The new Doran 360 SmarltLink tire pressure monitoring system was designed specifically for truck fleets with "drop and hook" trailers and is one of the most advanced tire monitoring system available, its maker said. With this system, wireless sensors are screwed-on to the valve stems of the trailer tires and the tire pressure information is sent to a trailer-mounted SmartLink receiver/transmitter that collects and transfers the data to a cab-mounted display unit. The wireless sensors mounted on the truck tires are also programmed to the monitor in the cab. When the truck is hooked to a new trailer, it only requires a simple one-button operation by the driver to drop and add the correct trailer.
The SmartLink system provides benefits to both fleet owners and drivers, according to Doran. Fleet owners understand that proper inflation maximizes tire life and fuel efficiency. In addition, the system allows tire pressures to be accurately checked within seconds, which minimizes labor costs and errors associated with manually checking each tire with a gauge. For the drivers, the patent-pending "Green Means GOOD" one-glance indicator light provides a level of confidence and safety knowing that all of the tires are properly inflated. If a tire pressure problem develops, audible alerts and visual warnings provide the specific tire location and pressure level so that low tire-pressure problems can be addressed to eliminate preventable costly breakdowns and repairs. There is also a high temperature warning (patent pending) to help prevent damage caused by excessive heat.
To assist with driver accountability, a date/time stamp for each pressure alarm (up to ten) is stored within the monitor and the system can be "locked" to prevent accidental reprogramming or tampering with the desired settings.
The spin-welded sensors are built utilizing an encapsulation process with high-grade materials to provide component security and airtight construction to meet the extremes of the road and the changing conditions of driving coast-to-coast. The unique three-piece seal maximizes valve core depression and minimizes potential leaks and the improved battery design provides an estimated 5-year service life.
The system, which works with either traditional dual-wheel configurations or wide-base single tire applications, can provide an estimated payback in less than nine months per truck/trailer (based on driving 100,000 miles annually), Doran said.
Installation can be accomplished in about one hour per truck/trailer. A simple to understand and operate monitor includes a digital LCD screen with backlit display and comes equipped with four-way navigational buttons. Multiple mounting accessories provide flexibility to install the display in many configurations based on the layout of the cab. Additionally, a patent-pending "Sleep Mode" ensures that the tire pressures are checked at all times. With this unique feature, tire pressures are monitored, but potential warnings are withheld until the driver turns on the truck’s ignition switch.
"The Doran 360 SmartLink system is specifically designed to monitor the tire pressures for fleets with trucks that drop and hook with multiple trailers," says General Manager Jim Samocki. "This versatile system meets the pressing needs of drop and hook fleets by helping to maximize tire life, optimize fuel efficiency, minimize labor costs while also enhancing the overall safety of their trucks and trailers for their drivers."
Tire Industry Safety Council studies have shown that nearly 83 percent of tire problems begin with low tire pressure, which causes premature tire wear and increased operating costs. The Doran 360 S L can help alleviate these problems while improving the bottom-line profit and safety for an entire fleet, the company concluded.
For more information, visit http://www.doranmfg.com or call toll-free 866-816-SAFE (7233).
