A non-driven axle for a vehicle or a trailer is provided. The non-driven axle includes a first arm portion, a second arm portion, and a central portion. The first arm portion is for rotatably mounting a first wheel hub. The second arm portion is for rotatably mounting a second wheel hub. The second arm portion is on an axial end of the central portion opposite the first arm portion. The central portion is between the first arm portion and the second arm portion and may be substantially arch-shaped or substantially ring-shaped. The substantially arch-shaped central portion includes a main portion and a radially inner portion. The substantially ring-shaped central portion includes a main portion and an inner portion. The non-driven axle reduces a weight of a vehicle or trailer while capable of being lifted without interfering with an operation of a drive axle.

A non-driven axle for a vehicle or a trailer is provided. The non-driven axle includes a first arm portion, a second arm portion, and a central portion. The first arm portion is for rotatably mounting a first wheel hub. The second arm portion is for rotatably mounting a second wheel hub. The second arm portion is on an axial end of the central portion opposite the first arm portion. The central portion is between the first arm portion and the second arm portion and may be substantially arch-shaped or substantially ring-shaped. The substantially arch-shaped central portion includes a main portion and a radially inner portion. The substantially ring-shaped central portion includes a main portion and an inner portion. The non-driven axle reduces a weight of a vehicle or trailer while capable of being lifted without interfering with an operation of a drive axle.

An equalizer includes a pivot arm pivotally connected between first and second spaced-apart plates fixedly connected to each other. First and second bump stops extend from one of the first and second plates to or toward the other of the first and second plates. A first shock absorber is disposed and selectively compressible between the pivot arm and the first bump stop. A second shock absorber is disposed and selectively compressible between the pivot arm and the second bump stop.

An equalizer includes a pivot arm pivotally connected between first and second spaced-apart plates fixedly connected to each other. First and second bump stops extend from one of the first and second plates to or toward the other of the first and second plates. A first shock absorber is disposed and selectively compressible between the pivot arm and the first bump stop. A second shock absorber is disposed and selectively compressible between the pivot arm and the second bump stop.

Tandem axle assemblies and associated systems and components are provided for use on heavy duty trucks, trailers, and/or other vehicles. Tandem axle assemblies may include a drive axle and a non-drive lift axle mounted to a non-torque reactive suspension system having hanger brackets positioned between the tandem axles. Roll stability components of the suspension system can be located on the drive axle side of the suspension, reducing weight, cost, and complexity of the tandem axle assembly. The non-drive lift axle can be operated by a control system during vehicle dynamic operation to improve traction performance of the vehicle.

Provided is a tandem lift auxiliary axle suspension assembly for vehicles which can be selectively raised and lowered to adjust the overall vehicle weight to axle ratio. A tandem wheel mount is connected with a pair of torsion rods to a hanger depending from the vehicle frame. An air spring mounted between the beam and the frame dampen axle movement during use. A lift spring is mounted between the hanger and the torsion rods, or other components of the assembly to selectively raise and lower the tandem axles for ground engagement as needed to decrease the weight to axle ratio.

Provided is a tandem lift auxiliary axle suspension assembly for vehicles which can be selectively raised and lowered to adjust the overall vehicle weight to axle ratio. A tandem wheel mount is connected with a pair of torsion rods to a hanger depending from the vehicle frame. An air spring mounted between the beam and the frame dampen axle movement during use. A lift spring is mounted between the hanger and the torsion rods, or other components of the assembly to selectively raise and lower the tandem axles for ground engagement as needed to decrease the weight to axle ratio.

A drive unit for actuating a brake device by a driver's operation, when a vehicle is parked or stopped, is disposed independently in a trailing arm for each of right and left rear wheels. Thus, the drive unit for actuating the brake device via a wire when the vehicle is stopped or parked can be loaded, even if the space of the vehicle is tight. That is, the drive unit for actuating the brake device via the wire when the vehicle is stopped or parked can be loaded, regardless of the space of the vehicle.

A drive unit for actuating a brake device by a driver's operation, when a vehicle is parked or stopped, is disposed independently in a trailing arm for each of right and left rear wheels. Thus, the drive unit for actuating the brake device via a wire when the vehicle is stopped or parked can be loaded, even if the space of the vehicle is tight. That is, the drive unit for actuating the brake device via the wire when the vehicle is stopped or parked can be loaded, regardless of the space of the vehicle.

A powered vehicle suspension assembly includes a mounting bracket configured to be attached to a powered vehicle frame rail, a trailing arm assembly including a substantially rigid trailing arm having a first end pivotably coupled with the mounting bracket and a second end, where the trailing arm assembly is configured to operably couple with a powered vehicle axle arrangement, a spring arrangement supported by the second end of the trailing arm, and a structural reinforcement cross-member configured to extend between and couple with a pair of powered vehicle frame rails.