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I don’t think anyone with towing experience will argue that heavy equipment trailers demand a healthy dose of fear. And when I say “fear,” I mostly mean “respect.” Things can go wrong in a hurry when you’re pulling 20,000 pounds or more. Also, there’s only so much a driver can do if they have to evade an obstacle in the road, as the tail is always roaring and ready to wag the dog at highway speed. That’s exactly the scenario Lipert had in mind when it developed the anti-lock brake system for its heavy-duty axles, and the result is insane control in hairy situations.
A video of the tech in action was enough to stop me from scrolling over the weekend. I couldn’t help but watch when the Chevy Silverado HD started swerving with a JCB telehandler in tow—and the forks pointing forward. Typically, the trailer would hang off to the side and whip back, either slapping the door of the truck or slinging it off the road. But this time, the pickup stayed straight as an arrow while the trailer’s ABS helped it to quickly follow suit.
The demonstration took place at Nashville Speedway, where Diamond C Trailers was showing off its latest product line to dealers. All models with 8,000-pound axles come standard with Lipert’s ABS now, and the feature is optional on trailers with 7,000-pound axles. As far as I can tell, these are the first equipment trailers fitted with the safety feature.
If you’re in-the-know when it comes to trailer tech, you’ll remember that Lipert launched its ABS on RVs a few years ago. It caused quite a stir in the industry back then, too, and you can find it on high-end makes like Brinkley. It makes sense that such a safety feature would launch in that segment, seeing as many camper trailer owners aren’t the most experienced with towing. Also, when they’re long enough to accommodate a covered porch on the back, anyone will take all the help they can get in keeping them under control.
It’s worth noting, however, that those RVs weigh a lot less than the heaviest Diamond C trailers with ABS. When loaded, the manufacturer’s FMAX216 gooseneck with two 16,000-pound axles tips the scales far beyond a 42-foot Brinkley Model Z, which has a dry weight below 15,000 pounds.
Lipert designed its ABS with wheel speed sensors that detect slippage. It’s a proportional system, so brake application is gradual and as-needed. Fortunately, it’s also automatic, meaning you don’t have to engage it when you’re in an emergency maneuver.
You can see an in-truck view in the video below. It also shows how the system displays information via Diamond C’s IntelliBrake app. Said app isn’t absolutely necessary, as the ABS works without it, but it allows you to monitor live performance and odometry.
You Won’t Believe the Difference ABS Makes! (Real Trailer Test) | Diamond C
If that looked uneventful, well, that’s the point. A normal trailer without ABS would have swayed way worse, possibly wrecking the truck. Imagine driving in three-lane traffic with vehicles on either side of you when you’re forced to swerve with equipment in tow—then you start to see the real benefit of a system like this.
There’s a surprising amount of innovation in the trailer industry, and this is a prime example of it. Your granddaddy probably never thought they’d come out with something like this. Then again, it’s only right, considering some modern trucks can tow trailers largely by themselves.
Got a tip or question for the author? Contact them directly: caleb@thedrive.com
From running point on new car launch coverage to editing long-form features and reviews, Caleb does some of everything at The Drive. And he really, really loves trucks.
