AL-KO atc control

[robirob]

Interesting component of the Al-ko chassis

AL-KO atc

ciao

Rob

[Brian B-P]

Interesting find, Rob.

I don't understand German, so I am missing what they are saying, but the AKS component appears to be automatic application of the brakes when it (somehow) detects sway. This can be done manually by the driver with the electric brake controls which are typically used here, but not normally with the Euro-standard overrun (or surge) activated cable system.

I find it interesting that the system simply applies both brakes, when applying only the one on the side towards which the trailer is swaying would be more effective, just as is done by modern electronic stability control systems in cars.

The coupler with friction pads (featured in the second part of the video) is a common Euro device, equivalent to the friction-type sway control "bars" here, but acting in all directions.

I did find an equally unintelligible (to me) web page on the auto-braking system: ATC Trailer-Control. Babelfish amusingly turns the German for"sway" into "centrifuge" and the "AL-KO" name into "ALUMINIUM-KO"... it does explain that the unit measures lateral acceleration as a trigger, and indicates that maybe some Euro setups do provide driver-actuated control, although I don't know how it works.

The... ATC stabilization system can be operated additionally to a trailer FR in the passenger car, which is offered by some car manufacturers.

This would be an easy thing to do for our electric brakes. Given all the stuff you can buy to "fix" your towing rig, I wonder why no one has offered it yet (or I just haven't heard of it).