A trailer spends its days parked at job sites and rolling down highways. Its flat sides are some of the biggest surfaces a business owns. Left plain, they say nothing. Wrapped, they tell everyone who you are, what you do and how to reach you.
Gogi Signs wraps trailers for contractors, caterers, event companies and fleets across New Jersey and New York City. This guide covers what a wrap does, how long the film lasts, the lettering rules and how to care for it.
In this guide
Why Businesses Wrap Their Trailers
- Advertising that keeps working. A trailer is seen on the road and at every job site.
- A professional look. A branded trailer looks like an established company.
- Protection. Wrap film covers the paint and can be removed later.
- Easy to spot. Crews and customers find your trailer fast on a busy site.
3M cites an older industry study from 2003 estimating that vehicle advertising generates 30,000 to 70,000 impressions a day, and a 2019 Nielsen study in which 64 percent of people said they noticed vehicle graphics, on its fleet graphics page. Treat the daily number as a rough estimate, since it is more than 20 years old.
Full Wrap, Partial Wrap or Lettering
- Full wrap. Printed film over every side. The most impact.
- Partial wrap. Graphics on part of each side, using the trailer color as the background.
- Lettering. Cut vinyl name, services and phone. The lowest cost.
Lettering is a good start if budget is tight. You can add a partial or full wrap later on the same trailer.
How Long a Trailer Wrap Lasts
- 3M IJ180. Rated for 10 years as unprinted film on a flat vertical outdoor surface. 3M calls the original film optimal for trailer and box truck graphics and says it conforms to corrugations and rivets, in its product bulletin.
- Avery Dennison MPI 1105. Rated for 10 years unprinted on vertical surfaces in European conditions and recommended for rivets and corrugations with the matching laminate, on its data sheet.
- ORAFOL ORAJET 3951. Printed and laminated, rated 7 years in its mildest climate zone and less in harsher ones, according to ORAFOL.
These are ratings for ideal conditions. Printed film lasts less than unprinted film, and roofs and horizontal surfaces age fastest. Warranties for printed graphics are separate. Our sister company in New York covers the return on vehicle wraps in its vehicle wraps ROI guide.
Design That Reads at Speed
- Name and service first. What you do should be readable in a few seconds.
- One phone number or website, large.
- High contrast. Dark on light or light on dark.
- Avoid the door seams and rivet lines for key words.
- Use both sides and the back. The back is what drivers stare at in traffic.
Lettering the Law Requires
In New Jersey, most commercial vehicles must show the name of the owner, lessee or lessor and the town of the principal place of business, in letters at least 3 inches high. In a truck and trailer combination, either unit can carry it, under statute 39:4 46. Vehicles of 26,001 pounds or more must also show the gross vehicle weight rating.
The federal marking rule, which requires the company name and USDOT number in letters readable from 50 feet, applies to self propelled commercial vehicles, under 49 CFR 390.21. In other words, the USDOT number goes on the truck, not the trailer. Check with your safety advisor for your exact setup.
Washing and Care
3M’s care guide sets limits for pressure washing wraps: keep the nozzle at least 30 centimeters away, use no more than 80 bar of pressure and water no hotter than 60 degrees Celsius, and do not aim at the edges, in its instruction bulletin 6.5. Hand washing with mild soap is gentler. Park in shade when you can.
Removal
Wraps are made to come off. 3M says its IJ180 film is removable with heat within the warranty period at 10 degrees Celsius or warmer. Its care guide recommends heating the film and pulling at a low angle, and warns that most scraping methods damage the surface underneath. Have a pro remove it to protect the trailer.
Planning the Project
- Measure the trailer, including doors, vents and rivet lines.
- Design to the real dimensions, with the required lettering included.
- Approve a proof on a photo of your trailer.
- Clean and prep the surface. Wraps stick best to clean, sound paint.
- Install indoors at the right temperature.
If you have several vehicles, start with the one seen most. Pixel Wraps, our sister graphics shop, explains how in how many fleet vehicles should you wrap first. See our trailer wraps and truck wraps.
What Affects the Cost
Price depends on the trailer size, how much of it you cover, the film and laminate, and the condition of the surface. Rivets, corrugations and doors take more time. A full wrap on a large enclosed trailer costs more than lettering on a small utility trailer, but both carry your name everywhere it goes. Every Gogi price includes design, printing and installation.
Trailer Wraps vs Magnetic Signs
Magnetic signs are cheap and easy to move, but they only stick to flat steel. Many trailers have aluminum skins or rivets, where magnets will not hold. They can also fall off at highway speed. A wrap or vinyl lettering stays put and looks permanent.
Your Parked Trailer Is a Sign Too
A trailer parked at a job site or outside your shop works as a sign all day. Park it where people pass, with the best side facing the street, and keep it clean. Put your website or phone on every side so it reads from any angle.
Common Questions About Trailer Wraps
Are trailer wraps worth it?
For businesses whose trailers are on the road or at job sites, usually yes. A trailer side is a large, constantly visible sign.
How long does a trailer wrap last?
Premium cast films such as 3M IJ180 are rated for 10 years unprinted on vertical surfaces. Printed wraps last less, depending on the film, laminate and care.
Does my trailer need a USDOT number?
The federal marking rule applies to self propelled commercial vehicles, so the USDOT number goes on the truck. Check with your safety advisor for your setup.
What lettering does a trailer need in New Jersey?
The owner name and town in letters at least 3 inches high. In a truck and trailer combination, either unit can carry it.
Can a trailer wrap be removed?
Yes. Premium films are made to be removed with heat. A pro removal protects the paint.
Can you pressure wash a wrapped trailer?
Carefully. 3M says to keep the nozzle at least 30 centimeters away, stay under 80 bar and 60 degrees Celsius, and avoid the edges.
Wrap Your Trailers in Linden
We design, print and install trailer wraps in our Linden shop. See our fleet wraps, then request a free quote.
