Truck-Lite updates control unit for Road Ready system

Updated Mar 21, 2019

Truck-Lite introduced the second generation of its Road Ready telematics system Tuesday during a press conference at ATA’s Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) Annual Meeting in Atlanta.

Rob Richard, general manager, Truck-Lite’s Road Ready business division, led the event and says the biggest advancement of the second-generation system is an updated master control unit (MCU). After being hardwire exclusive on the first-generation, the updated MCU is now available as a smaller hardwired or solar option.

Richard says the solar-powered MCU mounts on the front of a trailer, with the solar panel on top, providing a significantly reduced profile and lowering the clearance needed with a first-generation system. The hardwired version allows the MCU to be wired directly to blue line power through the trailer’s nosebox, which charges the battery with power from the tractor.

Richard says each version communicates with Road Ready’s wireless sensor network and features the same long-life battery, which allows for untethered trailer monitoring for up to 60 days without a charge. The Road Ready system also is compatible with many other trailer solutions, including products from STEMCO, PSI, Hendrickson and more.

“These advancements were made in order to cater to diversified fleets that utilize multiple trailer types in addition to dry vans, such as tankers, flatbeds, chassis and containers,” says Richard. “The modular design of today’s MCU allows it to adapt to a variety of applications based on a customer’s needs.