Ponderosa Trailers of New Mexico

FRAME-Heavy gauge steel is much stronger than aluminum and can absorb flex, which aluminum can not. Frames are welded upside down for better weld penetration and strength. Running boards: run the length of the trailer, reinforce the frame with additional angle iron and add frame support for side braces. Arc welded for better penetration and durability. Each trailer is built by a team of builders familiar with that type of trailer. Builders weld their initials on each trailer frame. Longwise floor strips support floor every 12" are welded to each cross member. Sides are crimped in stock area for strength. Side braces in stock areas from running boards to uprights stiffen the entire trailer. Drip rail on roof allows water to run back and away from trailer. Angle iron uprights in stock area: stronger than thin sheet metal tubing, angle iron doesn't have a bare hollow interior like tubing that rusts from the inside out and busts when water gets inside, requires fewer uprights than tubing thereby reducing unnecessary weight and the uprights thick steel allows a more solid weld for trailer sides, braces, top rails, gates, etc.

FLOORING-Pressure treated for longevity. Tongue and groove for extra strength. Kiln dried for less warpage. Run side to side for strength, making a 6 foot board stronger than a 16 foot board. Side to side floors are supported by the lengthwise floor strips as opposed to numerous cross members. This adds greater floor strength and less trailer weight. Floors are easier to replace. No screws to break, strip out or stick up.

AXLES-Rubber torsion axles- independent suspension. Less fatigue on trailer and cargo. Main axle beams welded solid to the frame makes the frame stronger. E-Z lube hubs make greasing inner and outer bearings easy. Increases tire life. Can usually be towed for repair if a bearing/tire failure occurs. With spring axles, the trailer is down on the spot until repaired because the axle will drag the ground. No springs, shackles or hangers means fewer parts to wear out. 5 year warranty. Less trailer sway and hop. Proper axle placement ensures a smooth ride, less weight on the vehicle and proper cargo weight distribution.

COUPLERS AND LANDING GEAR-We use top quality couplers that assure definite and easy latching and durability. We use Bulldog landing gear for ease of lifting and lowering.

QUALITY CONTROL-Each unit is inspected during and after construction by the welding supervisor, who has years of experience building trailers. The supervisor works directly with the company owners.

WASHING-All units are hot pressure washed with a highly concentrated detergent. This removes all oils from the steel.

METAL PREP-Welds are grinded and chipped for slag. The trailers are sanded to rough up the steel. Then the whole trailer is solvent washed and force air dried to remove all contaminants and residue.

PRIME-Trailers then go into a separate priming booth. Acrylic primer is electrostatically applied. A small amount of paint is added to the mixture to tint the primer, ensuring adequate coverage and smoother texture.

PAINT-The trailer then goes into a separate painting booth. Two painters, using electrostatic/air assist equipment, apply base and top coats of acrylic enamel. Electrostatic paint systems allow the trailer to draw the paint from the gun, with minimal overspray. The final coat/gloss coat is the final step over this two mil thick paint job. Our Valspar acrylic paint has excellent tested adhesion, fade resistance as well as salt spray resistance. Harder paints used by some competitors may be too hard, therefore breaking easily due to metal flex, or be to soft, therefore fading prematurely or rusting from underneath due to small pores in the coating. Valspar has formulated our paint to reduce dry time, therefore eliminating the need for a baking oven which often makes paint jobs too brittle. We also test panels with the same trailer steel, through the same manufacturing process and with the same paint so that we know how our trailers finish is doing over time. We have collected and displayed these in the outdoor elements since 1988.

TRAILER FINISHING-From the "chrome room", each trailer receives the final touches and any special ordered equipment. Tires, chrome, windows, heat/air units, awnings, mats, pads, etc. are all installed according to the order. The trailer is also pinstriped, wired and tested. The finish supervisor constantly rotates to each of these departments making sure the job is being done right.

QUALITY CONTROL-After the trailer exits the finishing department it is inspected from inside to out and top to bottom for quality, equipment ordered, welding and painting. His/her signature is placed on the finished work order only after all items have met our highest standards.