The Meritor Tire Inflation System by PSI with ThermAlert is now the standard option for Utility trailers spec’d for automatic tire inflation systems. ThermAlert, an advanced MTIS by PSI technology, is designed to detect increased wheel-end temperatures and help alert drivers to stop for repairs before serious damage can occur. This early warning helps reduce the potential risk, cost and downtime associated with wheel loss, wheel-end failures and trailer fires.
The wheel-end heat-sensing technology of ThermAlert is being added by Utility Trailer when MTIS is installed at no additional cost to its customers. “Utility gives their customers the most value for their dollars spent on trailer equipment, and adding additional safety items like ThermAlert helps us do that,” says Craig Bennett, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Utility Trailer Manufacturing Co., based in City of Industry, Calif. “We recognize that having technology on our trailers that can reduce the incidents of trailer fires or wheel loss for our customers offers them increased value.” Utility Trailer Manufacturing Co. has been offering MTIS on its trailers since 1995 and was presented with PSI’s Customer Excellence Award in 2004.
PLM Trailer Leasing has purchased Utility Trailers equipped with MTIS and the ThermAlert option. PLM Trailer Leasing is a national refrigerated trailer solution provider dedicated to improving the capabilities of its customers. John May, manager of maintenance who is responsible for spec’ing PLM trailers, sees the addition of ThermAlert “as a help to us in meeting our promise to our customer to supply him equipment which will improve his operation. We believe ThermAlert can protect his loads and enhance on-road safety performance, which should increase his bottom line.”
PSI and ArvinMeritor developed ThermAlert after a potential fleet customer inquired about the possibility of having a wheel-end warning device that would detect excessive heat, which can cause wheel-offs or trailer fires if it is undetected. “We discussed this request and found a way to incorporate heat-sensing technology with our standard automatic tire inflation system,” says Frank Sonzala, executive vice president for San Antonio-based PSI. “The patented result gives any fleet customer the full benefits of our constant tire pressure monitoring and inflation technology with heat-sensing warning capabilities. Now Utility Trailers has made that technology a no-charge standard when fleets specify the Meritor Tire Inflation System by PSI.”
