Saving costs just to get a license plate, actually using low-quality ABS to fool the inspection

At the current stage, whether it is a trailer or a tractor head, ABS anti-lock braking systems have long been mandatorily installed according to regulations. In fact, on many high-end flagship products, the EBS electronic braking system has gradually become standard. However, many truck drivers have found in actual use that although their trailers are equipped with ABS, compared to the ABS installed on the prime mover or cargo truck, the performance of trailer ABS is hard to describe.  

At present, aside from trailers that have not kept up with the times, many trailer ABS systems may not even be up to standard. Some small workshops use inferior ABS to save costs, resulting in abnormal braking performance of the trailer or mismatched braking between the tractor and trailer, directly endangering the driving safety of truck drivers.  

▎ Saving costs just to get registration—using inferior ABS to slip through

Compared with trailers, the domestic mainstream tractor manufacturers are mostly state-owned enterprises, central enterprises, and locally well-known companies. They not only have rich technical reserves, manufacturing processes, and management experience, but also strictly manufacture vehicles according to the requirements set by relevant authorities, thereby ensuring that the entire vehicle complies with legal standards.

In contrast, looking at the domestic trailer industry, describing the current domestic trailer market as a mixed bag could not be more accurate. Apart from a few leading companies, most other manufacturers are mainly small to medium-sized, and some are even small workshops or factories that only have basic welding skills. Overall, their technical level cannot be compared with that of vehicle manufacturers with strong technological capabilities.

The ABS system has relatively high installation requirements for the design of pipelines and circuit connections on trailers. However, some small factories have very amateurish technology and lack the ability to design and experiment, making it easy for errors to occur during production or installation. Especially for low-quality axles produced by some small workshops, they simply cannot meet the precision requirements of the ABS system for axles. In addition, since the installed ABS systems are all generic brands, the overall performance can be said to be greatly compromised.

For many small and medium-sized trailer companies, in order to survive in a highly competitive market, they have to continuously reduce production costs. As a result, many small workshops have started to “cut corners” on braking systems.

For regular trailer manufacturers, whether installing ABS or EBS, the prices are not cheap. It is understood that a set of ABS systems may cost several thousand yuan, while EBS can be as high as more than ten thousand yuan. Currently, the price of an ordinary trailer might be around 70,000 to 90,000 yuan. From this perspective, a set of ABS systems can account for a significant portion of the trailer's cost, which is hard to accept for some cost-conscious small manufacturers.

So is it okay not to install ABS? Of course not. According to GB7258 requirements, almost all mainstream trailers are now required to have ABS systems installed. Therefore, some small workshops, in order to save costs and just get the vehicle registered, have started installing low-quality ABS on trailers. It's important to know that vehicle registration does not test the performance of the ABS system; it mainly checks whether this feature has been installed. If a trailer has an ABS system, it can be registered, even if the ABS is a poor generic brand that doesn't work well.
 

Obviously, this kind of low-quality ABS system cannot guarantee everyone's driving safety, let alone its performance during emergency braking. Its main purpose is simply to allow the trailer to be successfully registered. Because of this, many truck drivers who are unaware that they are using a low-quality ABS start to have a poor impression of the ABS system on their trailers.

▎Poor braking performance, high safety risks with low-quality ABS

After a trailer made with low-quality ABS is registered, many truck drivers may find that the braking system of this vehicle is extremely difficult to use. The trailer tires often lock up easily, fail to release properly after braking, and sometimes cannot be stopped at all. Additionally, the coordination between the tractor and trailer is very poor, especially when driving in rain, snow, or on curves. The performance of the braking system is completely unsatisfactory, and drivers gradually lose confidence in the vehicle's braking system.
 

In fact, many truck enthusiasts removed the ABS and drum brakes from the front wheels of the tractor many years ago to ensure that pushing or swaying between the tractor and trailer would be less likely to occur. Looking back, this practice is actually wrong. Removing the tractor's braking system damages the original braking force and stopping distance, and the overall braking performance of the vehicle will certainly decline to some extent. This makes braking more reliant on the tractor's drive wheels and the trailer's braking system, posing a significant safety risk while driving.

Since it's so difficult to use, why should I keep this system? Many car enthusiasts have started choosing to remove the ABS, and modify it at roadside shops into the so-called 'brake king,' in order to roughly improve the vehicle's braking power.  

The 'brake king' does give a sense of immediate response to the pedal— even a light press can achieve good braking effect, which is one of the key reasons it is popular. In contrast, the ABS system continuously adjusts brake pressure during activation to maintain optimal pressure, so the brake pedal can feel springy. The subjective feeling for the driver is that it is not strong enough and not easy to use.

In fact, the situation is quite the opposite. When the ABS system intervenes, it puts the wheels and the road surface in a state of rolling friction, which not only shortens braking distance and improves tire-road adhesion but also allows for control of vehicle direction and changes in travel path. Without ABS, if the wheels lock up, it leads to reduced braking force, longer braking distance, and the inability to steer, losing the ability to make emergency evasive maneuvers, which can easily result in rollovers or skidding.

● Editor's Note:

Currently, almost all mainstream traction vehicles in China are equipped with ABS, and flagship models even come standard with the EBS electronic braking system. However, if the trailer uses a low-quality ABS or brake components, in extreme road conditions, emergency braking can easily cause the tractor to jackknife or even roll over.

Therefore, in addition to focusing on the main vehicle's configuration, attention should also be paid to whether the trailer's ABS or EBS braking system is a qualified product. Having a set of high-quality, compliant ABS systems can not only improve driving safety and braking performance but also help prevent abnormal tire wear, thereby extending tire lifespan.