At the 2024 TMC Annual Meeting in New Orleans, Phillips Industries announced its T/T Pair smart seven-way trailer socket. Rob Phillips, CEO, Phillips Industries, called the T/T Pair a “groundbreaking” advancement in tractor/trailer connectivity technology at a press conference held during the show.

Phillips said the T/T Pair provides 100% reliable, instantaneous tractor and trailer pairing, ensuring seamless communication and efficient fleet management.

Phillips’ T/T Pair seven-way socket is designed to replace the existing Phillips QCS2 Socket. “In just one minute, users can swap the seven-way socket for a patented T/T Pair socket, and avoid any additional wiring or installation,” Phillips said. “Using the existing (blue) power wire in the J560 plug, the T/T Pair establishes a powerful communication link, using a PLC transceiver housed within the socket itself, which immediately identifies and communicates the tractor/trailer pairing to any BLE integrated ELD or trailer telematics device, ensuring that the right tractor is pulling the right trailer.”

Phillips added that the T/T Pair has a non-corrosive, unbreakable molded design that keeps corrosion out of the electrical systems, providing longevity and reliable performance that Phillips connections are known for.

The Phillips T/T pair is compatible with Phillips’ QCS2 7-way socket which is standard equipment on virtually all trucks and the majority of trailers in North America. The T/T Pair is compatible with OEM-installed S7 Break-Away Box, i-BOX, QBOX, VOLT-BOX and QCS2 Harnesses.

Broad Telematics Compatibility

Phillips said T/T Pair works by instantly providing a hardwire interface with singles, doubles, triples and even larger road trains. It allows the ELD device in the truck and/or the telematics platforms in the trailers to capture the pairing information through a BLE interface. Phillips called this a, “simple solution that works in real-time.”

“By developing our T/T Pair, we are redefining what full fleet visibility and security means to our customers,” added Dan Forthoffer, vice president of corporate research and development, Phillips. “By ensuring 100% reliable and instantaneous tractor/trailer connectivity, we're not only introducing a product; we're delivering a promise of enhanced operational efficiency, security, and proactive maintenance that directly translates to significant cost savings and, most importantly, safer roads."

T/T Pair increases security by allowing immediate alerting of unauthorized trailer use and identifying unauthorized users, thereby mitigating risks. In addition to security, it enhances driver experience when coupled with Phillips Connect’s Smart Trailer systems. These monitor essential trailer health metrics, including door status, tire pressure, temperature, and the status of ATIS, regulator, and air tanks.

In critical situations, drivers receive high-severity health warnings, allowing for proactive maintenance and increased safety on the roads. It enhances customer service by utilizing accurate trailer data to optimally plan and ensure on-time deliveries. T/T Pair also offers significant time and cost savings by preventing unnecessary trailer pulls that consume driver hours, fuel, and mileage.

The T/T Pair is designed to work with any BLE-equipped trailer telematics or ELD device. However, Phillips said. it will be available to Phillips Connect customers first.

Phillips Connect’s telematics Connect1 platform provides real-time status updates, historical trends, on-demand notifications, alerts, and reporting, geofencing capabilities, and more, he added.