Meritor unveiled the newest suspension family members - the MTA25 (25,000-pound capacity) and MTA30 (30,000-pound capacity) - to its product line of trailing-arm air ride trailer suspension systems.

The Meritor Trailing-Arm Air (MTA) Suspension is designed to meet the needs of North America truck and trailer operators in various vocational markets, including platform, tanker, bottom dump, grain, logging, transfer, side-dump and end-dump trailers.

Both suspensions, plus the previously offered MTA23, are available with the company's new optional lift kit. The kit is a quick-response system that allows users of the MTA suspension system to efficiently raise select axles, which improves maneuverability and extends tire life. Available in painted or galvanized finishes, the lift kit attaches easily and can be installed as original equipment or field retrofit.

Introduced in 2010, the MTA23 was the first member of the new suspension systems family. Based on customer feedback.

The two new models join the MTA23 to complete the company's lineup of top-mount air ride suspension systems. They will be joined by new low-mount models in summer 2012. The entire family of suspensions is manufactured at the company's production facility in Frankfort, Ky.

The new suspension systems feature six technology advancements, according to Meritor:

1. Durability - the MTA design outperforms leading competitive products two-to-one in laboratory and track testing.

2. One of the lightest weight suspensions in its market segment.

3. Unique, patent-pending axle wrap design provides the foundation for a secure and durable axle connection.

4. Larger, more robust shock absorbers - specifically tuned to the MTA suspension with three times the damping power of its competitors. The larger bore design provides greater suspension control and more consistent tire contact with the ground, reducing tread wear, improving braking and enhancing handling.

5. Patented pivot bushing absorbs road inputs resulting in a softer ride, more cargo protection and reduced stress on the trailer's structure. Patented steel interleaf shims in the bushing provide superior fore-aft stiffness aiding in improved axle alignment, better tire wear and reduced roll steer.

6. Lift kits offer quick-lifting response, light weight, are durable, easy to install and maintain. Designed to mount under the frame brackets to prevent interference with tires.

"The newest suspensions are based on an exhaustive study and analysis of competitors' offerings matched against OE and fleet customers' insistence on key attributes that will extend component life and contribute to the end users' increased productivity," said Bob Brazeau, director of engineering, Trailer Products, Meritor.

The MTA trailer suspension system is integrated with Meritor trailer axles and Q Plus Cam Brakes. All are covered by the company's five-year, 500,000-mile warranty on structural components.