Axles and such...

[till]

Talked to Henry today.
Looks like I will be draggin one of the old Ambassador axles out to him for a little "copy" magic.
I like this whole thing very much Karma for you, Lou when I am allowed again.

[Anon]

Thanks for the kudos, even if you cannot give me karma!
Once he has an Ambassador axle that will make it much easier to make even more of them!
I have a lot of faith in Henry AND Axis Products. I think I have stumbled onto something good for all of us.

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by pattersontoo

C.T. is working on that right here in Auburn Hills, MI. They have a huge testing facility.
I keep forgetting that I have a trade publication that is distributed here in the Auto Capitol of the World. One copy I have has a blurb about this in it. It has a couple drawings and stuff in it too. I will dig around my office and get it scanned. It is going to revolutionize trailer towing. At least that is what they say in the article.
If there is interest in this article I will see what I can find out. I have a friend that is working on a different project at C.T. He can get more information.

If it can be done, it would eliminate all manner of towing-related problems. It could virtually eliminate sway, increase tire life, as the tires would not get flat spots from skidding and have to be replaced, there would be almost no more jacknifing issues, towing during slick weather would be much safer.

[markdoane]

Lou,

Really would like more info on the C.T. system in the Toureg. I assume it detects sway at the back of the tow vehicle, and applies just enough alternating brake action (on the tow vehicle, not the trailer) to counter the sway. Works in conjunction with dynamic vehicle stability system that is getting more and more popular.

What I'd really like to know about are the Electronic brake systems that use a DC positioner to actuate brake caliper. Can you find out from your friend when they will be available? I know they will need 42Vdc, so it may be a few years or more.

Thanks. Sending you some K.

[Anon]

Originally Posted by markdoane

Lou,

Really would like more info on the C.T. system in the Toureg. I assume it detects sway at the back of the tow vehicle, and applies just enough alternating brake action (on the tow vehicle, not the trailer) to counter the sway. Works in conjunction with dynamic vehicle stability system that is getting more and more popular.

What I'd really like to know about are the Electronic brake systems that use a DC positioner to actuate brake caliper. Can you find out from your friend when they will be available? I know they will need 42Vdc, so it may be a few years or more.

Thanks. Sending you some K.

Thanks, buddy! I will return the favor.
I did not work this week. Had some personal time I had to burn before the end of the month. I will dig around in my office tomorrow. It was back a few months ago that I came across the article.
I am going to be seeing my buddy sometime next week. I have an appointment next week at C.T. and I will being doing lunch with him. I will hit him up then. Be sure to remind me as I will forget.

[markdoane]

Lou,

Here is the web site: http://www.conti-online.com/generato...2_0602_en.html

The first item (EHB) is similar to the Actibrake device. What i'm interested in is the time horizon for the Electro Mechanical brake (EMB), the second item.

Thanks again.

[Anon]

I will check into it next week, partner.
It is a cool idea, you know?

[markdoane]

Imagine what you could do if the trailer brakes were fully integrated with the tow vehicle, and a yaw rate and lateral g' sensor? All you would need to do is flip a switch on the dashboard!

[john hd]

i hate to break the news to you guys, but airstream beat ya to it!

when a buddy of mine and i were digging around in the front of his trailer we found the remainder of a "trailer anti sway device" under the front couch.

it was ment to apply the trailer brakes on each side independantly during a sway episode. i have now idea how it worked or if it even worked because it was disconnected.

i have no knowledge if it was factory or aftermarket. the trailer is a 74 excella.

perhaps andy could shed some light on the subject....

john

[Anon]

What we are talking about is on the tow vehicle.
I know that the ultimate guy to ask is a service tech I am familiar with at Airstream. He will be able to difinitively answer the question of whether it was an Airstream option or not.

[john hd]

lou

let us know, anything is possible. those excellas had everything from central vaccums to bargeman safes! not to mention the propane powered onan generators!

john

[Anon]

They sure did have everything! Nothing surprises me.
I have to call Airstream Tech Support on Monday anyway. I will ask my contact if it was an option.
As for the stuff the C.T. is working on, I will see if they have any press releases.

[axleman]

Originally Posted by john hd

i hate to break the news to you guys, but airstream beat ya to it!

when a buddy of mine and i were digging around in the front of his trailer we found the remainder of a "trailer anti sway device" under the front couch.

it was ment to apply the trailer brakes on each side independantly during a sway episode. i have now idea how it worked or if it even worked because it was disconnected.

i have no knowledge if it was factory or aftermarket. the trailer is a 74 excella.

perhaps andy could shed some light on the subject....

john

John,



I am very interested in knowing more about this “device”. Could you add some more details? What did it look like, any identifying markings, etc…?



Thanks,

Henry

[john hd]

henry

i'll have to ask my buddy to look and see if there is any identification left. it has been a while since i saw it, it could very well been tossed during the remodel.

my impression was that it used some sort of pendulum that swung side to side and completed an electrical circuit.

i wonder if a patent search would reveal anything?

john

[Silvertwinkie]

Dunno what all the hubub was about...must have missed it.... but I for one enjoy Lou's posts, particularly the one on axles...though I am not in the market for one, the place that did his axle seem to be on top of it. In the very short time I've gotten to know Lou (as good as someone can on a forum), I've found his posts and PMs to be really great.....keep it up.

Axleman too has appeared to me to have some good info out there as well. I may be wrong, but Axleman is the person who did Lou's axle and I was impressed with the whole process.

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by john hd

i hate to break the news to you guys, but airstream beat ya to it!

when a buddy of mine and i were digging around in the front of his trailer we found the remainder of a "trailer anti sway device" under the front couch.

it was ment to apply the trailer brakes on each side independantly during a sway episode. i have now idea how it worked or if it even worked because it was disconnected.

i have no knowledge if it was factory or aftermarket. the trailer is a 74 excella.

perhaps andy could shed some light on the subject....

john

John,
It was factory installed in at least some units, there is reference to it in the chassis section of my service manual, it was called a Tru Track Electric Sway Control, it says that it would momentarily apply trailer brakes in the event of an abrupt movement....and if it was working too much you had an ustable rig there was also an indicator light for the dash, other than that there is no information...FWIW it should have 3 wires coming out of it...

Aaron

[Anon]

Eric,
Thanks for the vote of confidence. I too have enjoyed our PM's.
I try to post information that we all can use. I try to keep my posts relative to the topic as well. Considering, it costs money for everything we do to these bauxite boxes then that has been my forte'.
Ever since I became active on here again, I have received "fan mail" as a result of my efforts!
The axle topic has been important to me because I had put off buying one due to the expense involved. When I contacted Henry, he told me that he would have no problem supplying an axle for it. It would most likely be in the $300 range. That was well within my budget, so he got the business. Once I saw the quality of his work I figured I would share it with the forums. Now I want to let all of us share what we learn about axles, brakes and running gear. Nothing beats "pooled experience".
I thoroughly enjoy all of the interaction on here.

[axleman]

Originally Posted by john hd

henry

i'll have to ask my buddy to look and see if there is any identification left. it has been a while since i saw it, it could very well been tossed during the remodel.

my impression was that it used some sort of pendulum that swung side to side and completed an electrical circuit.

i wonder if a patent search would reveal anything?

john

John,



Is Aaron from post #36 your buddy, or just someone else familiar whit this device? I looked on the web for “Tru Track Electric Sway Control” and did not see much. This thing intrigues me . I have not tried the patent search yet, but I plan to.



Regards,

Henry

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by axleman

John,



Is Aaron from post #36 your buddy, or just someone else familiar whit this device? I looked on the web for “Tru Track Electric Sway Control” and did not see much. This thing intrigues me . I have not tried the patent search yet, but I plan to.



Regards,

Henry

Hi Henry,
I am not the buddy John was refering to I have a 1975 31' that will be in need of your services...eventually. I have never seen the device, but I do have a 1975 Service manual that has the brief description in it. I will keep my eyes out for one, and if I can get my hands on one, I will let you all know. Maybe we can dissect it and see what it is made of From the description in the manual, I suspect it applied all the trailer brakes at one time to help reduce sway, kind of the same affect you would get by tapping the brake controller manual switch in the same situation.

Aaron

[gotair]

Axleman too has appeared to me to have some good info out there as well. I may be wrong, but Axleman is the person who did Lou's axle and I was impressed with the whole process.