FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN INVESTING IN A RENTAL TRAILER

As a rental company responsible for maintaining units, durability and reliability are the most important factors.

Renters tend to rely on two specific types of trailers: dump and utility trailers.

By Chris Pokornowski

SPECIAL TO CEG

Across the country, contracting professionals rely on renting trucks, trailers and equipment to complete jobs that are outside their normal scope of work, are large in scope, have unique requests or require specialized equipment.

Rental companies are responsible for finding and maintaining a large variety of trailers, trucks and other equipment that help their customers work their projects with ease. The experts at Towmaster Trailers put together a guide for rental companies on how to help you identify the best trailers to invest that offer long term ROI and durability, despite rigorous use.

Rental Trailers Experience High Impact Work

Not all people who rent trailers, trucks or other equipment take care of it as they would their own. That means over time rented resources go through a lot of heavy use without necessarily the same concern or care as an owned trailer or piece of equipment.

As a rental company responsible for maintaining units, durability and reliability are the most important factors. Particularly when trailers have to last through a variety of rigorous tasks without compromising dependability.

Ensure Your Rental Trailer Is Up To Task

Renters tend to rely on two specific types of trailers: dump and utility trailers.

Dump trailers are excellent for general contracting and landscaping projects because they can move volumes of bricks, dirt, mulch, debris and even small equipment when needed. The additional benefit is the ability to dump the load when feasible rather than manually unloading it.

A utility trailer is another great option for most contracting projects. Utility trailers can be used to haul lawn care or power equipment, haul supplies like pavers and bricks, and move construction or landscaping debris, or other materials.

There are several considerations to make when investing in a rental trailer. You have to ensure it’s a sound investment for your company and will lead to long term ROI. That likely means investing in carefully crafted trailers made of durable materials.

Another consideration to make is how to support your customers, the renters, in reaching their own goals and successfully accomplishing their projects.

Here are some features to look for when when making those considerations on your rental trailer investments: • High gauge steel floor • Minimal amount of seams in the trailer bed • Smart charging system that indicates how much life is left in the battery • Dump trailer ramps for easy maneuvering and access • Safety feature module that confirms the circuit is reaching the trailer brakes • Hand held remote for dumping to ease operation and keep users safe • Scissor hoist system to provide durability during dumping • Rolling tarp • Electric or Hydraulic surge free-backing brakes that allow for reversing without the trailer locking • LED lights for visibility • Protected wiring systems • High quality paint finish • A manufacturer that stands behind their product and service

Partners Vs. Vendors

Rental businesses have a unique position in the market and for long-term ROI on equipment, it’s best to foster a long-term relationship with a trusted partner. A simple one-time interaction with a vendor may get rental agencies through in a bind, but modern rental companies need to invest time and communication in strategic relationships with vendors.

Make sure when you’re investing in a new trailer or work truck for your rental company, that the manufacturer is willing to invest their time in you and your success.

What’s Your Warranty

Rented trailers go through dozens of different users a year, so a clear and comprehensive warranty becomes all the more important. When investing in a new trailer for your rental company, compare warranties to ensure you’re well covered to avoid costly repairs and work orders.

Building the Best

Towmaster Trailers has partnered with rental companies across the country to provide resilient, versatile trailers that offer long term ROI, even through rigorous rental usage.

If you want to know more about how to make equipment investments that will last for years, reach out to the Towmaster Trailers team today.

Chris Pokornowski is the director of sales at Towmaster Trailer Division and has served in various sales and leadership positions since 1995. He is responsible for developing impactful sales strategies, keeping atop industry trends and insights, and leading the training and development of the sales team. 

INFRASTRUCTURE from page 42 for water systems and $380 million for other segments such as airports, broadband and electric vehicle charging stations.

Specifically, the state will see $53 million for Lake Pontchartrain local restoration efforts; $53 million for Gulf of Mexico ecosystem restoration; and $60 million as part of the Mississippi River and Ohio River Basins’ Nutrient Reduction Strategies. Louisiana also will receive at least $371 million for clean water and $150 million for the Delta Regional Authority, to improve economic and community growth.

Maine

Maine expects nearly $2.4 billion in direct funding for infrastructure, according to White House figures. Approximately $1.3 billion is earmarked for highway maintenance and construction; $225 million for bridge repair and replacement; $74 million for the state’s airport infrastructure; and $390 million dedicated to water infrastructure.

Maryland

Maryland’s portion of the IIJA includes $4.1 billion for highway aid and $409 million for bridge replacement and repairs. An estimated $1.7 billion is allotted for public transit systems; $844 million for water infrastructure; and $238 million for the health and restoration of the Chesapeake Bay.

In addition, $158 million is earmarked for Maryland airports; $63 million for electric vehicle charging stations; and $15.9 million to prevent cyberattacks.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts is set to receive $9.08 billion in IIJA funds. At least $4.2 billion is set aside for road improvements; $1.1 billion for bridge replacements and repairs; and $1.1 billion to improve water infrastructure.

The program will set aside $2.5 billion to modernize public transportation systems; $63 million to expand EV charging networks; $15.7 million to prevent cyberattacks, and $5.8 million to protect against wildfires.

Michigan

Roads and bridges in Michigan will see more than $1.5 billion; water infrastructure, $1.3 billion; and EV charging, $110 million. The IIJA plan allots $1 billion for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, an existing program that has historically been used to address pollution from industry and farms. Michigan also is slated to receive $1 billion to improve rail lines and buses.

Minnesota

Minnesota Public Radio reports that $4.5 billion is set aside for Minnesota highways; $302 million for bridge replacement and repairs; and $818 million for public transportation. In addition, $68 million is earmarked for EV charging stations. State officials want funding for the Twin Ports interchange project in Duluth, delayed because of unexpected costs. St. Paul’s wish list includes $26 million for the eastbound Kellogg Boulevard Bridge, according to the Star Tribune newspaper.

Minnesota also will receive $68 million for an EV charging network; $20 million for wildfire protection; and $17 million for cyber protection.

Newer programs drawing infrastructure funds include cybersecurity efforts and electric-vehicle charging station networks.

Mississippi

Mississippi will receive $3.3 billion in IIJA funds for federal-aid highway apportioned programs and $225 million for bridge replacement and repairs. Mississippi Today notes that water infrastructure in the state will see $429 million while public transportation sees $223 million, and airports receive $99 million for maintenance and upgrades at existing airports.

Some $51 million is dedicated to EV charging stations; $19 million for wildfire protection; and $16 million for cybersecurity.

Missouri

The IIJA plan allots $6.5 billion for Missouri’s road needs, and $484 million over five years for bridge replacement and repairs. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver announced that $866 million will be dedicated for water infrastructure; $674 million for public transit; $246 million to improve airports and river ports; and $99 million to build a network of electric vehicle chargers.

New Hampshire

The New Hampshire Business Review notes that the IIJA will designate $1.1 billion to repair state highways, and another $225 million for bridge repair and replacement. About $125 million would go toward improving public transportation and $17 million to build out an EV charging station network.

Approximately $5.6 million is set aside for wildfire protection, and $12.4 million will help boost cybersecurity. New Hampshire would receive $418 million for water infrastructure, and $45.6 million for airport infrastructure development.

Montana

In addition to $2.82 billion for highways and $225 million for bridge repair and replacement, Montana will receive $114 million for airports, 3.37 billion for wildfire mitigation efforts and $15 million to study Amtrak passenger rail travel.

The Flathead Beacon lists state-specific funds, including $40 million for water projects for the Blackfeet Tribe and $1.73 billion specifically to the National Park Service to repair roads and bridges in parks like Glacier National Park and Yellowstone, which continue to face maintenance backlogs. Also, $350 million is set aside to create a wildlife crossings pilot program to improve habitat connectivity.

Nebraska

Nebraska will receive about $2.5 billion for highways and $216 million for two programs that provide low-interest loans for building or improving water and wastewater systems. The IIJA also will allot $15 billion for Nebraska’s airports.

Nevada

More than $4 billion is designated for Nevada’s highways, transit, broadband, airports and drought mitigation. The allotment includes $2.5 billion to build and repair highways and $225 million for bridge replacement and repairs. Transit will see $459 million while the state’s airports will receive about $293 million for infrastructure development.

According to the Nevada Independent, $38 million will go to expand the state’s EV charging network; $403 million to improve water infrastructure and ensure access to clean, safe drinking water; $8.3 billion for Western water infrastructure and drought resilience; and $8 billion for wildfire prevention.

New Jersey

Sens. Cory Booker and Robert Menendez announced that New Jersey will see at least $13.5 billion under the infrastructure bill. That includes $272 million for airports; $1.1 billion for bridge repairs; $15 million to protect against wildfires; and $17 million for cybersecurity

New Jersey also will receive $104 million for EV charging stations; $6.8 billion for highways; $1 billion for water infrastructure; $4.1 billion for public transportation; $1 billion to reconnect communities with projects such as I-280 through Orange; and $5.5 billion in credits for using toll revenues to maintain the state’s interstate highways.

New Mexico

New Mexico will receive $3.7 billion in federal infrastructure funding through the IIJA plan, including $2.5 billion for federal-aid highway programs and $225 million for bridge replacement and repairs.

Approximately $355 million will be designated for water infrastructure, including drilling the wells, burying pipes and building a clean water infrastructure all across the state, announced Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez. These efforts she said, would be most critical in the Clovis-Portales areas specifically.

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“BUILDIN NG FOR THE ” FUTURE.

THREE G TIONS. T GENERA

“At Selge Constr ruction, we’re a family business. My son-in-law and even grandson are involved and ss. My son-in-law and even grandson are involved and andson are involved and interested in this s great occupation. I’ve built a good name in our marketplace with a reputation for quality good name in our marketplace with a reputation for quality e with a reputation for quality work and integrity in the way we do business. And I choose Komatsu because they match my values. ty in the way we do business. And I choose Komatsu because they match my values. And I choose Komatsu because they match my values. se they match my values. Their excavators s help my crews and family carry on our goals: to provide the best job for an honest price. rry on our goals: to provide the best job for an honest price. e best job for an honest price. s these and ma It’ any other reasons why Komatsu works for us!” su works for us!”

Marv Selge (with Noah & Justin) / Selge Construction, Inc. / Niles, MI with Noah & Justin) / Selge C onstruction, Inc. / Niles, MI

t’s why t Tha u tsu t y I am Komats why

INFRASTRUCTURE from page 74 New York

A list of the biggest New York-related items in the IIJA plan includes $10.7 billion for Metropolitan Transit Authority construction projects and $8 billion in grants for projects such as the Second Avenue subway and Gateway tunnels.

The New York Daily News reports that $30 billion is earmarked for Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor from Boston to Washington, D.C., $150 million for upgrades at LaGuardia Airport and $296 million for Kennedy Airport. The state also will see $142 million for EV infrastructure and $1.9 billion for passenger vehicle bridge repair work.

North Carolina

According to the White House, North Carolina will receive $7.2 billion for highway projects; $457 million for bridge replacement and repairs; $109 million for EV charging stations; $910 million for public transportation; and $440 million for clean water.

North Carolina also will be eligible for a share of Army Corps of Engineers funding for storm damage protection, FEMA flood mitigation, and federal airport improvement projects.

North Dakota

North Dakota can expect to receive $21 million over five years to protect against wildfires and $11 million against cyberattacks, according to the Minot Daily News.

The state also will receive $355 million to improve water infrastructure; $2 billion for North Dakota’s roads, bridges and highways; $225 million is set aside for North Dakota to improve and upgrade bridge infrastructure; and $66 billion for passenger and freight rail.

Ohio

Ohio is set to receive $9.2 billion for federal-aid highway apportioned programs and $483 million to repair and replace bridges. The bill also creates multiple funding mechanisms for projects such as the $2.5 billion replacement of the Brent Spence Bridge between Cincinnati and northern Kentucky.

Ohio also will see $1.2 billion for public transportation and $1.4 billion for water infrastructure projects, reports the Columbus Dispatch. Of the $1.25 billion set aside for the Appalachian Development Highway System, approximately $95 million would go to Ohio.

Oklahoma

Approximately $4.3 billion is designated in the infrastructure bill for Oklahoma highway repairs and construction. The White House announced another $266 million is set aside for bridge replacement and repairs.

In addition, $354 million is earmarked for public transportation; $66 million allotted to expand the state’s EV charging network; and $100 million is set aside for rural broadband improvements.

Oregon

Oregon will receive more than $5 billion from President Biden’s infrastructure bill, most of it for roads. The state transportation department expects approximately $1.2 billion of initial money, and the rest slotted for counties, cities and metropolitan planning organizations.

The Statesman Journal reports that the city of Salem will receive $34 million for roads and Eugene, $35 million. Salem is slated to receive $33 million, and Eugene $67 million, for public transportation. In addition to the highway funds, $268 million is set aside for bridge repairs and replacement,

The IIJA designates $52 million for EV station expansion; $39 million for wildfire prevention; $15 million to protect against cyberattacks; $529 million for water infrastructure and $211 million airport infrastructure.

Amtrak’s $66 billion designation to improve service could impact the stretch from Eugene and Salem north into Washington and Canada. The Statesman Journal notes the Oregon Transportation Commission will receive a briefing about the additional funds and will decide by March 2022, how to spend about a third of the $1.2 billion it expects to receive.

The infrastructure at both national and state airports is a big part of President Biden’s investment and jobs plan.

Pennsylvania

Sen. Bob Casey announced that Pennsylvania will receive $11.3 billion for federal-aid highway programs and $1.6 billion for bridge replacement and repairs. State transportation officials are considering replacement of the I-83 bridge in Harrisburg five-lane structure and rehabilitation of the 92year-old Veterans Memorial Bridge over the Susquehanna River at a cost of nearly $59.8 million.

The bill designates $11.3 billion to the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund, affecting 43 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. The state also would see $171 million to expand its EV charging network and $2.8 billion for public transportation.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed announced that the IIJA would provide $1.7 billion in highway and bridge funding as well as $277 million for mass transit, $45 million for airports and $23 million for EV charging stations. The state also would get $100 million to expand high-speed internet and $55 billion for water infrastructure.

South Carolina

The White House announced that South Carolina will receive $4.9 billion for roads and bridges; $366 million for public transportation; and $70 million to expand its network of EV charging stations

The state also will get $18.3 million to help protect against cyberattacks, $510 million to improve drinking water quality and $161 million for improvements to airport infrastructure.

South Dakota

It was announced in August that South Dakota was slated to get $1.9 billion for federal-aid highway apportioned programs and $225 million for bridge replacement and repairs. Plus, $355 million is designated to improve water infrastructure and $82 million for infrastructure development for airports.

The White House announced the state would see $124 million to improve public transportation; $29 million to support expansion of an EV charging network; $19.6 million to protect against wildfires; and $11.7 million to protect against cyberattacks.

Tennessee

President Biden’s infrastructure plan earmarks $1.35 billion in federal highway funds; $302 million for bridge repairs; $630 million to improve public transportation; $88 million for EV charging stations; and $300 million for airport improvements.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation noted $697 million is dedicated to improve water infrastructure across Tennessee, $21 million to protect against cyberattacks and $17 million to protect against wildfires.

Texas

Texas will receive approximately $35 billion for roads, bridges, broadband access, EV charging stations and more. The White House announced that nearly $27 billion has been set aside for federal highway projects and $3.3 billion for public transportation.

The state’s drinking water infrastructure will benefit from $2.9 billion; airports, $1.2 billion; bridges, $537 million; and the state’s EV charging network, $408 million. Texas will get $53 million for wildfire protection and $42 million for protection against cyberattacks.

Utah

Utah Sen. Mitt Romney announced his state will see $3 billion for highway and road construction and repairs. Another $219 million is slated for municipalities to provide clean drinking water to residents.

More than $200 million will bring water to the Navajo Nation in Utah, where approximately 40 percent of its members living on sovereign land currently don’t have running water.

The state also is set to receive $50 million for the Central Utah Project Completion Act, a project that directs water from the Colorado River for residential, commercial and agricultural purposes.

Vermont

Vermont will be awarded $1.4 billion for federal-aid highway programs over five years, announced Rep. Peter Welch, and $225 million for bridge replacement and repairs. Approximately $21 million is earmarked to expand Vermont’s EV charging network.

In addition, $77 million is designated for improvements and expansion of the state’s public transportation programs; $355 million to improve water infrastructure over five years; and $150 million for the Northern Border Regional Commission for regional economic development.

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Two Industry Veterans Come Together to Grow Successful S.C. Iron Business

IRON from page 24

He is still amazed at how small 4M Iron was when they founded the company as compared to where they are today with such a terrific location in St. George, coupled with the character and experience of their 11 employees.

Among the equipment distributor’s personnel are a pair of full-time shop technicians and an assistant, along with a yard manager at St. George.

McMillian oversees the sales team, which consists of one person each in Atlanta and Charlotte, and another covering the Savannah, Ga./Beaufort/Columbia, S.C., market. In addition, there is a sales representative that handles the area from Myrtle Beach to Florence, as well as southeastern North Carolina. To the northwest, 4M Iron has a rep serving the Upstate South Carolina and western North Carolina region.

4M Iron Expanding to Princeton, W.Va.

The founding partners of 4M Iron believe their company is in an emerging market in coastal South Carolina.

“When Ross and I originally bought this shop, people thought we were too far away from a city, but now that expansion and development is coming this way,” Finley said. “In fact, much of that growth is now closer to [the St. George] location than to our Charleston operations. WalMart is getting ready to complete a huge distribution center in nearby Ridgeville, and a lot of the expansion at the Port of Charleston is starting to head in our direction, whether it is refrigerated storage, or storage for a lot of the larger goods that utilize the port. Those facilities are being built along the I-95/I-26 corridor.”

Recently, 4M Iron expanded its business by opening a second location in Princeton, W.Va., and is in the process of hiring a full-time sales staff. Finley and McMillian believe that it is an area of the country that has been underserved in the used equipment marketplace.

Dealership Creates a Military Memorial Along I-95

As an example of 4M Iron’s strong values, the company and its personnel recently came together to erect a memorial display to honor the 13 U.S. soldiers killed on Aug. 26 during a bomb attack at the Kabul airport in Afghanistan. The display consists of the names of the service members on large boards, each accompanied with American flags, making them prominent enough to be seen from I-95, even at night. “We had talked with our employees and decided to put forth a philanthropic initiative honoring the military,” Finley said. “Larry Toto, who works with us, is a former Marine, and I also come from a military family. It was personal for our staff, and we just wanted to honor our country’s military service members and all the sacrifices they make every day, many of which become forgotten. “We have had a number of veterans pull off the interstate and into our facility to tell us how touched they have been by the display.” 4M Iron has a good supply of Caterpillar, Volvo, John Deere and For more information, call 843/901-2470, or Komatsu used machines. visit www.4miron.com.  CEG