Smart trailer technology is gaining traction across North American fleets, with suppliers emphasizing simpler, faster insights for maintenance and operations. That focus emerged during Hendrickson’s recent media day, themed “Beyond Suspensions,” where speakers highlighted how sensor-rich trailers are shifting from hardware add-ons to data-driven decision tools.
Fleets Want Simplicity, Not More Complexity
Supplier feedback indicates that fleets increasingly want fewer dashboards and more actionable alerts. Representatives from Phillips Connect said customers are asking the company to reduce complexity and streamline how information reaches technicians, drivers, dispatchers, and maintenance managers. The goal: deliver the right alert to the right person at the right time, without adding workflow friction.
- Technicians: diagnostic clarity and maintenance prioritization
- Drivers: clear, timely alerts that don’t distract from driving
- Dispatchers: situational awareness tied to load status and schedules
- Maintenance managers: fleetwide visibility for planning and cost control
Integration Spotlight: Phillips Connect and Hendrickson Tiremaax Pro
Reflecting that direction, Phillips Connect has integrated with Hendrickson’s Tiremaax Pro, an automatic tire inflation system widely used on trailers. The integration is designed to surface tire condition data more efficiently, helping fleets address issues before they lead to roadside events or equipment downtime. By consolidating tire health insights alongside other trailer sensors, fleets can connect maintenance actions to real-world operating conditions and schedules.
Why It Matters
The push toward smarter, simpler trailers comes as the trucking industry leans further into safety and efficiency technologies. Driver-assistance features continue to expand, aiming to make jobs safer and less demanding, while manufacturers have confirmed—or are considering—new electric truck models later this decade. In that environment, sensor-driven trailers and streamlined data delivery offer fleets a path to better asset utilization, tire life, and uptime without adding operational complexity.