Meritor WABCO has introduced an enhanced version of its Roll Stability Support (RSS) trailer stability system which the company says boasts more advanced features and added value.

RSSplus builds on the company’s current offering but has been specifically engineered for the North American marketplace and offers increased functionality. The new system will be available through trailer OEMs late in the first quarter of 2008 and also as an aftermarket retrofit.

Meritor WABCO currently has about 4,000 RSS units on the road. The system detects when a rollover is imminent and takes preventive action, such as applying the necessary braking pressure to each individual wheel-end.

“As pioneers of this significant technology, we are pleased to be bringing the next echelon of trailer stability capabilities to the marketplace at a more reasonable cost,” said Jon Morrison, president and general manager of Meritor WABCO Vehicle Control Systems. “With the largest population of trailer stability systems in place today, this new system is the culmination of valuable customer feedback and the work of our industry- leading engineering teams.”

While OEMs will ultimately set the price, the RSSplus system is expected to cost end-users between US$700-$900. But that includes the cost of the ABS system, Meritor WABCO representatives pointed out. Retrofits will likely cost about US$1,400-$1,500, the company said, provided the trailer wheels are already equipped with ABS sensors.

The RSSplus stability system offers improved roll mitigation, according to officials. It also offers simplified installation and advanced communications capabilities through on-board data recording. Events such as interventions, can be communicated via the Power Line Carrier (PLC) communications system. RSSplus can now also be used on trailers with both spring and air-ride suspensions.

Troubleshooting is also easier with the new system, the company says, thanks to the use of standardized SAE diagnostics. Standard blink codes can be used to diagnose problems, and the system is also compatible with Meritor WABCO’s TOOLBOX PC software.

The PLC capability allows the system to communicate with the driver via the truck’s PLC display. Owners can also use telematics devices to communicate data. Some of the data that can now be shared include: suspension weight; tire pressures; and wheel-end temperatures.

“These features provide the additional support expected form a stability system, plus offer added value for the customer’s operation,” explained Bob Sibley, director, Meritor WABCO trailer products.

The enhanced trailer stability system is well-suited for dry van, reefer, flatdeck, tanker, HazMat and B-train applications, the company announced. It does not yet support long combination vehicle (LCV) configurations. RSSplus is backward-compatible so it can be easily retrofitted on a fleet’s existing trailers.