Suspensions

Components and Suspensions

Suspensions

High performance, low maintenance and reduced whole-life costs are key to the development of BPW suspension systems. It is for these reasons that BPW remains Europe’s No.1 in suspension technology, delivering unrivalled quality without sacrificing safety.

BPW offer two types of suspension for 9-tonne axles; the conventional sprung steel trailing arm of the Airlight II Round and the cast trailing arm of the ECO Air.

Both suspension systems provide the same physical properties and offer solutions to cater for different types of trailer designs and operating conditions.

For more demanding operators BPW offer Airlight Heavy Duty, designed for axle loads up to 12 tonne and the SL suspension for loads up to 14 tonne.

- BPW

The Airlight II Round air suspension system offers all the advantages of flexible trailing arm technology. Trailing arms can be precisely adapted to a particular vehicle and its application. A major benefit of the Airlight II Round is its modular construction. The trailing arm absorbs the strongest vibrations from the running gear and uneven road surfaces, reducing stress on the tyres, frame, vehicle body and the load itself. 

For on-road applications, the bolted connections do not have to be re-tightened within the stated warranty period due to the clamping concept between the axle beam, spring seat and trailing arms.

Benefits

  • Standardised components
    Standardised components, make it possible to purchase the running gear components separately.  This is of particular benefit to operators when it comes to repairs as only the damaged/worn component needs to be changed.
     
  • Simple track adjustment
    The narrow profile of the hanger bracket, in conjunction with the straight side surfaces, significantly reduces assembly times.
     
  • Less weight – more payload
    The structural design of the trailing arms, hanger brackets and axle clamping arrangement reduce the weight of a tri-axle trailer by up to 93kg.
- BPW

The ECO Air suspension is of modular construction and mounted on a two-part cast member and steel rubber bush. An advantage is that the individual components are not welded and can therefore be individually replaced. With fewer components, this innovative technology makes ECO Air particularly robust.

A feature of ECO Air is the employment of BPW’s patented, high-tech laser production process, that for the first time, combines its typical clamped modular air suspension mounting with round axle beams. This three-dimensional laser profile, etched on the bottom of the casting interface, ensures a positive location with less clamping force.

Benefits

  • Steel rubber bush
    The specially designed steel rubber bush is asymmetrical, can handle all demands placed on it and is designed without voids for increased durability.
     

  • Standardised components
    Standardised components, make it possible to purchase the running gear components separately. This is of particular benefit to operators when it comes to repairs as only the damaged/worn component needs to be changed.

- BPW

The AL-HD axle and suspension system is designed for arduous duty cycles. For axle loads up to 12 tonne capacity, the AL-HD features thicker springs, welded spring
seats and M24 U-bolts. Clamped connections are utilised so that damaged parts can be repaired or replaced individually, rather than having to replace a complete axle.

- BPW

The SL suspension is specially designed for high loads, off-road and special applications. Advantages include the traditional low maintenance U-bolt clamping arrangement between the suspension and the axle, allowing for components to be replaced. The SL suspension incorporates the 100mm wide spring steel trailing arm principle, and using both single and twin leaf configurations allows for axle loads of up to 14 tonne.

- BPW