2012 volvo 780

Well in my middle age years, I think I do not have to be afraid of these new , driver less technologies. I just try to cope with the challenges what are given today.
Retarder: Very impressive and useful what you demonstrated guys. I figured out, what you have is a hydraulic retarder, probably an output one. Right now it is not really available in North America. It was earlier with CAT, they had an input type (called brake saver), but extincted with CAT. Also available an output type with Allison automatic transmission, but to be honest, I do not know anybody use other than Eaton gearbox. Allison preferred in buses, fire trucks and in mid size trucks, where Jake brake is not available. Jacobson style retarder is an engine brake, what reverse valve work cycle, and works as an air compressor. Mistakenly some people call "Jake" the exhaust retarder too. The new Jake brakes on a 15 liter engine is comparable to hydraulic retarders braking HP, around 500HP. Cheaper, simpler and trouble free. Also the excess heat escape through the exhaust system. The hydraulic one's heat must be handled through the vehicle cooling system, what could be problem in the Southern States. It may need larger radiators, what needs different design, worse aerodynamic.
This is what I have found, I can not have my own opinion. Since the Jake brake standard with Cummins and a hydraulic one not on the option list, there is nothing to think about. And to be honest and do not really need it too. The old Jake is enough on my driving area. Seriously! I have never ever driven on a road what was used by Icee for presentation. (Maybe once when I got lost in the Appalachian area. Stupid me.) Volvo has a combination engine and exhaust retarder to reach this 500 braking HP. Also standard.
Grease free 5-th wheel: Manufactured by SAF-Holland. What I saw a nice aluminum one, it means 100lbs weight saving. The hard pressed plastic plate has 200,000 miles warranty. (Hard to believe.) Since you are saving the time and the grease, also you are protecting your metal plate. What means you never have to change the 5-th wheel, what usually occur around a million miles. To pick up a greasy trailer means some mess on your truck, but far less than what you have with the constant greasing. And with a little lubrication the plastic plate and the locking can last even longer......... According to them.
Sealed U joint: It is new here. What I found in smaller vehicle, the hand greased last longer with proper maintenance. Even under the seal, after a time the grease start to dry out, and the seal does not last forever too. No fresh grease to push out dust, moist. If you do not maintain, the sealed one last longer.
EBS: Not exactly the same, but advanced ABS with full stability control here. Since I pull company trailers, and I am happy, finally they phased out the trailers with no ABS, there is no chance to have trailers equipped with this electronic system. It seems totally useless for me.
Automated transmission: Everybody likes who use it, but lot of resistance from people who don't. It seems a great thing, but it cost money. To buy it and to have it. Although it has a lot less problem than most expected, but still has. An extra computer, sensors, gear shifter, electric motor, and of course communication with the engine computer. And according Murphy law, if something can go wrong, it will. And if does towing needed. So it is a comfortable, nice but luxury feature. Everybody has to decide he or she can afford it or not.
So you can call me a knucklehead North American trucker.

 

What means you never have to change the 5-th wheel Thats is not entirely true , the plastic plate cover does not keep the JAWS from breaking . locking up or wearing out.

You can get a No Grease Required cover for other brands of 5th wheels besides Holland ,

 

I think you're right, we've had them here for years , they really never took off here at all, I know a guy who bought a second hand truck with one on it but took it off almost immediately , I think it's because the jaws don't get grease and probably wear out quicker but I'm not sure. Some big supermarket chains have them but no one else have them as far as I can see, if there was any advantages to them people here would be buying them for sure. I really don't imagine the jaws lasting without grease not to mention pin wear

 

It stands to reason a sealed drive shaft wouldn't last as long as a properly maintained grease type, having said that I've never had a sealed one fail!

 

They promoted their 5-th wheel as the "world's only". Maybe they were talking about the aluminum material? Probably if other brands have the grease free option too. Of course rebuild can be necessary if the jaw is broken or worn out. No need to change the metal plate, since it has no direct contact with the trailer. And you are right. Even if I believe in the hard press plastic plate, hard to believe how can last the locking mechanism. I can not imagine what kind of material can provide "permanent lubrication". I suspect it needs to be rebuilt more often.......But I like the original idea.
I also like the idea of the sealed U joint too, especially for my planned next set up. Because of the direct drive transmission the drive shaft has a higher RPM. But the thing works, only if it works, and so far this is what I have found. I am happy to hear from a reliable source some information closer to my operation field. Definitely I do not plan to drive them submerged under water and mud, like the 4X4 guys from other forums.

 

Must be the aluminium cos I've seen grease free jost and vbg but both were steel construction, I'm not sure about aluminium on a high stress part such as a fifth wheel, I can see problems with it a couple of years down the road! You could make weight savings with disc brakes, they are tried and tested, to be honest I've never heard of an aluminium fifth wheel til now so I can't offer any real advice on them

 

They say it is forged by Alcoa, the world leading in the aluminum industry, the biggest alloy wheel maker. I was not entirely correct. 200,000 kilometer on the "lube plate", not miles.
Simply put and guaranteed for 5 Years / 800,000 kilometers**:
- No bracket pocket insert replacements
- No lock jaw replacements
- No rebuilds
This is the right info from the website....... It stinks.

 

Any ideas on the cost of these? I'd say they could be rather expensive and would such a small weight saving justify the cost? What kind of weight can they pull?

 

The plastic 5th wheel face plate was big with the TRUCK SHOW crowd , lot easier to get the GLITTERMOBILES glittering with little grease to clean off the 5th wheel.

 

Maximum vertical load 55,000 lbs, maximum drawbar pull 150,000 lbs. What i do not like this " no lock jaw replacements, no rebuilds." I do not know what does that means. Not necessary, or not possible. Because if not possible, that is a big red flag. Abot the price I have not really have information. I found 1900$ on a website, and heard 3100-4000$ on this forum.