rails, eliminating the exposure of steel and the potential for rust. A standard 3.50" upper coupler with a .25" full-width approach plate turns upward, forward of the impact plate to help lift and protect the front end during coupling. Combined with a heavy-duty rolled-lip, the front of the upper coupler is protected from fifth wheel impact. Six heavy-duty formed channels inside the coupler provide additional support to the front wall and help to prevent bottom plate "cupping." The interior of the upper coupler is fully coated for corrosion protection.
Sidewall Strength
Exterior panels are standard in .050" flat, pre-painted white aluminum and are secured to 16-guage galvanized steel uprights on 12" centers ahead of the landing gear and 24" centers from the landing gear to the rear of the trailer. Aluminum side sheets are also available with corrugated sides and can be pre-painted with custom colors. Side sheets are riveted to uprights on 4" centers. For additional securement, the sheet laps and the front and rear frame connections are riveted on 2" centers. Top and bottom rail-to-sheet connections are fully caulked, and a foam sealing tape is used at sheet laps to provide a durable seal against water intrusion. An outer top rail splice plate adds strength to the front-to-sidewall top rail connection and provides protection from water intrusion. Corrugated .021" stainless steel exterior panels are available as an option for increased durability. The inherent resistance to damage and the mirror finish significantly reduce maintenance costs and provide a lasting beauty during the extended life of the trailer. The heaviest and strongest in the industry, the 11" deep extruded aluminum bottom rails are securely fastened with 3/8" diameter stainless steel fasteners to I-beam crossmembers on 12" centers.
Undercarriage
The Great Dane Model 60 Landing Gear uses a constant mesh gear box which keeps gears engaged for consistently smooth shifting. The landing gear construction features a floating nut design which protects the elevating screw from damage caused by dock walk. Supported by angle bracing at the front and rear, the GD Model 60 has a lift capacity of 55,000 lbs. The mount spreads the load over five crossmembers. Steel gussets ensure extra support, stability, and strength. Completing the design, Great Dane's proprietary replaceable shockmounted sand shoes reduce stresses in the mount by 50 percent. Componentry is bolted in place for ease of repair. Standard 4" steel I-beam crossmembers are 80,000 psi and 3.25 lb/ft. Installed on 12" centers full length, this design provides unparalleled floor strength. The Champion CL comes standard with a sliding spring suspension on 49" axle centers with a 200" slide rail length. Various air-ride suspensions are available as an option. An additional standard feature, the 6-Year Stemco Platinum Performance Plus Wheel End System includes Guardian HP oil seals, PRO-TORQ spindle nuts, and integrated Sentinel hub caps. The entire system is warranted for 5 years for parts and labor and includes an additional year of coverage on parts, which can be extended to 9 years with required maintenance. To help prevent moisture intrusion into the cargo area, the floor is pre-undercoated on the bottom and sides and caulked at the joints. Crossmembers are pre-coated with wax, including the end clips, as a corrosion preventative. Pre-coating allows for full coverage of both the floor and crossmembers. Standard black Dry Flex undercoating is the first line of defense against corrosion from road abrasion. Great Dane's exclusive CorroGuard is an available option for corrosion protection on landing gear and suspensions.
Roof Construction
The Great Dane Champion CL's standard roof adds durability and longevity to the roof system. Galvanized steel, anti-snag roof bows on 24" centers are permanently bonded with a premium two-part epoxy to a one-piece .040" aluminum or .075" fiberglass roof sheet. The tension-mounted roof sheet is joined to the top rail with an extruded aluminum J-molding. The attachment is closely riveted, bonding a foam sealing tape between the roof sheet and top rail, and is finished with a neoprene sealant to prevent moisture intrusion.
Side Door Features
Great Dane's unique side door design delivers unparalleled performance. With the low-profile blade lock design there are no protruding hinges or lock rods, so side doors are protected from damage. Unlike outer lockrods that only provide 2 or 3 points of positive contact, the blade lock design exerts constant pressure along the full height of the door's dual compression seals to ensure prevention of air loss. Hinges are recessed, yet ensure a full 180 degrees of door opening. Door frames are made of high-yield aluminum alloy extrusions that incorporate the recessed hinges and lock jams. Aluminum extrusions ensure straightness and the entire construction uses stainless steel fasteners. Steel framing is usually fabricated and welded which causes warping, and steel welded frames do not have the sealing potential of fastened aluminum frames. All side doors located in high-stress areas contain partial or full shrouding. Side doors are engineered for functionality and durability to prevent corner cracking and misalignment over the service life. All shrouds are internally located within the door frame construction. Doors are reinforced along the exterior of the bottom rail at the corners with stainless or aluminum reinforcement. The length of the bottom rail is further supported with stainless or aluminum reinforcing that extends a minimum of 24" fore and aft of the door openings.
Exterior Rear Features
Rear Frame Construction
The all-new EnduroGuard rear frame combines superior strength with corrosion resistance for lasting appearance and design. Standard color is gray with white as an available option. The Champion CL rear frame construction is the strongest in the industry. The comb-style rear frame is formed of high-strength stainless steel and has corner posts that run full-height for superior stiffness and rack resistance. This design also offers durable hinge and hardware protection. The rear header-to-top rail connection is reinforced at the corners by 0.31-inch steel gussets, which minimize racking and ensure that the frame remains square throughout the life of the trailer. Using a 0.5-inch wedge design, the Champion CL maintains a full 110-inch inside rear frame opening height. A 2-inch header with an integral drip molding reduces moisture from runoff in the loading area. The rear frame is further strengthened by a two-crossmember deep attachment to the bottom rail, which helps distribute the stresses of dock impact. Lower side marker lights and ABS lights are recessed below the bottom rail for added protection. The standard 15-inch smooth steel threshold plate provides additional protection at the entrance of the trailer from forklift and cargo impact. The buckplate is a formed tube with a continuously welded 0.38-inch sill bottom plate. The sill plate along with 0.5-inch thick stainless steel eyebrows, vertically braced with 0.31-inch thick stainless steel bars between the lights, provide rear impact and hinge protection. A steel light protector box fully encases the backside of lights, protecting wiring and receptacles from road debris as well as ice buildup. The rear sill lights have a separate harness secured within the protector box for protection and ease of replacement. Rubber dock bumpers are standard for impact support and door hardware protection.
Rear Impact Guard
The high-strength tubular steel rear impact guard is designed and tested to conform to all U.S. and Canadian regulations. An integral part of the rear frame, the impact guard is secured by eight ¾" diameter grade 8 bolts. The vertical channels are braced by 5/16" thick high tensile steel reinforcement gussets to the slider rail. The horizontal tube has a vertical concave surface that creates a recessed area to protect conspicuity tape from abrasion. It also features a perforated top surface for traction and capped ends that extend above the tube for added safety. Available options for rear impact guards include stainless steel and galvanized steel, and may be welded in place or bolted on for ease of repair.
Door Construction
A standard feature, 0.5-inch composite swing-type rear doors have galvanized steel exterior and interior skins with a resilient polymer core, which eliminates corrosion issues associated with moisture absorption in plywood cores. Composite roll-up rear doors are available as an option. Door hardware includes a 6-inch x 6-inch anti-theft plate, three lock rod guides per lock rod, as well as top and bottom lock rod keepers for support and ease of door operation.
Hinges
Great Dane's heavy-duty, extruded aluminum hinge design allows the doors to open fully to the sides and to "break away" in the event of severe impact. Five hinges per door are standard. Hinges are fastened to the doors by three 3/8-inch diameter steel step bolts, making hinge replacement effortless. The use of phenolic bushings ensures long-term smooth operation. Designed for cargo security, top and bottom hinges are installed with camtainer fasteners for anti-theft protection. Additionally, the comb-type frame prevents the removal of doors even if the hinge pins are removed.
Access Systems
An optional swing door access system includes a fixed step on the curbside, roadside, or both, or an intermediate step centered and a surface-mounted grabhandle between the hinges on the roadside. Optional roll-up rear door access systems include a fixed step on the curbside, roadside, or both, and either a surface-mounted or recessed grabhandle.
Electrical
The Champion CL's exterior lighting package comes standard with Grote's MicroNova® DOT LED lamps, designed to improve visibility and service life of the lights. The system also features dual intensity clearance lights, with an available option for five clearance lights with outer turn signal. The industry's best wiring harness, the Long-Life Light System is a maintenance-free, fully modular system backed by a 10-year warranty. This sealed harness prevents moisture intrusion, is extremely durable, and combines the flexibility of a custom wiring system with the reliability and simplicity of a sealed harness.
Interior Features
Interior Construction
The Champion CL's interior sidewalls are lined with 0.25" exterior grade hardwood plywood, installed horizontally with drill screws for a snag-free lining. A retainer between the horizontal pieces further protects cargo from snagging and allows expansion of the plywood. Designed to maximize interior space, the 6" front corner radius provides square interior corners to improve utilization and prevent cargo damage. The top rail design creates a square corner in the upper sidewall without protruding into the cargo area, allowing for a full 110" height throughout the interior of the trailer.
Lining Options
Various interior linings options are available including plywood in .25", .37", and .50" thicknesses, SSL lining, and PunctureGuard in .070" and .100" panels.
Lining Protection
A 12" high corrugated, galvanized, roll-formed steel scuffband is installed as one-piece extending the full length to the front wall. Additional heights are available for added protection. Five .25" round head screws secure the scuffband to the sidewall at the front and the rear, and three screws are used at every upright. Because the side lining extends over the top lip of the scuffband, repairs to either can be made with ease. Additional methods of protection for interior walls vary in types and materials, as well as heights.
Interior Lighting
Standard interior lighting options include LED dome and spot lamps for improved visibility. Installation options include ceiling and cove placement. All interior lamps have return ground wiring routed through a PVC conduit for reduced maintenance and ease of repair. Interior lighting functions are streamlined using Great Dane's unique nose-mounted timer switch, which combines functionalities to eliminate the need for a separate pressure switch. When the trailer is in motion, the interior lights are off to allow full power to the ABS system, and lights are turned off electrically from the tractor's stop lamp circuit upon the first brake application, rather than by air pressure when the parking brake is released.
Floor Strength
The Champion CL standard floor is a 1.38" laminated hardwood and is pre-undercoated on the bottom and sides for moisture protection. The floor is installed with two 5/16" screws per board in an alternating pattern for increased strength. Air and electrical lines are routed through the crossmembers, providing easy access and protection.
Semi-Insulated Construction
The Champion CL offers a semi-insulated design that combines the traditional sheet and post construction of a van with the press-panel technology of a reefer. This innovative design creates a modular wall without the need to spray and shave urethane insulation prior to trailer completion, which can cause an opening in the cell structure and weaken the insulation integrity. The design incorporates modular insulated side and roof panels onto a standard van floor, which can also be insulated using block foam upon request. Radius corners are insulated to the front corner post, and post cavities that are created as a result of the hat-shaped geometry are insulated to resist heat transfer. Post centers are available in the standard 12" /24" spacing. Optional insulated floors with up to 1" insulation thickness include a 4.25" upper coupler and hardwood flooring. This insulation replaces the aditional option for spray foam between crossmembers. Offering an advantage over other semi-insulated vans, the CL's standard lining is PunctureGuard. Great Dane's exclusive lightweight, puncture resistant, glass-reinforced thermoplastic interior lining provides a flat, smooth, bright interior that significantly reduces maintenance time and costs.
Roll-up Rear Doors
A sturdy roll-up rear door frame, strongly reinforced, is available for operations that require loading in a limited space, providing efficiency and added security.
Flooring Options
Several flooring options are available including laminated hardwoods in various thicknesses, composite floors, and aluminum dry cargo floors.
Liftgate Prep
Lift gate installation preparation is available, including rail-lift and tuck-away options.
Pintle Hooks
Pintle hooks and pintle hook accessories are available for larger combination vehicles.
Interior Lighting
For increased visibility needs, L.E.D. dome and spotlights are available.
Cargo Restraint Options
Various cargo restraint options are available, including overlaid and recessed type-A and type-F horizontal track. Optional sidewall 'D' rings and floor bull rings are also available.
Logistic-style Uprights
A-punched logistic posts on 4" vertical centers are optional.
Entry and Egress
Various types of steps, ramps and platforms are available.
Specialty Configurations
Deep-Drop Furniture Vans
Great Dane furniture vans offer the most cubic capacity for hauling needs. Standard designs offer variable drop depths of up to 30" with a variety of tire and leaf-spring or air-spring suspension options. Variable drop locations are available for different tractors. Double-deck logistic posts and/or cargo tracks provide optimal cargo restraint and placement. Multiple side door locations and widths are available.
Shallow-Drop Electronic Vans
Great Dane electronic vans are designed to meet specific high-cube hauling needs. With features and options especially designed for high-capacity applications, electronic vans offer 2" increment drop depths up to 16" and have variable drop location options. The interior deck behind the drop is flat allowing for easy loading. Smaller tires are used to achieve the larger amount of drop. Multiple side door locations and widths are available.
FRP Vans
Great Dane's FRP vans are designed to provide many years of profitable and trouble-free service. FRP trailers are built with fiberglass reinforced plywood side panels and do not require vertical side posts. Featuring smooth, seamless interior and exterior panels, FRP's are easy to repair. With inside widths of 100", the FRP is available as a straight frame or a shallow-drop frame.
Package Options
PunctureGuard Lining
Designed to protect a trailer's interior walls from everyday abuses, Great Dane's exclusive Puncture-Guard scuffbands and wall liners are incredibly thin, yet extremely puncture-resistant. PunctureGuard provides the extra protection that will extend the life of your trailer, load after load, year after year.
US EPA Certified
Customers committed to measuring and improving the efficiency of their freight operations can adopt a range of trailer systems and components that can help to significantly lower emissions and reduce fuel consumption using aerodynamic technologies approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's SmartWay Transport Partnership.
Total Protection Package
In addition to already standard features such as the Grote's® MicroNova® DOT lamps and completely sealed, moisture-proof Long Life Light Sytem, Great Dane's complete package of comprehensive corrosion prevention solutions includes options to enhance a trailer's image by delivering superior protection against equipment deterioration.
The Total Protection Package includes:
CorroGuard®
Great Dane's exclusive spray-in-place thermoplastic coating on suspensions and support gear for superior long-term protection from rock and stone impingement, and chemical resistance to current de-icing chemicals and road hazards.
AluminumWheels
Including a patented treatment, which penetrates the aluminum and becomes an integral part of the wheel, resisting corrosion.
Stainless Steel Rear Frames
Rust resistant to help ensure reduced maintenance, longer life and a superior appearance.
Deep-Drop Furniture Vans
Great Dane furniture vans offer the most cubic capacity for hauling needs. Standard designs offer variable drop depths of up to 30" with a variety of tire and leaf-spring or air-spring suspension options. Variable drop locations are available for different tractors. Double-deck logistic posts and/or cargo tracks provide optimal cargo restraint and placement. Multiple side door locations and widths are available.
Shallow-Drop Electronic Vans
Great Dane electronic vans are designed to meet specific high-cube hauling needs. With features and options especially designed for high-capacity applications, electronic vans offer 2" increment drop depths up to 16" and have variable drop location options. The interior deck behind the drop is flat allowing for easy loading. Smaller tires are used to achieve the larger amount of drop. Multiple side door locations and widths are available.
FRP Vans
Great Dane's FRP vans are designed to provide many years of profitable and trouble-free service. FRP trailers are built with fiberglass reinforced plywood side panels and do not require vertical side posts. Featuring smooth, seamless interior and exterior panels, FRP's are easy to repair. With inside widths of 100", the FRP is available as a straight frame or a shallow-drop frame.
