LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems revealed the development of the TABS-6 Stability System for trailers, a high-performance electronic stability technology specifically designed for a broad range of trailer types and configurations.

Bendix made the announcement during the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Ky. on March 21 with an availability date anticipated for early 2008.

Bendix TABS-6 Stability System for trailers is a roll-stability, ABS-based technology, which replaces the companys current TEBS-4 trailer stability system.

With this advancement, Bendix continues to extend its active safety solutions from the power unit to the trailer, said Kevin Romanchok, Bendix product line director electronics.

The Bendix TABS-6 Stability System for trailers is compatible with single, double and multiple axle configurations, as well as trailer dollies. It works with multiple ABS configurations, from two-sensor, two-modulator (2S/2M) up to 6S/3M configurations.

The system functions with electrical power configurations from 8-volt to 32-volt systems with no need for an external power converter. The system also includes a PLC circuit, which eliminates the need for a remote PLC device.

A trailer information module (TIM G2) is also available with this new system. The module can collect and store information such as mileage, trip distance, service interval status, brake diagnostics and stability events.
Our customers have emphasized the importance of information, simplification and flexibility, along with performance in our new systems both for tractor and trailer, noted Romanchok. The new Bendix TABS-6 Stability System for Trailers, along with future systems, will deliver on these tenets for both OEs and fleets.

The TABS-6 platform has been a primary driver of the Bendix trailer business, which experienced incremental growth of more than 40% year over year during the past two years.

This growth is due to a renewed emphasis by Bendix toward its trailer product offerings, aimed at providing highly effective and efficient solutions and full system coverage for a broad range of trailer applications.

Bendix also revealed a number of trailer manufacturers have added the system as standard equipment on their products.

Lufkin Industries will integrate the Bendix TABS-6 as standard equipment on select new trailers, starting in 2007.

Lufkin designs and manufactures many different sizes of platforms, drop frames and high-capacity lightweight dump trailers, producing approximately 4,000 trailer units annually.

For more than 65 years, Lufkin trailers have been known for their reliability, innovative design, and overall value qualities that align well with Bendix and its trailer ABS technology, said Rob Maharrey, chief engineer with Lufkins trailer division. Were pleased to work with Bendix and are confident that our customers will truly benefit from this relationship.

Vanguard National Trailer will feature the Bendix TABS-6, as well as the Bendix Cyclone DuraDrain trailer water separator, on the VXP Decade show trailer.

The VXP Decade, which is designed to operate for 10 years virtually maintenance-free, was built in response to a call for extended-life and longer- warranty trailers. The Decade was unveiled in February at the TMC annual meeting.

As well, Vanguard has added the Bendix ASA-5 automatic slack adjuster as standard equipment on all new dry van trailer models, which began in December 2006.

Were confident that the Bendix automatic slack adjuster will perform to the rigorous standards that our customers demand in terms of quality and reliability, said Ken Huff, purchasing manager with Vanguard Trailer. At Vanguard were committed to offering premium components such as the Bendix ASA-5 as standard equipment that are proven to provide substantially longer trailer life.

The Bendix ASA-5 slack adjuster is designed for use on cam actuated drum brakes. Its clearance-sensing design adjusts on brake application, making it less prone to over-adjustment and less sensitive to varying temperatures and duty cycles than stroke-sensing designs.