Trailer builder Fruehauf wants parts makers as co-defendants in suit

The trailer building company, Fruehauf, has filed a motion in a Kentucky court to include three parts manufacturers as co-defendants in a lawsuit against Indiana-based Summitt Leasing and Summitt Trucking. The dispute centers around allegations of defective work leading to trailers catching fire. Fruehauf contends it did not manufacture the component parts at the heart of the controversy, but merely installed them.

The lawsuit alleges that the component manufacturers—specifically SAF-Holland Inc., Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC, and Hoosier Trailer Acquisition Corp.—delivered faulty parts to Fruehauf, which then installed them onto the trailers. Summitt is the carrier and also supplies leased trailers, while Hoosier Trailer Acquisition Corp. is a dealer that supplied the trailers to Pace Transportation Services.

Pace, in turn, leased the trailers to Summitt. The case began in September 2022 when Summitt purchased 100 trailers from Fruehauf in reliance on the company's advertising. However, the trailers exhibited significant issues shortly after usage, including brake engagement without prompting, poor fuel efficiency, and wheel ends reaching dangerous temperatures.

The fires and chronic issues involving the brake system led to the lawsuit, with Summitt claiming the trailers were defective. Fruehauf is now seeking to widen the list of defendants, suggesting that any efforts towards an out-of-court settlement are off the table.