Phillips Industries says its Sta-Dry Tracker is an innovation in electrical sockets “that will significantly upgrade and improve the connection between the tractor and trailer, saving fleets downtime and money.”

As well, the company has also introduced corrosion-blocking Sta-Dry Weather-Tite connectors, seven-way male connector plugs with integrated seals that stop moisture from entering the electrical system. They’ll be available in July.

Phillips explains the swivelling ­nosebox this way: when a truck/trailer combination has to move in tandem into a tight space, creating a severe angle between them, there’s a good chance of expensive and time-consuming damage to air and electrical cables, the nosebox, connectors, and gladhands. Simply increasing cable length to account for this is not a good option – each added foot of cable adds cost, plus a sagging cable that will rub on the deck plate.

The Sta-Dry Tracker will allow the cable to simply follow the movement of the truck. It will accommodate a turn up to 80 degrees (40 degrees left or 40 degrees right) and will automatically ­disconnect if the turn exceeds that angle, which is unlikely. Phillips figures it will save fleets money with only a minor modification to their equipment, paying for itself “over and over again.” It comes with a three-year warranty.

See phillipsind.com for more.