Top 10 of 17 — Lighter AeroBeam suspension

Avatar photo

There’s always a delicate balance between strength and weight, which can make it tough to shed unwanted pounds from load-carrying components.

Still, SAF-Holland has managed to shed 45 pounds from the previous generation of its CBX23 AeroBeam fixed-frame air ­suspension for weight-sensitive flatdeck and tanker applications. Weighing in at 465 pounds, it’s about 25 pounds lighter per axle than the nearest competitor, the company notes.

The suspension beams are made with a heat-treated cast alloy, 80-ksi frame brackets, and a 5.75-inch friction-welded axle that’s said to be 12% thicker than competing axles. And the trailing arms are made of treated cast alloy steel.

With multiple styles of frame brackets, the CBX23 AeroBeam can be adapted to fit an array of trailers, too.

Other Top 10 picks for the year include:

Over the Air engine programming

Paccar’s 12-speed automated transmission 

Accuride ROLLiant Hub System 

Truck-Lite’s smart trailer system 

Meritor’s high-efficiency linehaul tandem drive axle

Thermo King power management tools

Bendix’s greener air dryer cartridge

PeopleNet’s wireless backup camera

FlowBelow’s removeable fairing

 

Avatar photo

John G. Smith is Newcom Media's vice-president - editorial, and the editorial director of its trucking publications -- including Today's Trucking, trucknews.com, and Transport Routier. The award-winning journalist has covered the trucking industry since 1995.


Have your say


This is a moderated forum. Comments will no longer be published unless they are accompanied by a first and last name and a verifiable email address. (Today's Trucking will not publish or share the email address.) Profane language and content deemed to be libelous, racist, or threatening in nature will not be published under any circumstances.

*