Performance Trailers, founded by Kevin Gerhardt, has established a reputation as a leader in the design and construction of custom trailers used to carry everything from racing cars to portable corporate displays. The company has designed trailers for such companies as Ford Motor Co., General Motors, which use the trailers to haul multimillion-dollar concept cars to trade shows. The business stems from a company started by Kevin's grandfather, Fred Gerhardt, who designed a lift-gate system for loading coffins into trailers. A race car driver saw the device and asked Fred to design one with a trailer so he could transport his race car. Since that time, some of the biggest names in racing including Mears, Andretti, Pro Circuit, and Steve Lewis from 9 Racing have used Performance Trailers for their trailer design.