Stemco says a new ABS-based deployment system for its TrailerTail fairing is now ready for ordering on new trailers following nearly a year of fleet testing. Called ZeroTouch, the motorized system unfolds the fairing panels when the vehicle reaches 35 mph.

ZeroTouch is a simpler alternative to Stemco’s existing radar-based AutoDeploy product, said Bob Montgomery, vice president of Stemco Innovative Tire and Mileage Solutions. “By collaborating with a very reliable ABS provider, this offering will help fleets throughout North America improve their efficiency and profitability through the reliable, effective automatic deployment of their TrailerTail units.”

Mike Boatwright, Boaty’s Transport owner, explained that the fleet has been using TrailerTails for the past 5 years and was "excited" to test the ZeroTouch on 20 of its temperature-controlled trailers.

“ZeroTouch performed very reliably in opening our TrailerTail units without driver involvement," he said. "I now see ZeroTouch as the next step for our fleet – we’ll increase our fuel savings and our maintenance team is already very familiar with the service and reliability of these ABS systems.

“ZeroTouch performed very reliably in opening our TrailerTail units without driver involvement," he said. "I now see ZeroTouch as the next step for our fleet – we’ll increase our fuel savings and our maintenance team is already very familiar with the service and reliability of these ABS systems.” 

TrailerTails increase fuel economy by about 0.4 mpg, according to Matt Wilson, the fleet’s data analyst. “When TrailerTails are not deployed during transit, we lose fuel savings, but with ZeroTouch we will never have to worry about losing those savings again,” he said.

Supervisors use telematics to see if the system is working, and can diagnose problems when it isn't, Wilson said. The fleet uses Meritor Wabco ABS to tie into ZeroTouch, and Thermo King-based telematics signaling is via Blue Tree. 

ZeroTouch is available only for new trailers purchased with specific ABS ECU systems starting next month, Montgomery said. Fleets with can still obtain automatic deployment of their TrailerTails on existing trailers with AutoDeploy systems.