Volvo Stretch Brake for FH/FM semis

Volvo Trucks has announced its Stretch Brake safety system will shortly be available for FH and FM series semi-trailers

Volvo’s Stretch Brake safety system, introduced in 2012 for the brand’s FH trucks pulling drawbar trailers and in 2013 for FM trucks pulling drawbar trailers, will shortly be made available for FM/FH semi-trailer combinations.

Volvo says the system guards against combination instability and – in extreme cases – jack-knifing on wet and slippery descents by applying the trailer’s brakes in a pulsating action that ‘stretches’ the combination.

Volvo Trucks brake specialist, Mats Sabelström, explains the system in greater detail.

“One might call Stretch Brake a kind of low-speed ESP [Electronic Stability Programme],” he says. “As the combination approaches a downhill slope, the driver manually activates the system. When the driver then releases the accelerator, the brakes on the trailer are automatically applied in a pulsated mode all the way down the hill until the gradient levels out and speed can once again be increased.”

The Stretch Brake system complements Volvo’s ESP system, but while ESP is most effective at higher speeds, Stretch Brake is only used at speeds under 40km/h.

Volvo’s Accident Research Team claims that around 60 accidents that occurred in Sweden alone in 2013 could have been prevented had the trucks in question been fitted with the Stretch Brake system.

Volvo Stretch Brake for FH/FM semis

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