First Combitrailer with RTS-E steered axles

Friday, August 19, 2011 At Gorinchem we will present to you the first D-TEC Combitrailer® with two RTS-E steered axles. The 1st and 4th axles are fitted with the RTS-E steering system of VSE.  RTS-E is a patented, revolutionary steering system for a self-steering axle. Self-steering axles (or steerable axles) are self-steering when moving forward, but are blocked with air pressure or lifted when driving backwards.  The new RTS-E system ensures that a steerable axle is forced to steer when driving backwards. While driving backwards a sensor in the kingpin measure the angular displacement between the tractor and the trailer. This signal is processed by an electronic unit that controls the air valves. These valve ensure that the left or right wheel of the steerable axle is braked slightly, which means that the steerable axle will automatically steer in the correct direction. The system has no pump or batteries.  While driving forward, the RTS-E system does nothing and the steerable axle steers in the normal manner, by means of friction between the tyre and the road surface.  When applied to the D-TEC Combitrailer® the front axles not longer need to be lifted and the rear no longer need to be blocked when driving in reverse. We also succeeded in slightly increasing the steering angle of these axles. The benefits of this are better manoeuvrability, less tyre wear and lower fuel consumption. Video