#HTE

This Anti-Glare Explanation of Why Some Trailers Have Quilted Doors Doesn’t Make Sense to Me

Making the rounds is a Jalopnik entry that ostensibly explains why some truck trailers have quilted doors at the rear:

“The quilted steel stops light from reflecting directly backwards. It breaks bright reflections and angles them away from drivers.”

I understand that quilted surfaces do indeed break up light, but the rationale for having these on a truck doesn’t make sense to me, from a cost perspective.

The post points out that “the option can run anywhere from $800 to $1,000;” and I cynically suspect that the persons in charge of procurement for trucking companies don’t care as much about the convenience of other drivers as they do about the company’s bottom line. If glare was the sole issue, I imagine a judicious shade of paint would be cheaper.

So, I suspect that if they’re spending $800 to $1,000 on this quilted option, it either somehow reduces costs (easier to clean/maintain than paint?) or improves performance (better insulation for refrigerated trucks?).

Any guesses?