Technical Session #1—Next Generation Tractor-Trailer Connector: What Fleets Want

For the past several meetings, Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) Task Forces have been evaluating various proposals for the next generation tractor-trailer electrical connector, which will be critical for the development of future combination vehicle designs. Now the time has come for decisions to be made by industry and there remains a lack of consensus for a future single standard going forward. Fleets must make their preferences known; otherwise, an undesirable solution will be thrust upon them. Is connector chaos unavoidable?

This session, organized by TMC’s S.1 Electrical Study Group, will pick up where the Council’s last Shop Talk session on this important subject left off. During this session, our fleet-only panel will present survey feedback on connector design preferences as well as review available test data from fleets who have tried some of the various proposed solutions under consideration.

Panelists will help attendees understand how this substantial change in asset interconnectivity will affect their acquisition and maintenance costs by model year 2030 and beyond, which is when whatever solution is adopted — perhaps even a “no standard” solution — is anticipated to emerge.

If your fleet relies on combination vehicles in its operation, this is a must -attend session. Your input is critical to shaping what the future will hold for tomorrow’s articulated vehicles. Help shape your operation’s future before it’s too late. As the old saying goes, “if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.”

Moderator