Great Dane adds new landing gear, slider to Freedom XP flatbeds

Great Dane is adding the JOST AX150 Alumilight landing gear and a new sliding suspension option on its Freedom XP all-aluminum flatbed trailers, the company announced Thursday.

The JOST AX150 Alumilight landing gear is an aluminum hybrid series built for a maximum static load rating of 160,000 pounds and a rated lift capacity of 55,000 pounds. An all-aluminum extruded upper leg and high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steel lower leg provide strength and weight savings.

The landing gear has silicone-sealed steel covers and a polyester-coated HSLA steel lower leg that provide protection from harsh road conditions and chemicals for added corrosion resistance and durability. The AX150 Alumilight series includes a 10-year low-maintenance warranty.

Great Dane’s new rear axle sliding, front axle fixed suspension option is now available on the 53-foot Freedom XP flatbed. The sliding suspension can be moved from the widespread position to close the tandem distance and be California legal. The distance from the king pin to the center line of the rear axle can be 480 inches in the forward position, 492 inches in the middle position or 540 inches in the rear position. The axle separation distance can be 61 inches, 73 inches or 121 inches.

Chris Hammond, Great Dane’s executive vice president of sales, says the reinforced slider pin holes do not require the use of fabricated steel channels or angles like many competitors’ products.

“We worked with our suspension supplier during the early design phase to create a unique beam design that functions with commercially available flatbed bogies without the need for heavy steel adapters,” he says. “Instead, we use galvanized steel wear pads and pin collars.”