Dana Corp's Commercial Vehicle Systems group has started production of its new Dana Spicer RS 40 SmartRide trailer suspension. The announcement comes in conjunction with the recent delivery of 100 new Wabash National DuraPlate HD trailers equipped with the new SmartRide suspensions and Dana Spicer TIMS (Tire Inflation and Monitor System) to Dart Transit Co of Eagan MN.
Dana's newest air ride trailer suspensions, the SmartRide RS 40 and RS 46, are available at all major dry van and reefer trailer OEMs. The suspensions were designed with Dana's proprietary shape optimization and computer analysis software, which resulted in roughly 60 pounds of weight savings, increased payloads, and improved fuel efficiency. This same computer-modeling technology allowed Dana to simultaneously maximize the strength and reliability features of the new SmartRide suspensions.
Not only is Dana offering 5¾"-diameter axle tubes, but company engineers also reduced the weight of each axle by 30 pounds compared with a traditional 5"-diameter axle. The large-diameter axle also decreases deflection by 15% to reduce tire wear and improve fuel economy.
Dana Spicer TIMS is provided as a standalone product or integrated with Bendix TABS-6 trailer ABS. TIMS has a two-solenoid manifold design that allows for non-pressurized seals and lines when not inflating tires for improved safety and maximum seal life. TIMS is available for factory and off-line installation on all makes and models of trailers manufactured in North America.
For more information, contact Roadranger Marketing, Kalamazoo MI.
