Utility Trailer Announces Strong Sales Growth of Its Thin-Wall 4000D-X(TM) Dry Van in 2005

CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif.--April 5, 2006--Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company, a leading manufacturer of dry freight vans, reefers, flatbeds and Tautliner(R) curtainsided trailers, announced that its thin-wall 4000D-X(TM) dry van represents a growing percentage of its annual dry van production.

The thin-wall segment is comprised of dry vans that increase the inside width within the same exterior dimensions. The 4000D-X(TM) represents Utility Trailer's thin-wall dry van, which accounted for approximately 45% of Utility's dry van production in 2005, compared to about 5% in 2001.

The 4000D-X(TM) patented thin-wall design was engineered to compete squarely in the thin-wall segment by forging an aluminum exterior skin with 80K steel interior panels separated by a core material. The 4000D-X(TM)101 version provides a full 101 1/4" of inside width from lining to lining and 101" from wearband to wearband with 4,085 cubic feet of productivity. The 4000D-X(TM) 100 version has deeper side posts with increased stiffness for bulge loads. Pre-painted, white galvanized, high-strength interior lining panels provide a Snag Free(TM) surface and a full 100" of inside width from wearband to wearband.

"The 4000D-X(TM) dry van raises the standard in thin-wall trailers engineered as durable, productive and versatile," stated Craig Bennett, Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing, Utility Trailer. "We have a well-established reputation of providing durable trailers, and the 4000D-X(TM) reflects our dedication to providing a solidly engineered product to compete with other forms of thin-wall trailers, such as the plate trailer. We expect demand to remain strong for thin-wall trailers and look forward to contributing to the success of that segment."

About Utility Trailer

Based in City of Industry, Calif., and celebrating its 90-year anniversary, Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company is America's oldest privately owned, family-operated trailer manufacturer. Building trailers since 1914, the company designs and manufactures dry freight vans, flatbeds, refrigerated vans, and Tautliner(R) curtainsided trailers. Utility is the largest producer of refrigerated vans and the third largest trailer manufacturer overall in the U.S.A. Utility currently operates five regionally placed trailer factories: two for refrigerated trailers, located in Marion, Va., and Clearfield, Utah; two for Dry Vans, located in Glade Spring, Va., and Paragould, Ark.; and a Flatbed and Tautliner(R) factory in Enterprise, Ala. Utility's historical position as America's largest producer of refrigerated vans is a direct result of its management's focus on providing innovative solutions to customer problems. Utility's extensive dealer network has over 100 locations throughout the USA, Canada and Mexico and South America. For more information, contact Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company at 626-965-1541, or visit the company's web site at www.utilitytrailer.com.