Trailer systems support from Haldex
Trailer technology specialist Haldex – which provides brake, suspension and running gear components for commercial vehicle fleets around the world – has outlined some of the key features of its customer support offering.
The company produces and distributes parts to OE trailer, truck and bus producers and to independent distributors.
“Haldex values every customer, and offers a number of free or low-cost support services to help solve operators’ problems,” said the firm.
In case of a query about a product, Haldex recommends visiting: haldex.com/en/Europe/fleets
The site contains a wealth of information about products, including the online product catalogue, and the Trailer Application Guide, which helps users quickly navigate to information about components of interest. Customers can also check actual stock availability and place orders via the site’s webshop.
“If the answer can’t be found online, the second port of call would be a customer’s local distributor,” added Haldex.
To enhance its service offering for partners, Haldex has launched a free or low-cost telephone helpline in the UK, Germany, France and Poland, which offers technical support during daytime hours. Fleet customers are welcome to use the service, including technicians and fleet managers.
“Speaking by telephone with advisors, customers can obtain more detailed and more certain information,” said Haldex.
Topics can range from general questions on part selection to very technical matters such as trailer brake calculations, and everything in between.
“Most queries are answered in the call, with the small remaining percentage handled by follow-up email afterwards.”
Haldex also supports fleets in understanding what their brakes are telling them.
“To gather, compare and analyse data from the trailer EBS, the Haldex Fleet+ interface allows customers to review over 20 parameters from last 1,000 routes of each vehicle,” the company continued.
“This solution helps operators analyse road conditions and to compare data between vehicles to find weak points and to reduce total cost of ownership.”
Another means of support that is proving popular in some markets, such as France and the UK, is remote services.
“Instead of just talking through a problem over the phone, remote services allows Haldex technicians to take action by remotely – and securely – accessing a workshop computer via TeamViewer remote desktop software.
“With remote services, Haldex technicians can help fleets use Haldex software to diagnose a technical fault, set/reset parameters or update firmware, for example. There is a moderate flat rate charged per connection.”
Haldex also teaches fleet technicians how to complete such tasks for themselves.
“The Haldex product diagnostics package, Diag+, comes loaded on to a USB dongle. Its advantage, compared to universal diagnostics computers, is 100 per cent compatibility with Haldex EBS and certainty and ease in parameter changing,” said the firm.
“Because the system alters braking performance, a safety-critical aspect of commercial vehicles, users must be trained and certified by Haldex, via a two-day course. Previously face-to-face, since the pandemic began the course has been offered online (three days).
“For certification, which lasts for two years, workshops must send a minimum of two technicians, purchase a set of spare parts and diagnostic equipment, and be audited by Haldex. The company teaches about 1,000 mechanics a year in classes ranging from 10-15 people.”
Other training courses for fleets, offered both face-to-face and online, include basic air braking circuits for trailers (agriculture); air suspension circuits (EGP valve, Colas, Ilas); ABS systems (Modal, Modular and U-ABS); EBS system (GEN3 and 4.0 soon); Fleet+; disc brakes (ModulT); automatic brake adjusters (AA1 & S-ABA).
In addition, short videos are also available on the Haldex YouTube channel:
youtube.com/user/HaldexTV
In 2023, Haldex plans to launch e-learning training in a new Haldex Academy. Topics will include basic pneumatics, and basic air braking circuits for trailers and actuators.
The company also highlighted its ability to offer bespoke fleet solutions.
“In January 2022, Haldex developed the ‘Rise and Low’ solution for haulier Petit Forestier, which raises and lowers the trailer when it docks on a loading ramp; its controls can be operated by warehouse worker.
“Another example is an anti-departure solution for Raben. It applies the trailer’s parking brakes during the loading process to prevent departure before loading ends, to prevent accidents. Both solutions incorporate extra accessories, including possibly trailer-mounted valves or control software.
“Customers interested in proposing a tailor-made solution should approach their distributor in the first instance, which will pass the enquiry on. Haldex’s sales department passes it on to either the technical or R&D department for further investigation. They consider if Haldex can solve the problem, and if so, pass it on to the technical department to prepare a mock-up for further consultation with the customer.”
