Issue date: March 08, 2011
Revised: January 03, 2013
Please reference the attachment for information regarding the aftermarket installation
of the Utility Side Skirts (USS-120A) on Refrigerated Trailers.
Any other questions regarding this service bulletin should be directed to
Utility’s Field Service Department at 800-423-6591.
Field Service Department
UTILITY TRAILER MANUFACTURING COMPANY
Attachment: 27 pages
SB-19-003
Page 1 of 1
Installing Reefer Side Skirts
USS120A
FSD
Utility Trailer Manufacturing Co
USS-120A Utility Side Skirt Installation
Guide for Reefer Trailers
Date: 01/03/2013 1
UTUSS120A Side Skirt Parts Kit Part Number Part Description Qty
GC00049 Panel .120X34”X23’W 02 Ea
03-1075-0-319 Brace Strut 14GA HT8 12 Ea
03-1075-0-320 Brace Strut Spring 1 12 Ea
03-2155-0-039 Clip C-Bar Mtg 12GA 48 Ea
03-6281-0-106 Plate Angle Mtg 12GA 12 Ea
03-6281-0-105 Plate Brace Strut Mtg 24 Ea
03-6155-0-020 Pipe Alum Std 6061-T 24 Ea
03-6268-0-068 Plate Bearing 26 GA G 12 Ea
04-0490-0-002 Nuts & Bolts for Spring Bracket 01 Bag
CB7P9654 Rivet Alum 1/4“X5/8” 01 Bag
03-2690-0-243 Decal Patent Pending 02 Ea
03-2690-0-232 Decal Notice No Fuel 01 Ea
03-0250-0-019 Angle Alum 2X2X275 1 02 Ea
03-6775-0-306 Reinf Strip Alum Pun 06 Ea
03-1102-0-409 Spring Bracket 02 Ea
03-6268-0-070 Plate Bearing for Spring Bracket 02 Ea 2
Note: Parts, Quantity and Design subject to change. Please check with UTM Field
Service for updates.
General Skirt Layout
3
Strut Components
4
Clip C-bar MTG
Plate Strut Mounting
Brace Strut Spring
Brace Strut
Pre-Assemble:
Strut Components Leave one bolt and one nut out. This allows
for the bracket to pivot for attachment to the
cross bars. Pre-assemble ALL struts prior to
assembly to trailer.
5
Bottom View
Top Side
Pre-Assemble:
Angle Mounting Plates
6
Leave out the nuts and bolts on the outside. This allows for the brackets to pivot for
attachment. Pre-assemble ALL the angle mounting brackets before assembly to trailer.
NOTE: that the angle mounting assemblies for the 4” cross bars in combination with 5 ½”
crossbars use aluminum pipe spacers
Attach: Strut Subassemblies to
the Trailer
7
Identify the crossbars where the struts are to be installed on the trailer (See Page 7).
Rotate the mounting clips to engage the crossbar, insert additional nuts an bolts and
hand tighten only. Hang struts for entire trailer and slide towards center.
Strut Layout
8
2ND CMEM AFTER
LEG SUB ASSY (24”)
Leave Struts Loose for Positioning
9
Snug tighten nuts and bolts so strut will slide, but not fall off, prior to
locating the side skirt subassembly.
Attach: Mounting Plates to
Trailer
10
Identify the crossbars where the angle mounting plates are to be installed on the trailer.
Rotate the mounting clips to engage the crossbar, tighten nuts and bolts for a snug fit
where part will slide, but not fall off. Hang angle mounting plates for the entire trailer
and slide towards center to clear skirt
Photo: Struts & Angle Mounting
Brackets on Trailer
11
Note: Refer to drawing for placement of struts
Wingplate Spring Bracket
12
Apply: Barrier Tape to the Skirt
Mounting Angle
13
Protection between the dissimilar metals
Clamp: Skirt in Place
14
Position the forward edge of the skirt at the rear edge of the leg wingplate. Locate the
rear edge of the skirt flush with the bottom rail. Position the skirt so the top edge of the skirt is as straight as possible.
Skirt mounting
angle is flush with bottom rail
Skirt is flush with back of wingplate
Clamp: Skirt to Crossbars
15
Toggle clamp in about (4) places. Place clamps on crossbars that do not have struts or
angle clamp assemblies
Install: Wingplate Spring Bracket
Mounting
16
Use the pre-punched holes in the spring bracket to back drill (2) 5/16” diameter holes
through the side skirt. Attach the spring bracket to the side skirt using 5/16” steel bolts
and lock nuts
Attach: Angle Mounting Brackets
to the Skirt Mounting Angle
17
Slide the angle mounting brackets onto the angle. Snug tighten, line drill through
mounting angle. Insert additional nuts and bolts and snug tighten. Verify that top edge
of the skirt is straight and tighten all nuts and bolts.
Drill: Strut Mounting Holes in Skirt
with Center Drill Template
18
Note: After drilling the first hole, stick an awl
in the drilled hole to hold the template in
place while drilling the remaining holes.
Remove: Plastic Protective Layer
19
Assemble: Lower Strut
20
Install bolts in skirt backup plate and through skirt and lower strut. Tighten the nuts while
holding the head of the screw. Note: the plate with the patent pending decal goes on
the second strut from the rear on each side
Final Skirt Positioning
21
Position the struts (in or out) so that the bottom edge of the skirt is as straight as possible.
Tighten all strut nuts and bolts.
Drill: Hole for Mid Turn Harness
22
Grommet: Harness Hole
23
Mount the center marker light bracket and light.
Install: Fuel Tank
24
Position the fuel tank so that the fill spout is approximately flush with the backside of the
skirt. Be sure to follow the fuel tank manufacturer’s installation instructions.
Fuel Tank Access Holes
25
Locate spout access hole so it is centered front to rear on the tank and the top of the
hole is tangent to the aluminum mounting angle. Hole saw a 5 ½” diameter hole.
Locate the fuel gage sight hole vertically in line with the spout hole and approximately
16 ½“ from the bottom of the 4” crossbars. Hole saw a 4” diameter hole. Verify all
dimensions before cutting. Use drawing as reference only.
Finished Product – Inside View
26
Finished Product – Outside View
27
Note: Patent Pending
Decal Location
Refer to skirt fabrication presentation for skirt fabrication details