Safety isn’t just something we prioritize—it’s the foundation of everything we do. For 125 years, Great Dane has evolved from its beginnings as the Savannah Blowpipe Company into a trailblazer in the transportation industry. Starting with fabricating steel products, building trailers to move steel, and eventually becoming one of the world’s largest and most innovative trailer manufacturers, we’ve always designed our products with safety in mind.
Our history shows our commitment to safety and innovation, from manufacturing reinforced trailers during WWII to pioneering refrigerated trailers (reefers) in the 1940s that redefined cold chain logistics; we’ve continuously led the charge in developing solutions that help fleets work more safely and efficiently.
For a safety-first culture to develop to a point where the Great Dane culture is today takes a tremendous amount of hard work and commitment. However, the safety journey that we have been on sees us today considering those efforts as the norm, as the safety-first mentality we possess is woven into our company DNA, which is why everything we do starts with “Thinking Safety First.”
— Dave Ritchie, Sr. Director Environmental Health & Safety, Corporate Safety, Great Dane
Unique Safety Features Built into Every Trailer
Our engineers have designed industry-leading innovations, helping your fleet work more safely and efficiently.
RIG30 Rear Impact Guard: Advanced Underride Protection
Award-Winning Protection: Recognized by the IIHS TOUGHGUARD award, our RIG30 was designed by our engineers to help prevent deadly underride crashes.
Engineered for Strength: Reinforced horizontal members and secure attachments exceed both U.S. and Canadian trailer rear impact safety standards.
Easy Maintenance: The traditional bolt-on design provides advantages in terms of repairability.
Standard on all Everest Reefers, Champion Dry Vans, and Freedom Flatbeds.
See Great Dane’s RIG30 in Action | Watch Now
LED Trailer Lighting Solutions for Enhanced Visibility & Safety
Brighter Interior Visibility: LED strip lights provide 74% more brightness and even distribution for safer loading and unloading.
Rear and Side Door Perimeter Lighting: LED lights above the trailer door enhance visibility outside the trailer, ensuring safer nighttime loading and unloading.
Reliable Performance & Long-Term Assurance: PC-rated LED lights offer 180-degree visibility, sealed modular wiring prevents corrosion, and a 10-year warranty reduces maintenance costs.
Lighting packages vary by product.
Discover the Power of LED Lighting | Read More
FleetPulse Telematics: Smart Trailer Tracking & Security
FleetPulseGO Track: Built into every trailer for asset tracking, delivering visibility right from the production line.
Long-Lasting & Maintenance-Free: No hardwiring is needed; it withstands extreme temperatures and lasts up to seven years.
Boosted Security: GPS tracking and geofencing help prevent theft and unauthorized use.
Standard on all Everest Reefers, Champion Dry Vans, and Freedom Flatbeds.
Keep Your Fleet on Track | Visit FleetPulse.com
Hot-Dipped Galvanized (HDGV) Components for Maximum Durability
Corrosion Protection: HDGV creates a strong barrier that prevents steel from rusting, even in harsh conditions—and more HDGV parts now come standard.
Structural Integrity: Maintains strength and reliability for safer operations.
More parts now standard on all Everest Reefers, Champion Dry Vans, and Freedom Flatbeds including rear impact guards, support gear mounting plates, and bracing.
Spec Your Fleet for Longevity | Read More
SLIPNOT Safety Grip Solution for Safer Trailer Floors
Enhanced Durability: SLIPNOT’s safety grip solution lasts significantly longer than traditional anti-slip solutions and is backed by a 15-year warranty.
Streamlined Maintenance: Reduces the need for frequent safety-grip tape replacement, saving fleets time and operational costs.
Driver Safety: Reduces slips and falls in refrigerated trailers, ensuring safer working conditions.
Standard on all Everest Reefers with roll-up and side doors.
Learn More About SLIPNOT | Read More
Heavy-Duty Reefer Cargo Safety-Grip Flooring for Maximum Load Stability
Industry-Leading Strength: One of the highest forklift-rated floors in the industry, with a 20,000-pound rating for heavy loads.
Increased Driver Safety: The positive traction surface reduces the risk of slips and falls during loading and unloading.
Cargo Stability: Helps minimize cargo movement, making it a popular choice for grocery and foodservice applications.
Available as an option for Everest Reefers.
Microban® Antimicrobial Protection for Food Safety & Hygiene
Built-in Surface Protection: Our panels are infused Microban® technology that fights 99.9% of bacteria, mold, and mildew growth, reducing cross-contamination risks.
Continuous Defense: Works 24/7 to minimize harmful microbes on surfaces between cleanings.
Compliance with Food Safety Regulations: Supports FSMA and sanitary transport requirements, ensuring food safety.
Standard on all Everest Reefers.
Explore the Benefits of Microban® | Read More
Building a Safety Culture
At Great Dane, safety starts with our teams and extends to our customers.
- Think Safety First Initiative | Great Dane’s commitment to safety has been central since the start, when we first designed trailers to meet the needs of a growing trucking industry. Today, initiatives like ‘Think Safety First’ reflect our ongoing dedication to protecting the people who build and operate our trailers. ‘Think Safety First’ is a company-wide initiative that promotes safe work behaviors and raises awareness about the impact of injuries on our team members and their loved ones.
- Awards and Recognitions | From earning the Army-Navy ‘E’ award for excellence during WWII to receiving today’s TTMA Safety Awards, Great Dane’s dedication to safety excellence has been recognized across generations.
Practical Tips to Enhance Your Fleet’s Safety
- Leverage Technology: Equip your fleet with advanced solutions like LED lighting, telematics, and corrosion-resistant components to improve safety and efficiency.
- Implement Proactive Maintenance Programs: Regularly scheduled maintenance ensures critical safety features—such as brakes, lighting, and impact guards—perform optimally. Use telematics data to anticipate and address potential issues before they arise.
- Foster a Safety-First Culture: Encourage open communication about safety practices and empower your team with resources like hands-on demonstrations of new safety technologies and workshops to address operational challenges.
- Use Data-Driven Insights: Leverage telematics to monitor fleet performance, identify patterns that may lead to accidents, and adjust operations accordingly. For example, track braking habits, speed, and maintenance needs to create a safer, more efficient fleet.
125 Years of Safety-Driven Excellence
As we celebrate 125 years in business, we reflect on a history of innovation, resilience, and commitment to safety. From our early days fabricating steel products to designing state-of-the-art trailers that redefine industry standards, we’ve upheld our promise of protecting drivers, cargo, and fleets. Our journey is one of growth, transformation, and leadership—together, let’s continue to make every mile safer.
Commemorating 125 years of Tried and True | Read Here
Together, let’s make every mile safer.
Explore our safety solutions and learn more about how Great Dane has redefined safety for over a century.
