i think this is an excellent idea. what do you lot think?
I worked for a firm which used to have these over 20 years ago, they worked well.
Good alternative for trailers that run close to the tractor, not needed on those permanently towing tanks, tippers, glass carriers etc.
The only problem i can see is that a line that gets snagged and super stretched may not be noticed by the driver on turns as should be the present case, a bit too much out of sight out of mind for those who don’t cast an eye over things regularly, also not so easy to hear air leaks whilst pressing the brake pedal.
Those who don’t have access to good washing facilities will soon find things caked in grime and less inclined to inspect them carefully.
limeyphil:
0i think this is an excellent idea. what do you lot think?
At least you can’t fall off the catwalk! 
Harry Monk:
I worked for a firm which used to have these over 20 years ago, they worked well.
Snap! 
but mine was on a low mega! 
and on palm couplings
Juddian:
Those who don’t have access to good washing facilities will soon find things caked in grime and less inclined to inspect them carefully.
we had to wash ours every day and chassis by hand/ jet wash before going through truckwash!
No worries of falling off a catwalk but you can and probably will bash your head somewhere (been there, done that,got the t-shirt! 
). I prefer them there to be honest, much better.
What I don’t understand is why we need three suzies to take electricity from the tractor to the trailer when one would do.
skids:
No worries of falling off a catwalk but you can and probably will bash your head somewhere (been there, done that,got the t-shirt!
A hardhat works well under there skids! 
Harry Monk:
What I don’t understand is why we need three suzies to take electricity from the tractor to the trailer when one would do.
True! One expensive cable though Harry!
Murffits used to have them on their trailers and units for their mega trailers
Harry Monk:
What I don’t understand is why we need three suzies to take electricity from the tractor to the trailer when one would do.
That’s simply a legacy thing - as kit has evolved more wires have been needed but to retain compatibility with older kit extra plugs were added instead of changing existing ones.
There has been a move towards reducing the number - lots of units these days have the 24N and 24S connections combined into a larger plug similar to the ABS/EBS connector but in my 7 years of driving I’ve only ever pulled one trailer which had a matching socket (and I still ended up using the two separate connections anyway as I didn’t have the correct lead to connect to the combined one).
Paul
repton:
Harry Monk:
What I don’t understand is why we need three suzies to take electricity from the tractor to the trailer when one would do.That’s simply a legacy thing - as kit has evolved more wires have been needed but to retain compatibility with older kit extra plugs were added instead of changing existing ones.
I agree, but it wouldn’t be difficult to phase in a changeover by legislating that all new trucks and trailers had to be capable of running with either a single lead or a combination and providing a new-type socket on new trailers to take the new leads.
Something else that wouldn’t be rocket science would be for trailer makers to standardise the position of the airline couplings so you don’t have to get them crossed up before you even start.
I had an ERF 25yrs ago that had to have the suzies at the rear due to the size of the air compressor i had on the back of the unit,they were a pain in the a—e always getting snagged and always covered in grease had to steam them off after every trip.Would not recommend,Cheers Ted.
Looks a great idea but I can see 2 possible problems:
1: Too easy to tamper with, especially for nosey kids who could easily walk under there. (And you might not see them!)
2: I guess they would get much more dirt and water sprayed all over them and that really is not good for either electrical or air connectors unless they are very well sealed.
Maybe another idea, just have a hatch in the back of the cab so you can open it and reach out to connect the suzies? Don’t even have to get out of the cab then
Main thing is to sort out the fronts of trailers so there’s nothing they snag on. Which I have to admit we’re not very good at doing.
Everytime an air or worse a more expensive electrical susie gets snapped we say must sort out that bent curtain handle or cut off that cow-bell that never gets used and never get round to it.
Usually have spares and spanners in the cab so don’t need a call out but still frustrating and the usually black electrical is hard to spot in the mirror that it’s caught. Most of the time it only happens on tight screw rounds in farms or yards where it’s a tip and not a lot of room.
I think some curtain tarp with magnets glued on over anything sticking out and they wouldn’t get snapped so often.
I think the set-up we have on some of ours is hard to beat. Pull a lever and all the air lines ,electrics and ebs sockets slide out to chest height .Theres no need to squeeze on to the cat walk ,all done with both feet on the ground. When all connected just slide it all back re-attach a dog clip (to stop it sliding out again) and you’re away. The only time they do fail is if the fitter misses to grease during service.
Own Account Driver:
Main thing is to sort out the fronts of trailers so there’s nothing they snag on. Which I have to admit we’re not very good at doing.Everytime an air or worse a more expensive electrical susie gets snapped we say must sort out that bent curtain handle or cut off that cow-bell that never gets used and never get round to it.
Usually have spares and spanners in the cab so don’t need a call out but still frustrating and the usually black electrical is hard to spot in the mirror that it’s caught. Most of the time it only happens on tight screw rounds in farms or yards where it’s a tip and not a lot of room.
I think some curtain tarp with magnets glued on over anything sticking out and they wouldn’t get snapped so often.
^this, definitely this. Our fridge trailers have sliders so you can connect airlines at ground level. The trouble is the design of the frame is ■■■■ poor and it’s really easy to snag a suzie and break it.
Looks a good idea but in practice it’s ■■■■■■
How do those with bad backs or shot knees get under there to pipe up?
Better to keep the present set up but with the trailer couplings at
waist height when stood on the catwalk.
They were a great idea if you kept the same lorry and trailer, howver like the catwalk susies, they got tangled, squashed dragged and ran over.
Before susies, they used straight rubber pipes. I had these in Germany along with a single electrical socket.
it was only the obligatory 24S fog lamp lead on UK trailers that spoiled the aesthetics of these