Abstract:
The disclosure provides systems and methods of use pertaining to the storage and transportation of sucker rods used in sucker rod pumps for oil wells. The system includes a flatbed having a protective structure protruding perpendicular from the flatbed on all four sides. A removable cover may be disposed about the protective structure to protect stored rods from negative environmental impacts. The system also includes a fluid containment system and an integrated and detachable catwalk system that allows rig crews to load and unload sucker rods without walking on previously loaded rods or rolling rods across the width of the trailer. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Description:
REFERENCE TO PENDING PRIOR PATENT APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/180,206, filed Jun. 16, 2015 by Justin Winkler for “SUCKER ROD TRAILER,” which patent application is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    A sucker rod is a rod, typically made of steel, used in the oil industry to join the surface and downhole components of a reciprocating piston pump installed in an oil well. Sucker rods are typically between 25 and 30 feet in length with threaded ends. Generally, sucker rods are stored and/or transported to the end location using a flatbed trailer long enough to provide support (i.e., to avoid excessive flexing caused by overhang) along the length of the rod. Existing sucker rod trailers are generally twenty-five to thirty foot gooseneck trailers that are open to the environment and suitable for multiple industrial purposes. 
         [0003]    To load an existing trailer, rods are placed one by one on top of wooden boards, generally 2-inch×4-inch or 4-inch×4-inch in cross-section. A rig crew carries the rods onto the trailer, walks across the trailer&#39;s flatbed, and lays the rods down. Another layer of wooden boards is placed on top of the lower rods before the next rod layer is applied. This process continues until the trailer is fully loaded. As the rod layers begin to stack, the rig crew either walks on top the rods as they lay them down or rolls the rods across the wooden layer from one side of the trailer to the other. Walking on the rods can damage them, creating micro fractures and/or nicks in the metal. Similarly, rolling the rods across the width of the trailer into one another encourages metal-to-metal contact that can cause small abrasions in the metal. Corrosion may attack these weak areas, working its way across the diameter of the rods and creating weak points that ultimately lead to failure. 
         [0004]    Existing sucker rod trailers are also open to the environment and exposed to the elements, allowing for rain, snow, dust, pollutants, and other airborne debris to access and attach to the rods. When debris collects in the end couplings of the rods (e.g., the rod boxes and/or the threaded pin ends), the amount of torque required to tighten the rods during pump installation is altered. This prevents the rods from reaching proper torque specifications, a critical parameter in preventing failure. 
         [0005]    Sucker rods are often covered with oil and salt water, and existing trailers do not provide a mechanism for containing or controlling run-off in a manner that allows for proper disposal and/or mitigation of slip risk. Current trailers also lack a containment mechanism for other chemicals that might be applied to the rods. Most often, excess oil causes a slip hazard and applied chemicals simply seep off the rods, the trailer, and into the ground. 
         [0006]    Given these challenges, existing sucker rod trailers fail to give rig crews a solution that provides for the efficient, non-damaging, and safe laying of rods within a sucker rod trailer for transport and/or storage. Moreover, once loaded, existing trailers fail to protect loaded rods from environmental damage that undermines the longevity and efficacy of the rods. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
         [0008]    One embodiment provides a trailer system for storing and transporting sucker rods. The trailer may include a flatbed having front, back, left, and right sides and a protective structure protruding perpendicular to the flatbed along the front, back, left, and right sides. The trailer may also include a detachable catwalk system protruding parallel to the flatbed along at least the left and the right sides, the catwalk system configured to support a number of users walking along the catwalk. 
         [0009]    Another embodiment provides a sucker rod storage and transportation trailer. The sucker rod storage and transportation trailer may include (1) a flatbed sized to receive a number of sucker rods, the flatbed having front, back, left, and right sides; (2) a containment wall abutting the flatbed on the front, back, left, and right sides of the flatbed, the flatbed and the containment wall forming a fluid containment area; (3) a detachable catwalk system bordering the containment wall along at least the left and the right sides of the flatbed, wherein the detachable catwalk system includes a proximal edge and a distal edge relative to the containment wall, and wherein the detachable catwalk system is configured to support one or more users; and (4) a detachable protective structure having a left railing section disposed along the left side of the flatbed, a right railing section disposed along the right side of the flatbed, a front railing section disposed along the front side of the flatbed, and a back railing section disposed along the back side of the flatbed, the left and right railing sections configured to optionally attach at a proximal position located adjacent to the proximal edge of the detachable catwalk system and a distal position located adjacent to the distal edge of the detachable catwalk system. 
         [0010]    Yet another embodiment provides a method of storing and transporting sucker rods using a sucker rod trailer having (1) a flatbed sized to receive the sucker rods, the flatbed having front, back, left, and right sides surrounded by a containment wall, the flatbed and the containment wall combining to form a fluid containment area; and (2) a protective structure disposed about the containment wall, the method comprising. Embodiments of the method initiate with removing, from one of a number of storage structures suspended beneath the flatbed, a catwalk section selected from a number of catwalk sections, and attaching the catwalk section adjacent to the left or the right side of the flatbed. The steps of removing the catwalk section and attaching the catwalk section may be repeated until a catwalk system protrudes parallel to the left and the right sides of the flatbed in a manner that supports one or more users. The method may also include loading the trailer by placing a sucker rod within the fluid containment area by walking solely upon the catwalk system. The step of placing the sucker rod may be repeated until all the sucker rods are stacked within the fluid containment area. 
         [0011]    Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the technology will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become more apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned from practice of the technology. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention, including the preferred embodiment, are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. Illustrative embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings, in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  illustrates a side plan view of one embodiment of an improved sucker rod trailer; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a flatbed and a portion of a protective structure for the sucker rod trailer of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of one embodiment of the flatbed of  FIG. 2 , having a fluid containment area; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  illustrates a partial perspective view of the fluid containment area of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  illustrates a front view of an exemplary side railing section of the protective structure of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  illustrates a front view of an exemplary back railing section of the protective structure of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  illustrates a top view of one embodiment of a pin joint for connecting the side railing section of  FIG. 5  with the back railing section of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  illustrates a front view of one embodiment of a front railing section of the protective structure of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  illustrates a top view of one embodiment of the front railing section of  FIG. 10 , as attached to the side railing sections of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a removable cover enclosing the protective structure of  FIGS. 2 and 5-9 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a number of securement straps for the cover of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  illustrates a perspective view of the protective system of  FIGS. 2 and 5-9  enveloped by the cover of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 13  illustrates a partial perspective view of one embodiment of a catwalk system for the trailer of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 14  illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of an individual catwalk section of the catwalk system of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 15  illustrates a top view of the catwalk section of  FIG. 14 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 16A  illustrates a side view of the catwalk section of  FIGS. 14-15 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 16B  illustrates a front view of a leverage block of the catwalk section of  FIGS. 14-16A ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 17  illustrates the catwalk system of  FIG. 13  having the side railing section of  FIG. 5  attached in a first optional configuration; 
           [0031]      FIG. 18  illustrates the catwalk system of  FIG. 13  having the side railing section of  FIG. 5  attached in a second optional configuration; 
           [0032]      FIG. 19  illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a storage bin for the catwalk section of  FIG. 14  in an open configuration; 
           [0033]      FIG. 20  illustrates a perspective view of the storage bin of  FIG. 19  in a closed configuration; 
           [0034]      FIG. 21  illustrates a side view of the storage bin of  FIG. 19 , as attached to a frame of the trailer; and 
           [0035]      FIG. 22  provides a flow chart depicting an exemplary method for storing and transporting sucker rods using the sucker rod trailer of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0036]    Embodiments are described more fully below in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the system and method. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense. 
         [0037]    Various embodiments of the systems and methods described herein relate to the storage and transport of sucker rods for use in sucker rod pumps to be installed in oil wells. The system discussed below provides an improved sucker rod trailer that includes several components designed to facilitate safe and non-damaging rod loading, storage, and transport procedures. 
         [0038]      FIG. 1  illustrates a side view of an improved sucker rod trailer  50 . In this embodiment, sucker rod trailer  50  encompasses several component systems, detailed below, which include a containment wall/area for fluid management, a protective structure and removable cover for environmental protection, and a catwalk system designed for access to the trailer to facilitate the safe and non-damaging loading and unloading of sucker rods. 
         [0039]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of a base trailer  52  (e.g., a gooseneck trailer) having a flatbed  54  with front, back, left, and right sides  56 ,  58 ,  60 , and  62 , respectively. Flatbed  54  serves as the base for the component systems discussed above. 
         [0040]      FIGS. 3-4  illustrate top and partial-perspective views of flatbed  54 , which features a containment wall  64  bordering flatbed  54  along each of its sides  56 ,  58 ,  60 , and  62 . In one embodiment, flatbed  54  may have a length, L, of approximately thirty feet ( FIG. 3 ), though flatbed  54  may be longer or shorter depending on sucker rod length. Containment wall  64  may combine with flatbed  54  to create a fluid containment area  66  to catch any accumulated fluid that is shed from loaded sucker rods (e.g., oil) or any chemical additives sprayed upon loaded sucker rods, thereby allowing excess fluid to be properly managed, collected, and disposed of. In one embodiment, containment wall  64  may have a height, H, of approximately 2 inches to ensure fluid containment ( FIG. 4 ), and fluid containment area  66  may be coated or layered with a fluid and/or chemical resistant material to protect flatbed  54 . When level, and in one embodiment, containment area  66  may hold approximately seven petroleum barrels (bbls) of fluid. 
         [0041]      FIGS. 2-4  also illustrate a protective structure  68  that may be disposed along flatbed  54  on all sides  56 ,  58 ,  60 , and  62 . In one embodiment, protective structure  68  may protrude from flatbed  54  in a direction perpendicular to flatbed  54 . Protective structure  68  may be formed from a number of connected railing sections, including side railing sections  67 , a back railing section  77 , and a front railing section  87  ( FIG. 3 ). Each railing section may have any appropriate length required to border each side  56 ,  58 ,  60 , and  62  of flatbed  54 /containment wall  64  in continuous or segmented portions. 
         [0042]    In further detail,  FIG. 5  shows a front view of one embodiment of side railing section  67  of protective structure  68 . In this embodiment, side railing section  67  may include a series of three side rail portions  69  for attachment to left side  60  and right side  62  of flatbed  54 . Each side rail portion  69  may be formed of lateral and vertical rails  71 ,  73 , respectively. Lateral and vertical rails  71 ,  73  may be formed of 2-inch×2-inch steel box tubing, welded to create a primarily rectangular railing section having approximately ten feet in length. While  FIG. 5  is discussed in relation to three connected, ten-foot side rail portions  69 , side rail portions  69  may have any appropriate length and/or configuration, and any number of side rail portions  69  may be employed along the length, L, of flatbed  54 . 
         [0043]    To connect side railing section  67  to flatbed  54 , each side rail portion  69  may also include a number of attachment tabs  70 . Attachment tabs  70  may be configured to slide within corresponding pockets  72 , present on a rub rail  74  that runs along left and right sides  60 ,  62  of flatbed  54 . In one embodiment, tabs  70  may be formed from 1.5-inch×3-inch box tubing. Depending on the sizing of existing pockets  72  within rub rail  74 , tabs  70  may incorporate a plate steel shim (not shown) having a thickness that is appropriate to create a secure fit between tabs  70  and pockets  72 , while still allowing for each side rail portion  69  to be manually installed and removed from pockets  72 . In one embodiment, the shim may be formed of 3/16-inch plate steel. Side rail portions  69  may be coupled to one another via one or more pin joints  76 . Each pin joint  76  may include a steel pin  75  having a ⅜-inch diameter, or any other suitable diameter and/or configuration. 
         [0044]    Protective structure  68  may continue around the perimeter of flatbed  54  from side sections  67  to back section  77 , shown in  FIG. 6 . Back section  77  may include two end sections  78  that span the distance between side rail portions  69  at the top and the bottom. In one embodiment, each end section  78  may be formed from 2-inch×2-inch steel box tubing having any appropriate length (e.g., 8′ 1¾″). 
         [0045]    Each end section  78  may be secured to side railing sections  67 . Specifically, each end section  78  may connect to lateral rails  71  of side rail portions  69  ( FIG. 5 ) via two pinned joints  80 . As detailed in the top-partial view of  FIG. 7 , each end of sections  78  may be fitted with an attachment tab  82 , configured for insertion into the open ends of lateral rails  71 , discussed above, which run along the side length of flatbed  54 . Once attachment tab  82  is inserted within lateral rail  71 , it may be pinned into place using a pin  84  configured to press fit within aligned apertures drilled through attachment tabs  82  and the ends of lateral rails  71 . In one exemplary embodiment, attachment tabs  82  may be formed from 1¾-inch×1½-inch steel box tubing, sized to fit within the hollow 2-inch×2-inch tubing of lateral rails  71 , and pin  84  may be a steel pin having a ⅜-inch diameter. Notably, all dimensions are exemplary, and lateral and vertical rails  71 ,  73 , end sections  78 , attachment tabs  82 , and pin joint  80  may be formed of any appropriate material and may take any appropriate size, shape, type, and/or configuration. 
         [0046]      FIGS. 8-9  show respective front and top-partial views of one embodiment of a front railing section  87  of protective structure  68 , as connected to side railing section  67 . As an alternative to employing attachment tabs  82 , as discussed above in relation to back section  77  of  FIGS. 6-7 , end sections  78  may be secured to lateral rails  71  through the use of an angle iron  86  ( FIG. 9 ). Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 9 , angle iron  86  (or a shorter angle iron at each end) may be attached at each end of sections  78  and pinned into place using pin  84  in a manner that abuts end sections  78  against lateral rails  71  of side rail portions  69 . In one embodiment, angle iron  86  may be formed from 2-inch angle iron of any appropriate length. This connection between front railing section  87  and side railing section  67  completes protective structure  68 . Notably, pin joints  80  have been described in relation to attaching back railing section  77  to side railing section  67 , while angle iron  86  has been described in relation to attaching front railing section  87  to side railing section  67 . These attachment mechanisms are interchangeable and may be applied as appropriate to any joint on the trailer. 
         [0047]    Protective structure  68  serves as both a railing system for safety purposes during sucker rod loading, discussed in further detail below, and as a support framework for a cover.  FIG. 10  illustrates a perspective view of a removable cover  88  stretched over protective system  68  (not shown). As shown in  FIG. 10 , cover  88  may extend over front railing section  87 , side railing sections  67 , and back railing section  77  of protective structure  68 . Cover  88  may be attached to front railing section  87  via a hook-and-loop connection system, such as, for example, a system of mating Velcro® strips. These strips may be attached to one or both end sections  78  along front end  56  of flatbed  54 , as well as corresponding locations on cover  88 . Cover  88  may be secured to the remainder of the trailer using a series of straps  90  ( FIG. 11 ) affixed to the sides of flatbed  54 . In one embodiment, industrial hook-and-loop strips may secure the corner junctions. 
         [0048]    Cover  88  may be formed of a durable and flexible material that is water and chemical resistant (e.g., polyethylene). When in place, cover  88  provides loaded sucker rods with protection against environmental hazards such as, for example, rain, snow, dust, and other debris that have proven harmful to sucker rod performance and longevity. 
         [0049]      FIG. 12  illustrates a perspective view of the interior of the trailer when cover  88  is in place over protective structure  68 . Notably, the material of cover  88  may also be used to line flatbed  54  and containment wall  64 , thereby providing a chemical liner for fluid containment area  66 , discussed above in relation to  FIGS. 3-4 . 
         [0050]    In one embodiment, rod racks (not shown) may be installed upon flatbed  54  and within the footprint of protective structure  68  and cover  88  to allow proper spacing between stored sucker rods and to eliminate damaging metal-to-metal contact (e.g., grinding, rubbing, etc.). 
         [0051]      FIG. 13  illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a catwalk system  100  configured for attachment to rub rail  74  ( FIG. 5 ). Embodiments of catwalk system  100  allow a rig crew to walk adjacent to the length of flatbed  54  while loading sucker rods, regardless of the height of the rod stack. Using catwalk system  100 , rig crews may easily access the center of flatbed  54 , allowing them to carefully and safely place each layer of sucker rods without the need to walk on top of lower layers, risking damage to the rods. 
         [0052]    In one embodiment detailed in  FIGS. 13-16 , catwalk system  100  may include a number of individual and detachable catwalk sections  102 .  FIGS. 14-16  illustrate perspective, top, and side views, respectively, of one embodiment of an individual catwalk section  102 . In this embodiment, each catwalk section  102  may include a support base  104  covered with an anti-slip walking surface  106  (e.g., expanded metal). In one embodiment detailed in  FIG. 15 , support base  104  may include a frame  108  bisected by a beam  110 . Frame  108  may, in one embodiment, be formed from 2-inch C channel iron having a 4-foot×18-inch rectangular footprint, while beam  110  may be formed of 2-inch angle iron. 
         [0053]      FIGS. 16A-B  detail a mechanism by which each catwalk section  102  may attach to rub rail  74  ( FIGS. 17-18 ). In one embodiment, catwalk section  102  may attach through a notched block  112  and a leverage block  114  ( FIG. 16B ). Notched block  112  may be located at a proximal edge  101  of catwalk section  102  and include a notch  113  configured to conveniently hook over/engage with an edge of rub rail  74 , such that catwalk  102  protrudes in a parallel fashion from left and right sides  60 ,  62  of flatbed  54 , as shown in  FIGS. 17-18 . The spacing between rub rail  74  and notch  113  in block  112  may allow for manual installation and removal of catwalk section  102 . 
         [0054]    One embodiment of leverage block  114  may sit at an end of a 2-inch×¾-inch strap steel arm  116  that angles away from a distal edge  103  of catwalk section  102 , or from a position offset from distal edge  103  of catwalk section  102  (e.g., offset by 1½-inches or any appropriate distance), in a manner that allows for the positioning of leverage block  114  against a side of rub rail  74 , again as shown in  FIGS. 17-18 . In one embodiment, arm  116  may be approximately 19 inches in length and may be supported at an angle via the angle iron of beam  110 . 
         [0055]    Leverage block  114  may be sized as appropriate to leverage support from rub rail  74 , and, in one embodiment, may be formed of ¾-inch steel plate and form a 2-inch by ¾-inch rectangular footprint. In this regard, leverage block  114  may leverage the weight of catwalk section  102  against rub rail  74 , adding additional vertical support for one or more users walking upon catwalk system  100 . While catwalk system  100  and catwalk section  102  are described with an exemplary set of dimensions, the components of catwalk system  100  and catwalk section  102  may take any appropriate size, shape, and/or configuration to effectively suspend catwalk  102  from the side of flatbed  54 . 
         [0056]    As shown in  FIGS. 17-18 , the distal edge  103  of catwalk section  102  may be fitted with pockets similar to pockets  72  within rub rail  74 , allowing side railing portions  69  of side railing sections  67  to optionally be moved to the outside of catwalk system  100  when catwalks  102  are installed. This repositioning of side rails  69  is demonstrated in  FIGS. 17-18 . In an alternative embodiment, side rail portions  69  may be configured to fold down and outward, such that they offer protective support when vertical and may be used as catwalks when horizontal. 
         [0057]    One embodiment of catwalk system  100  may include numerous removable catwalk sections  102 . When not in use, catwalk sections  102  may be stored in hinged storage bins  130  located beneath flatbed  54 .  FIG. 19  illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a hinged storage bin  130 . In further detail, and in this embodiment, each bin  130  may include a welded box structure  132  suspended from the bottom of flatbed  54 . Box structure  132  may be formed from 2-inch angle iron and 2-inch box tubing, and have a hinged (e.g., a bullet hinge), latchable door  134  configured to secure/retain catwalk sections  102  when stored. Box structure  132  may be formed of numerous discrete boxes or a continuous box structure that runs the length of flatbed  54 . 
         [0058]      FIGS. 19-20  show perspective views of latchable door  134  in open and closed configurations  136 ,  138 , respectively. A manual latch  140  having any appropriate configuration may secure latchable door  134  into the closed configuration  138 . Box structure  132  and latchable door  134  may be dimensioned as appropriate to encompass/store a single catwalk section  102  or, alternatively, any number of desired catwalk sections  102 . The particular dimensions and materials described may vary as appropriate and/or necessary. 
         [0059]      FIG. 21  illustrates a side view of box structure  132 , as attached to a support I-beam  142  of base trailer  52  ( FIG. 2 ). In one embodiment, box structure  132  may be welded to the undercarriage of trailer  52 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 22  provides a flow chart depicting an exemplary method  150  of storing and transporting sucker rods using sucker rod trailer  50 . Method  150  initiates with the removal of a catwalk section  102  ( 152 ) from one of storage bins  130  suspended beneath flatbed  54  and attaching catwalk section  102  ( 154 ) adjacent to left side  60  of flatbed  54  (e.g., by engaging notches  113  of notched blocks  112  with rub rail  74 ). The steps of removing a catwalk section  102  from storage ( 152 ) and attaching catwalk section  102  adjacent to flatbed  54  may be repeated until all of catwalk sections  102  have been attached to form catwalk system  100 . 
         [0061]    Once catwalk system  100  is assembled, users may load trailer  50  with sucker rods. That is, by walking solely upon catwalk system  100 , a rig crew may manually place a first sucker rod within fluid containment area  66  ( 156 ) of trailer  50 . This step of loading a sucker rod ( 156 ) may be repeated until all the sucker rods have been loaded. Notably, by limiting human tread about trailer  50  to catwalk system  100 , users do not walk upon flatbed  54  or within fluid containment area  66  and do not risk damage to the sucker rods as they stack up within the trailer. In on embodiment, one or more rod racks may be disposed upon flatbed  54 , each being configured to separate the sucker rods from one another. 
         [0062]    After the sucker rods are loaded, removable cover  88  may be secured about protective structure  68  and flatbed  54 /fluid containment area  66  ( 158 ). Then catwalk sections  102  may be detached ( 160 ) from sides  60 ,  62  of flatbed  54  and re-stored ( 162 ) within storage bins  130  suspended beneath flatbed  54 . With the sucker rods loaded and secure, trailer  50  may be transported ( 164 ) to a different location. At any time after loading ( 156 ), excess industrial fluid shed from the sucker rods during transport or applied to the sucker rods after loading may be captured within fluid containment area  56  ( 166 ) and drained ( 168 ) for proper disposal. In addition, while the steps of method  150  are described in a particular order for exemplary purposes, they may be performed in any appropriate and/or desired order. 
         [0063]    Sucker rod trailer  50  provides features that resolve long-standing problems with sucker rod storage and maintenance. Protective structure  68  and cover  88  provide environmental protection (e.g., against moisture, humidity, extreme temperatures, etc.), and catwalk system  100  prevents rig crews from treading upon previously loaded rods. Both of these systems work to prevent corrupted, compromised threadings as well as micro fractures and nicks that can lead to premature failure of the rods. In sum, these systems also allow for safe, stable, and efficient loading, storage, and transportation procedures. Because sucker rod trailer  50  also includes a fluid containment mechanism to capture industrial fluids shed from sucker rods during loading, storage, and/or transport, fluids that have previously ended up as ground contaminants may be contained within the fluid containment area, drained, and appropriately disposed of. Use of sucker rod trailer  50  helps to ensure maximum life of sucker rods and, by association, sucker rod pumps. 
         [0064]    Although the above embodiments have been described in language that is specific to certain structures, elements, compositions, and methodological steps, it is to be understood that the technology defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures, elements, compositions and/or steps described. Rather, the specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed technology. Since many embodiments of the technology can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.