ArvinMeritor Inc. on Wednesday, May 5, unveiled an all-new series of durable trailing-arm air ride trailer suspensions to meet the needs of North American truck-trailer operators in vocational markets – including platform, tank, grain, dump, chassis, bulk, specialty, lowboy, livestock and specialty vans. The Meritor Trailing-Arm Air (MTA) suspension series was introduced at the company’s U.S. trailer products manufacturing facility in Frankfort, Ky., to industry journalists and key OEM customers.
The MTA series of top-mount and low-mount models completes the company’s lineup of air suspension solutions. Final customer integration and manufacturing readiness – on the first model, the MTA23 – continues through summer, with production launch in fall 2010. “We are focused on and committed to providing only the highest-quality suspensions,” says Craig Frohock, general manager of Trailer Products for ArvinMeritor. “Over the coming months, we’ll work closely with our customers, our supply chain and our manufacturing and quality teams to ensure flawless delivery and product performance for our customers.”
The five subsequent models will be unveiled in the last quarter of the year and through summer 2011. The company says the suspension series features three technology advancements with distinct operational benefits:
• Patented pivot bushing that absorbs road input, resulting in a softer ride, more cargo protection and reduced torsional stress on the vehicle’s structure. Patented steel interleaf shims in the bushing provide improved fore-aft stiffness aiding in dynamic axle alignment, better tire wear and controlled roll steer;
• Larger, more robust shock absorbers specifically tuned to Meritor suspension with more damping power. A larger bore design provides greater suspension control and more consistent tire contact with the ground, reducing tire tread wear, improved braking and enhanced handling; and
• A patent-pending axle wrap design for a secure and durable axle connection that also contributes to superior suspension durability, according to company engineers.
The integrated design includes Meritor trailer axles and brakes and is available with Q Plus cam or air disc brakes, automatic slack adjusters, the SteelLite X30 drum and lightweight hub, and the MTIS (Meritor Tire Inflation System) by PSI. “This new suspension series provides customers an engineering-proven solution in our suspensions portfolio,” Frohock says. “Our track record of serving OE and fleet customers with specifications, quality manufacturing and ‘after the sale’ support is unsurpassed. It’s another way we can help provide our customers with superior suspension technology and reliability.”
The suspension offers a five-year 500,000-mile warranty. “We’ve listened closely to our customers,” Frohock says. “The time is right, the technology is honed and proven, and as our customers consider purchasing and specifying trailers, they must closely consider the Meritor MTA series suspension.”
The company’s district managers located across the United States and Canada will assist fleets and dealers with specifications, technical support, and training and service of the new trailer suspension series. For after-the-sale support, the company’s Aftermarket business, complete with parts inventory and service specialists in Florence, Ky., and Brampton, Ontario, is prepared to supply the aftermarket channels with comprehensive service parts to support the new suspension for minimal downtime and maximum operating time.
