More Cargo. Bigger Cargo. Faster Loading / Unloading.
Dallas Smith Corp.’s (DSC) patented Axleless® suspension systems provide extreme low floors by completely eliminating the rear axles in cab chassis vehicles and trailers. With GVWR ratings maintained, Axleless introduces a remarkably smooth ride previously unachievable with conventional, straight-axle suspensions. Axleless is a fully independent suspension system; and because it is an air ride system, there is the added bonus of having on-demand kneeling or raising capabilities of the vehicle. This means that an already low floor vehicle can be lowered even further when in a parked position, or can be raised to navigate irregular ground obstacles.
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The patented Axleless® Low-Floor™ suspension reduces the payload height (lower center of gravity). This greatly increases roll stability.
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Axleless Wide-Trac® suspension’s wider track width allows more lateral acceleration without rollover.
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Wider spacing between suspension bump-stops limits body roll during emergency maneuvers, which also increases roll stability.
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Axleless independent suspension with less “unsprung weight” provides better contact with the road at all times and better traction, even under rough road conditions.
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Less axle hop and no dynamic interaction between wheels on opposite sides enhance road-holding; this also results in shorter braking distances on rough roads.
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Less body roll when cornering allows more responsive direction transitions, such as S-curve maneuvers.
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Better traction under emergency situations keeps the vehicle on the road.
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Axleless is a “true” independent suspension; one wheel’s motion does not affect the vehicle’s opposite wheel. Less shock and vibration over rough roads means less shock and vibration for the payload and driver.
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Axleless independent suspension with lower unsprung weight helps eliminate axle hop and tire bounce and their effects on the driver and payload.
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Axleless low floor suspensions provide much more wheel travel compared to trailers having multiple solid axles with smaller wheels and tires. Axleless can ride over undulating surfaces without contacting the bump stops and “bottoming out”.
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The soft ride is enhanced by the wider spring spacing which allows good vehicle roll stiffness even with softer springs.
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Axleless air ride suspensions provide the most comfortable and cushioned ride available for a driver and his cargo.
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Axleless Low-Floor vehicles provide up to 30% more “payload” carrying capacity than conventional high floor vehicles. Axleless suspensions typically weigh 20% to 30% less than conventional solid thru-axle suspensions.
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Less on-the-job injuries when workers can easily step-in and step-out of trailers and trucks; Axleless provides vehicle floor heights as low as eight inches.
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Available in 7,000 lbs. to 14,000 lbs. single set capacities.
Axleless individual wheel sets provide an economical and easy way for manufacturers and up-fitters to add Axleless Wide-Trac to trailers and front wheel drive trucks.
Dallas Smith Corp.® provides specialty manufacturers and up-fitters with comprehensive design and engineering support services to integrate Axleless seamlessly into their product line.
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7,000 lbs. to 42,000 lbs. Tridem capacities.
Axleless Modules are used by specialty manufacturers and up-fitters for use in low floor trailers.
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Axleless Modules are supplied as complete structural units, including a fully integrated Low-Floor suspension system. Manufacturers and up-fitters install standard “fore” and “aft” sections of the trailer frame to the Axleless module to form a complete “unitized” trailer frame structure. |
Dallas Smith Corp. provides manufacturers and up-fitters with complete design and engineering services to support the necessary trailer frame/Axleless module fabrication interfaces.
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Available in 7,000 lbs. to 42,000 lbs. Trailer Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings.
Axleless trailer frames are supplied as complete “Standard” or Low-Floor trailer frames. These frames include a fully integrated Axleless suspension system.
Ideal for up-fitters who require complete “base frame decks”, including suspension in skeleton form (i.e., without floor covering, walls, doors, and roof).
10,000 lbs. to 33,000 lbs. GVWR (Class 3 through Class 7).
Axleless chassis cabs are front wheel drive vehicles and are provided as SuperLow-Floor models.
Axleless SuperLow-Floor vehicles are used to provide increased cargo space and ease of vehicle entry/exit. Up-fitters built Axleless SuperLow-Floor chassis cabs into shuttle buses, book mobiles, parcel delivery vans, high cube cargo vans, etc.
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Tip: Click on each step below for details.
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Dallas Smith Corp.’s Unique Resources
For nearly 30 years DSC has developed and implemented a successful process for taking Low-Floor Trailer ideas and quickly, smoothly, and cost effectively turn them into working prototypes. DSC has been able to do this by working with the best in the auto industry.
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These companies include, in part: the major vehicle OEMs; specialized vehicle component manufacturers; fabrication, foundry, and machining companies; vehicle design and engineering; vehicle assemblies; vehicle testing, validation, and certifications, etc. DSC is truly a one-stop provider for transforming any Low-Floor Trailer vehicle concept idea into a prototype demonstrator and on into a production reality. |
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The EqualizerRamp |
Videos & Animations
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The benefits of Low-Floor. |
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Axleless® saves time. Lift gates are awkward and slow compared to an effortless walk-in/walk-out approach provided by Axleless. The on-screen timers tell the story, as delivery via Axleless is almost three times faster. |
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This is a full “Kneel” demonstration of an Axleless suspension by Dallas Smith Corp.® |
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This Axleless animation highlights the smooth up and down motion afforded by a Dallas Smith Corp. Low-Floor suspension. |
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Testimonials
“The people at Dallas Smith Corp.® have something great here! We purchased our first Ford front wheel drive Axleless® Low-Floor commercial van in 2005 for use as a demonstrator vehicle. It didn’t take long before The City of Sacramento issued their first order to Salinas Valley Ford. You really have to see Dallas Smith Corp.’s Axleless Low-Floor trucks in action to fully appreciate the additional benefits and advantages. For the cost of one worker’s compensation claim, our customers can buy two or three Low-Floor trucks.”– Karl Bathke
Commercial Trucks Manager
Salinas Valley Ford
Salinas, California
“With the Axleless® suspension, there is much less movement of the trailer vertically and horizontally. If you follow one of these units down the highway, it’s obvious there’s a big difference in the way it tracks and hugs the road. Our drivers say it’s the best trailer they’ve ever pulled.”– Dan Rusher, Vice President
Equipment Services
Mayflower Transit
Indianapolis, Indiana
“Over the last five years we have put nearly four million miles on our 33 Peterbilt front wheel drive, Axleless® Low-Floor Marmon-Herrington trucks. And, without the need for lift gates, we have been able to load and unload the City’s 60 to 90 gallon refuse and recycle containers much faster and with just one worker …not the two that were needed with our conventional trucks. And best of all, we have fewer on-the-job injuries with our Low-Floor trucks. We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our new Ford Axleless Low-Floor trucks that we just recently ordered.”
– Rick Spang
Solid Waste Resource Superintendent & Fleet Manager
City of Los Angeles
California