In 1844 North America’s first utility poles were erected to carry Samuel Morse’s proposed telegraph line from Baltimore to Washington DC. From that day forward, utility poles have played an integral part in bringing electricity and connectivity to the world. With an estimated 185 Million poles currently in service across the continent and 2.5 Million being replaced annually, good utility line technicians are in short supply. To offset the high demand for their time, utility companies are always looking for ways to operate with more efficiency and with higher equipment reliability.

In 1844 North America’s first utility poles were erected to carry Samuel Morse’s proposed telegraph line from Baltimore to Washington DC. From that day forward, utility poles have played an integral part in bringing electricity and connectivity to the world. With an estimated 185 Million poles currently in service across the continent and 2.5 Million being replaced annually, good utility line technicians are in short supply. To offset the high demand for their time, utility companies are always looking for ways to operate with more efficiency and with higher equipment reliability. 

One area where ingenuity and design improvements can have tremendous impact is with the utility pole trailers. The heavy workloads and harsh environments these trailers are subjected to requires very specific design considerations. Those considerations were the driving force in the development of the MPT-40 (Multi-Purpose Pole Trailer) from TUF Solutions & Manufacturing. Some of the improvements realized from the previous model were: Increased carrying capacity, improved durability, the inclusion of a cargo bed for gravel, and corrosion resistance thanks to the trailer being offered with a galvanized finish. 

TUF Solutions & Manufacturing’s utility customers very quickly made the galvanized finish a standard thanks to both the convenience and the reduction in total maintenance spend they were able to see by keeping the trailers on the road and out of the paint and repair shops. The Hot-dip galvanized trailers resist corrosion by providing barrier and cathodic protection, as well as through the development of the zinc patina. With more of the older paint and powder coat models retiring from service every year the new galvanized MPT-40 models are expected to become more and more prevalent in the market.