From improved air springs to lighter systems, here are the suspension and steering updates from OEMs and aftermarket providers that are guiding the industry in the right direction.
Engines get all the attention—and certainly they pull their weight and then some—but it’s the tractors and trailers’ suspension system that carry the burden of everything above them, while also absorbing all the bumps and potholes below. And don’t forget about the steering systems, without which all that power generated by the engine might not go where the driver intends.
Maybe we overlook these systems because, aside from the steering wheel, you can’t readily see the components. But there are innovations and improvement happening all the time, so we caught up with some of the biggest names and newest players in suspension and steering systems for commercial vehicles to discuss how their latest products are providing fleets with what they need to improve driver performance, extend component longevity, and simplify maintenance.
Gregg Wartgow is a freelancer who Fleet Maintenance has relied upon for many years, writing about virtually any trucking topic. He lives in Brodhead, Wisconsin.
