Peterbilt, Denton, Tex., introduced the Flex Air tandem air suspension with the lowest installed weight of any comparable suspension. The Flex Air, rated at 38,000 pounds, features a new revolutionary design Peterbilt says will provide a best in class ride while maintaining superior roll stiffness and articulation. The installed weight of the suspension is 400 pounds lighter than the current Peterbilt Low Air Leaf. This lower weight can result in greater payload and profit potential for Peterbilt customers.
The heart of the new suspension is a weight efficient structure that consists of a very stiff but lightweight aluminum beam. At one end of the beam is a small semi-elliptical taper leaf spring and at the other end of the beam is the air spring. Aluminum shock absorber brackets and extruded air spring support beams further trim the weight of the package.