X

HP Only

HP Only

X

TIREMAAX® PRO & CP

TIREMAAX PRO & CP

TIREMAAX PRO & CP

* Contact your local Hendrickson representative for complete warranty terms, conditions and limitations.
** Spec’ing TIREMAAX does not affect wheel-end package warranty. TIREMAAX warranty matches the wheel-end package warranty.

UNDERSTANDING AIR SUSPENSIONS

23

UNDERSTANDING

Brake Efficiency
In the North American market, rapidly advancing vehicle
technology enables tractors and trailers to become increasingly
aerodynamic and more fuel-efficient. Simultaneously, the
economic realities of the trucking industry lead fleets to
demand reductions in periodic maintenance and elimination
of major maintenance issues.
As fleets and owner operators strive to increase vehicle
efficiency and reduce maintenance costs, they must remember
that improvements in one area can reveal weaknesses or
inefficiencies in another or hinder overall system performance.

In vehicle braking systems, the very factors that dramatically
increase vehicle performance also cause brake workloads to
increase substantially.
While they may have more than 75 years of design heritage,
today’s S-cam foundation brake system must “work harder”
to meet the demands of modern trailers by more efficiently
utilizing air system capacity and maximizing available air
chamber actuation stroke. The future holds even greater
changes for the vehicle braking system as new regulations
and technologies shape the demands of vehicle designs.

THE HENDRICKSON ADVANTAGE
Since 1995, Hendrickson has delivered more than a
million brakes to satisfied customers on our INTRAAX®
and VANTRAAX® systems. We back all our brakes with
extensive performance tests and heavy wear test data.
Hendrickson stands ready to assist OEMs and fleets
to choose the right braking solution.
At the heart of our advanced
S-cam brake design, a sophisticated
manufacturing process provides
extremely accurate centering of the
foundation brake spider to the axle.
This results in stable, repeatable
brake torque from wheel-end
to wheel-end.
Our forged spider design
adds material only where
needed and removes it where it is not.
This results in a best-in-class lightweight
spider with excellent structural characteristics.
HXS® Hendrickson Extended Service™ brake shoes
optimize geometry to further improve brake balance.
Our crown geometry maintains consistent and balanced

24

brake torque on both sides of the axle during the
break-in period.
HXS brake shoes use .313-inch thick steel webs with
heat-treated roller and anchor pins slots for durability
and dimensional stability over the life of the shoe.
E-coat paint helps prevent rust jacking.
To eliminate wasted deflection in the actuator
support system, Hendrickson’s unique, air
chamber bracket comes integrally welded
to the suspension trailing arm, which also
incorporates a rigid inboard cam support.
Besides having very low deflection, the
Hendrickson design eliminates the air
chamber bracket and cam support welds
on the axles — points where other axles
commonly fail.
Our patented integrated suspension beam / brake
connection allows for a shorter camshaft that results
in less twisting deflection. This means a shorter
brake stroke generates the required braking force.

AIR SUSPENSIONS
Other benefits of reduced brake stroke include:
• Less air consumption during ABS actuation
• Faster application and release times
• More efficient actuation geometry under high-brake
application pressures
• Enhanced brake reserve when operating in
mountainous terrain
• Increased brake reserve during burnishing-in period for
new linings
• Maintaining brake adjustment longer — helps avoid
out-of-adjustment traffic citations
­ endrickson integrated brake systems come in a variety
H
of models and options that can be tailored to the needs
of each fleet. These include:
16.5- × 7-inch standard
Available with many industry-standard lining
materials, the standard brake is our robust basic
performance product.

Building on a Solid Foundation
To complete the best trailer braking system on the market
today, Hendrickson also offers a full line of automatic
slack adjuster and air chamber options. Of special note
are long-stroke chambers, which allow end users and
fleets to achieve the maximum stroke reserve available
in the industry.
For additional information:

Consolidated Certificate of Compliance for
Air Actuated Brakes — L809
E-coat brochure — L1205
Download current literature at www.hendrickson-intl.com

16.5- × 7-inch HXS®
The extended service brake of choice for trucking
professionals, HXS brakes may be spec’d with
industry accepted long-life lining materials.

­­

Hendrickson’s wide HXS brakes provide 11 percent
more wearable lining volume than competitors’
16.5- × 8.625-inch wide brake. Wide HXS brakes
may be spec’d with industry accepted long-life
lining materials.
16.5- x 8.625-inch wide HXS
Hendrickson’s wide HXS brakes advance extended
service. Offering 58 percent more wearable lining
volume and 23 percent greater swept area than
standard brakes, 16.5- x 8.625-inch HXS brakes
dramatically extend lining life.
15- x 8.25-inch wide HXS
Engineered specifically for low-ride height
applications such as furniture vans and car
haulers, Hendrickson’s 15- × 8.625-inch
wide HXS brakes work with 19.5-inch wheels.

UNDERSTANDING AIR SUSPENSIONS

25

UNDERSTANDING

Vehicle Controls
As integrated air suspension systems become more complex,
fleets and owner operators seek effective tractor-trailer
pneumatic and electronic control mechanisms to take full
advantage of system capabilities. Hendrickson offers an
array of controls including height control valves, manual
dump valves and lift axle controls.

In addition to these controls, many haulers want devices to
check trailer load weight; conveniently release slider pins;
and automatically or remotely trigger lift axles, dump valves
and warning devices.

THE HENDRICKSON ADVANTAGE
Hendrickson delivers an array of vehicle control devices to
customize suspension operations for specific requirements
of fleets and owner operators.
Two popular devices from Hendrickson are the Automatic
Lift Axle Control Kit and an automatic Back-up Alarm
System. Both exemplify innovative approaches to solving
industry concerns.
The Automatic Lift Axle Control helps Canadian haulers
comply with infrastructure-friendly regulations and eliminates

the operator’s role in raising and lowering self-steering
trailer lift axles. It triggers the axle lift mechanism when
the trailer travels rearward and starts the axle dropping
with forward movement.
Compatible with any lift mechanism equipped with an
electro-pneumatic control, the device’s wheel-end sensor
reads the ABS tone ring, triggering after three feet of
rearward travel to activate the lift mechanism. Eighty
feet of forward travel automatically keys the lowering
of the axle.

Moving forward 80 ft.
automatically triggers
lowering of the axle.

The Automatic Lift Axle
Control eliminates the
operator’s role in raising
and lowering self-steering
trailer lift axles.

26

Moving in reverse
3 ft. automatically
keys lifting of the
axle.

AIR SUSPENSIONS
Hendrickson’s automatic trailer Back-up Alarm System
helps improve awareness of backward vehicle movement
in areas of limited maneuverability and visibility. The
easy-to-install, stand-alone, automatic system requires
no communication with the tractor.

For additional information:

The automatic trailer Back-up Alarm System helps
improve awareness of backward vehicle movement
in areas of limited maneuverability and visibility.

Controls Parts Catalog — L1182
Download current literature at www.hendrickson-intl.com

With rearward trailer movement, the system activates
a very loud warning sound to alert bystanders and
other drivers that the vehicle is moving in reverse.
This can be beneficial in areas such as crosswalks
and congested dock operations.

Hendrickson Vehicle Controls
Simple, effective solutions for trailer electronic and pneumatic control needs

Manual Lift Axle
Control

Automatic
Lift Axle
Control

Height Control
and Dump
Valves

Tire Inflation
Systems

Back-up
Alarm

UNDERSTANDING AIR SUSPENSIONS

27

UNDERSTANDING

Aftermarket
Like most industries, heavy-duty transportation struggles
with hit-and-miss aftermarket component manufacturers.
Be it toasters, lawnmowers, automobiles or Class 8 rigs,
the respective aftermarkets are full of look-alike and
knock-off repair parts, many of poor quality.
Knock-offs often attract customers with cheaper pricing
than components manufactured and distributed by
OEMs. That cost savings can evaporate quickly if the
look-alike part does not fit correctly. Using look-alike
parts can cause suspension components to fail prematurely,

which increases labor time and produces unexpected
downtime.
Ill-fitting replacement components may also minimize
the performance of original equipment or degrade
overall wear and reliability, increasing costs. OEMs
support equipment with OE specified parts and
equitable warranties. Use of knock-off parts and
components, in many cases, can void equipment
warranty.

THE HENDRICKSON ADVANTAGE
Over the decades,
Hendrickson has
manufactured hundreds
of thousands of air
suspensions and integrated suspension,
axle and brake systems
for trailers. Suspensions
are designed using
quality components and submit those components to
rigorous testing and stand behind Hendrickson Genuine
Parts, just as we stand behind our suspension systems.
Air springs, shocks,
bushings, axles, brake
systems and air controls
— all our components
function in unison to
provide superior system
performance. Insisting on
Hendrickson Genuine Parts
ensures the continued reliability and performance you have
come to expect from Hendrickson.

28

For example, differences in air spring piston design, flex
member length and overall dimensions may not be obvious
but are critical to performance. Other critical dimensions
not readily visible include variations in internal bumpers
and flex member bias angles.
Hendrickson pioneered the use of a single, large-diameter
bushings in air suspensions with our original TRI-FUNCTIONAL®
Bushing. Unique void designs and material composition
remain critical to maintaining outstanding performance
on the road.

TRI-FUNCTIONAL® Bushings

AIR SUSPENSIONS
With INTRAAX®, Hendrickson introduced a more efficient
brake system using beam-mounted hardware and shorter
S-cams. In addition to standard brakes, we offer HXS®
Hendrickson Extended Service™ brake shoes to enhance
lining life while optimizing geometry and further improving
brake balance (see page 22).
Hendrickson designs shocks with
specific strokes, seal designs, bore
diameters and damping characteristics
to enhance suspension system
performance. A shock with too
short a stroke may cause mounting
clevises or trailer cross member damage; too long a stroke can
cause overextension of the system and damaged air springs.
The aftermarket list goes on and on — the unique QUIK-ALIGN®
pivot connection with a specially developed shear type bolt is
another component that is specifically designed to work with air
suspension systems. Look-alike parts could result in insufficient
torque.
Insist on Hendrickson Genuine Parts to maximize uptime and
minimize your operation costs.

Hendrickson HCV aftermarket kits
• VS-227 replacement HCV fits all trailer air suspensions
excluding ULTRAA-K® axle / suspension air slider systems
regardless of make, model or year.
• VS-33704-3 replacement HCV fits ULTRAA-K models

For additional information:
Hendrickson Genuine Parts — L595
Genuine Parts Flyer, Air Spring — L1019
Genuine Parts Flyer, Shocks — L1020
Cam Tube System Flyer — L1214
HCV Brochure — L1024
Download current literature at www.hendrickson-intl.com

UNDERSTANDING AIR SUSPENSIONS

29

TRAILER

UNDERSTANDING

Air Suspension Slider Systems
Benefits
• VANTRAAX® combines the advantages of INTRAAX®
with the patented K-2® slider box

• 10-year limited warranty* on axle/beam connection

• Low maintenance

• Broad mix-and-match RTR® READY-TO-ROLL® offerings
let you customize your running gear to meet your
specific requirements

• Cam Tube System for trailer brake systems
™

• TRI-FUNCTIONAL® bushings — proven technology
for mile after mile of trouble-free service
• Neutral-toe axle — improved mileage and tire life
• Advanced axle wrap and window weld for optimal
structural integrity

• 5-year limited structural warranty*

• Single source for comprehensive technical support,
training and warranty
* Contact your local Hendrickson representative for complete warranty
terms, conditions and limitations

ULTRAA-K

®

UTKNT 40K

Lightweight tandem air slider technology
• Application: Refrigerated and vans
• System capacity: 40,000 pounds
• Ride height: 16 inches
• Box widths: 48 inches
• Axle spread: Standard 49-inch closed-space tandem
• Standard with ZMD® ZERO MAINTENANCE DAMPING®, shockless
suspension system technology
• Standard with QUIK-DRAW®
• Pivoting mud flaps help prevent mud flap damage and reduce component maintenance
• Standard LDA™ Large-Diameter Axle provides heavy-duty performance from an ultra-light axle

VANTRAAX

®

HKANT 23K • 40K • 46K / HKAT 50K
A comprehensive system for dry-freight, refrigerated and specialty vans
• Application: Lightweight, road-proven integrated systems for virtually
any trailer design using a sliding bogie — optimized for dry-freight,
refrigerated and specialty vans
• System capacity: 23 • 40 • 46 • 50,000 pounds
• Ride height: 16 or 17 inches
• Box widths: 42, 48 and 54 inches
• Axle spread: Standard 49-inch closed-space tandem; optional 121-inch widespread on
select models accommodates 96- or 102-inch trailer widths and four- or six-inch pinhole configurations
• Standard with QUIK-DRAW
• Standard LDA Large-Diameter Axle provides heavy-duty performance from an ultra-light axle
30

AIR SUSPENSIONS
VANTRAAX TRIDEM
®

HKANT 69K23 • HKAT 69K25
• Application: Dry, refrigerated and specialty vans
• System capacity: 69,000 pounds
• Suspension capacity: 23 • 25,000 pounds
• Ride heights: 16 and 17 inches
• Box width: 42 and­­­­ 48 inches
• Axle spread: 60 and 72 inches, 49 inches for HKANT 69K23
• Allows haulers to go through state and international borders while
maintaining compliance
• Standard LDA™ Large-Diameter Axle provides heavy-duty performance from an ultra-light axle

VANTRAAX Ramp Ready
HKARL 46K
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Application: Haulers delivering where a loading dock is not always possible
System Capacity: 46,000 pounds
Ride Height: 9, 10, 11 or 12 inches
Box Width: 48 inches
Axle Spread: 49 inches
Features: 30 × 6.5-inch ramp bay
Eliminates heavy, expensive spacer tubes

• Standard LDA Large-Diameter Axle provides heavy-duty performance from an ultra-light axle

INTRAAX -SP
®

AAZNT 23K • 46K • 69K TRIDEM / AAZL 23K • 46K
Platform Slider Series
Fits neatly between trailer I-beams. Single-axle and tandem
configurations give platform slider operators low-maintenance benefits,
unprecedented weight savings and all the benefits of INTRAAX®.
•
•
•
•
•

Application: Straight and drop-deck platform trailers
System Capacity: 23 • 46 • 69,000* pounds
I-Beam Centers: 37, 38, 43 and 44 inches
Axle Spread: 49, 60 and 72 inches
Saves as much as 800 pounds compared to comparable air suspension
sliding tandems and 200 pounds compared to mechanical sliders
• Standard with brake chamber powered QUIK-DRAW®
• Standard LDA Large-Diameter Axle provides heavy-duty performance from
an ultra-light axle (AAZL only)
*AAZNT models only

UNDERSTANDING AIR SUSPENSIONS

31

TRAILER

UNDERSTANDING

Suspensions

Primary

Benefits
• Low maintenance

• 10-year limited warranty* on axle / beam connection

• Cam Tube System™ for trailer brake systems

• 5-year limited structural warranty*

• TRI-FUNCTIONAL® bushings — proven technology
for mile after mile of trouble-free service

• Broad mix-and-match RTR® READY-TO-ROLL® offerings
let you customize your running gear to meet your
specific requirements

• Neutral-toe axle — improved mileage and tire life
• Advanced axle wrap and window weld for optimal
structural integrity