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Four Types of Trailer Suspension

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Ifor Williams suspension plays a significant role in the construction of semi-trailers that connects the walk-through device on the chassis to the frame.The support, braking, and the force driving the semi-trailers are all handled through the suspension system.It could also lessen the effects of poor roads on vehicles, reducing shock absorption and help ensure safety of the trailer. In this article, we will present four kinds of trailer suspension that are most commonly used: Spring suspension, Airbag suspension, Bogie suspension and rigid suspension.

SPRING SUSPENSION (LEAF SPRING)

Spring suspension, also known as leaf spring.It is composed of U bolt, shackle, leaf spring etc.
Advantage:cheap,reliable and easily maintain.

Today, more than 80% of semi-trailers across Asia and Africa employ spring suspension.

Common trailer type that uses spring suspension are: skeleton trailers, flatbed trailers, fuel tanker trailers, cement bulk trailers, low bed trailer, tipper trailer, etc.

AIRBAG SUSPENSION

The most obvious characteristic in airbag suspension would be air spring in the air bag.

Advantage: Light weight, good stability

However, the cost for airbag suspension can be high.Now the majority of trailers equipped with airbag suspension are used for transporting precision instruments, tobacco and other hazardous chemical cargo.

Common trailers that employ airbag suspension like a flatbed trailer, aluminum tanker trailer, acid tanker trailer and so on.

BOGIE SENSION

Bogie suspension is a tandem Bogie suspension can be described as a tandem suspension that meets the demands of heavy transport services.
Advantage: Large payload, low maintenance cost

The road wheels of this type of suspension are independent, and their unsprung mass is less than other suspension systems.

Common trailer type that uses bogie suspensions: logging trailer, tipper trailer etc.

RIDIG SUSPENSION

An axle that is rigid is the exact other side of an independent suspension.These kinds of suspensions depend on the an adjacent wheel on a vehicle.In the case of a solid or rigid suspension, a beam or shaft is typically connected to with wheels both sides.Hence that if one wheel gets struck by potholes or bumps, another wheel also gets affected.

Advantage: Large payload

The ride height is constant regardless of whether the semi-trailer’s loading or unloading.It is best used at low speeds, due to the insufficient damping.

Common trailer type with rigid suspension Low bed trailer