ArvinMeritor’s Commercial Vehicle Systems is planning a series of changes to its RideStar RHP trailer air suspension system.

The RHP will evolve into the RXP, a trailer air suspension designed to combine current RHP features with increased durability and lighter weight to address the needs of weight-sensitive customers, such as refrigerated trailer users.

The RHP will evolve into the RXP in phases, with each new component introduced as a running change to the RHP, and being compatible with existing RHP systems. The product will only be designated the RXP with the completion of the final phase, the optimized slider. Most changes are targeted for introduction by the end of 2004, with OEM availability at that time.

"For extra strength and resistance to impact and fatigue, we’ve optimized the suspension’s slider with integrated lateral plates and we’ve protected the pin mechanism with additional cross members," said Jim Sharkey, business unit director, North American Trailer Systems, for ArvinMeritor. "We’ve also moved the pin handle to the front of the suspension for easy access."

Meanwhile, Meritor WABCO Vehicle Control Systems’ Roll Stability Control (RSC) for tractors and trucks has been awarded the 2003 Technical Achievement Award from the Truck Writers of North America (TWNA).

The system is designed to provide intervention to help prevent a rollover situation. The RSC system focuses on a vehicle’s center of gravity and the lateral acceleration limit or rollover threshold. When that limit is reached, the system intervenes to slow the vehicle by controlling the engine, retarder and automatically activating the drive axle and trailer brakes. An accelerometer mounted directly to the anti-lock braking system (ABS) electronic control unit (ECU) monitors the vehicle’s lateral acceleration. RSC constantly monitors driving conditions and intervenes if critical lateral acceleration is detected.

TWNA is a national organization of professional journalists involved in writing and reporting news and information about trucks and trucking. The TWNA Technical Achievement Award recognizes significant new products and services to the commercial vehicle industry and has been presented for ten years. ArvinMeritor also received the award in 2001 for its ZF Meritor FreedomLine transmission.
Meritor WABCO Vehicle Control Systems is also releasing its TOOLBOX Software Version 5.01, which offers enhanced anti-lock braking system (ABS) diagnostic capabilities.

The software is a PC-based diagnostics program that provides technicians with information such as:

– A display of both constant and changing information for the system under test (e.g. ECU number and RPMs, respectively.
– A display of both active and stored system faults, as well as the appropriate repair instructions.
– Activation of system components to verify system integrity, proper component operation and installation wiring.

One of the most important improvements to the software is the ability to download future revisions from an FTP site. This will allow for easier, more timely access to upgrades. For users who cannot access an FTP site, the revisions will also be available on disc.