How a Smarter Trailer Design Earned Gridko Top Industry Honors
Nashville, Sunday, 20 September 2026.
Gridko secured the overall 2026 NATDA TRAILmakER Award by replacing traditional, heavy auxiliary trailer engines with a faster system powered directly by the tow vehicle’s engine.
Gridko Secures Heavy-Duty TRAILmakER Award
Gridko, a manufacturer based in Statesville, NC, has been recognized at the 2026 North American Trailer Dealers Association (NATDA) Awards, winning the Heavy-Duty TRAILmakER Award for its new Live Drive PTO Roll-Off Trailer [1]. The announcement coincides with the conclusion of the 2026 NATDA Trailer Show, which took place from September 1 to September 3, 2026, at Nashville’s Music City Center [2]. This accolade highlights a significant shift in hydraulic trailer technology, as the innovative design replaces traditional pony motors with a live drive power take-off (PTO) system [1]. The award win was reported on September 20, 2026, marking a recent development in the commercial fleet sector [1]. By drawing on decades of heavy equipment expertise, the company aims to streamline operations and lower maintenance overhead for operators [1].
Technical Innovation in Hydraulic Systems
Traditional heavy-duty hydraulic trailers typically rely on “pony motors,” which are auxiliary engines dedicated to powering hydraulic pumps [1]. In contrast, Gridko’s award-winning design utilizes a truck’s power take-off (PTO) to run the hydraulic system, effectively eliminating the need for a secondary engine [1]. For trucks equipped with existing PTO provisions, the system is compatible with Gridko’s “PTO Wet Kit,” while vehicles without PTO can utilize a bolt-on clutch pump that draws power directly from the vehicle’s engine [1]. This configuration was demonstrated on a Ford F-250 at the 2026 NATDA Trailer Show, where the PTO-driven setup noted increased operating speed compared to traditional configurations [1]. The engineering team questioned why such efficiency was not previously standard, asking, “If it works that well on the trucks, why are we not doing the same thing on the trailers?” [1].
NATDA Trailer Show Attendance and Growth
The context for this award is a record-breaking industry gathering, with the 2026 NATDA Trailer Show hosting more than 4,700 industry professionals and over 800 dealerships [2]. Total registration for the event increased by more than 10% compared to 2025, indicating robust health in the trailer manufacturing and dealership sector [2]. Dealerships reported an average projected spend of $555,000, with 88% of attendees possessing purchasing influence [2]. The event featured a sold-out floor with over 310 exhibitors and more than 325,000 square feet of exhibit space [2]. Rick McConnell, CEO of Trifecta Collective LLC, noted that the double-digit growth over the past two years speaks volumes about the value the industry places on convening [2].
Industry Implications and Future Outlook
Following the Heavy Duty trailer category win, Gridko also secured the NATDA Overall TRAILmakER Trophy, according to reports dated September 19, 2026 [1]. The broader industry sentiment remains positive, with Andria Gibbon, executive director of NATDA, stating that the energy and participation demonstrated that professionals see tremendous value in investing in the future of their businesses [2]. Looking ahead, professional recordings of several training sessions from the show are planned for release as online learning modules in the fall of 2026 [2]. The next NATDA Trailer Show is scheduled for August 31 through September 2, 2027, at the same Nashville location, with over 70% of exhibit space already booked [2]. This trajectory suggests continued innovation and investment in heavy-duty transport solutions.