NASHVILLE, TN. Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems has shown a number of new products this week at the Technology and Maintenance Council’s annual meeting in Nashville.
The company is displaying a new trailer information module, SmarTire TPMS, and an advanced stability system.
The new trailer information module is a stand-alone system that offers comprehensive access to key trailer data, the company said. It provides critical information about trailer safety and operational systems through simple three-button navigation system.
“The trailer information module (TIM) is another asset fleets can use to keep trailers on the road and operating safely,” said T.J. Thomas, director of marketing and customer solutions, Controls group. “This stand-alone module is attached to the trailer and allows a driver or technician to quickly troubleshoot trailer ABS or pull valuable information, such as ABS brake and roll stability system diagnostics, mileage, and service interval status, without the use of additional tools.”
The module allows a user to view the trailer’s roll-stability system interventions, axle load, ECU test capability, and a real-time clock. It can be mounted almost anywhere on a trailer and is designed for use with Bendix TABS-6 Advanced and Bendix TABS-6 Advanced MC stability systems for trailers. On trailers equipped with a J1939 version of the SmarTire Trailer-Link tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) by Bendix CVS, the Bendix Trailer Information Module will also provide tire pressure and temperature data.
If a trailer problem develops on the road, the TIM provides the driver with quick access to diagnostic codes, allowing for phone consultation with technicians to resolve the issue. Fleet maintenance teams can also customize the module to their specific service schedules by programming it to count down a set number of miles driven before delivering a service alert.
Bendix’s SmarTire TPMS now offers trailer wheel-end monitoring and integration with Bendix’s SafetyDirect system.
The Trailer-Link TPMS wirelessly transmits alerts, pressure and temperature information for trailers directly to the tractor and is displayed on the SmarTire TPMS dash gauge or integrated vehicle cluster. It is available to OE trailer manufacturers and as an aftermarket retrofit kit. A typical kit consists of eight wheel sensors, harnessing, and a wireless receiver.
SmarTire TPMS allows drivers to view real-time tire alerts, pressure or temperature data via an in-vehicle display or integrated OEM dashboard. In addition, fleet operators can now view the same alert, pressure and temperature information remotely using the secure SafetyDirect portal.
Bendix has also improved its TABS-6 advanced roll stability system with new spring-ride suspension compatibility.
The system combines antilock braking (ABS) with a set of trailer sensors which monitor stability and can quickly and automatically trigger braking interventions when conditions that may lead to a rollover are detected. Available in single-channel (SC) and multi-channel (MC) configurations, TABS-6 delivers solutions suitable for a variety of fleet needs, Bendix said.
Bendix TABS-6 Advanced is now compatible with most spring-ride suspensions and remains available for most air-ride suspensions.
The TABS-6 advanced system can work with a variety of trailer electrical requirements, handling between 8 and 32 volts without a separate power converter. Custom applications such as automatic trailer axle air suspension dump control are also available, the company said.
