Trailer Diagnostics (TDIA)
Know when your trailer needs attention
Trailers may travel thousands of kilometres without returning to their home workshop.
Knowing how intensively a trailer has been used, when maintenance is due and whether its electronic braking system is reporting a warning helps fleet operators plan service before a problem affects operations.
The Trailer Diagnostics Parameter Group combines trailer usage, service information and EBS warning status into one harmonised message.
This provides the back office with essential information to monitor trailer condition remotely and plan maintenance more effectively.
Specifications
Name: Trailer Diagnostics
Header: $TRAILERDIAG1
Subscription: Yes
Solution: Trailer Box
Trigger: Every 15 seconds and on event
Buffer: Yes, default
Server header: Time and location
A change in the amber or red EBS warning status generates an event, allowing important brake-system warnings to be reported immediately.
For multi-trailer combinations, an individual message is generated for each trailer. The trailer number is reflected in the message header, supporting combinations of up to five trailers.
Key Parameters
Trailer Distance
Provides the calculated total distance travelled by the trailer.
The value can be calibrated using the Squarell Checker Box and is calculated from that calibration point onwards.
This provides a valuable usage indicator for trailers where reliable mileage information may otherwise be difficult to obtain.
Operating Hours
Records the total time the trailer has been in operation.
Combined with distance, operating hours provide a better understanding of actual trailer utilisation.
Trip Counter
Records the number of trips made by the trailer.
This provides an additional measure of trailer utilisation and can help distinguish between trailers used for long-distance transport and those operating many shorter journeys.
Service Distance
Provides the remaining distance until the next scheduled service.
This allows maintenance applications to identify trailers approaching their service requirement and plan workshop visits in advance.
Service Time
Provides the remaining time until scheduled service.
Together, Service Distance and Service Time allow maintenance to be planned according to whichever limit is reached first.
EBS Warning Status
Monitors two important Electronic Braking System warning levels:
- EBS Amber Warning
- EBS Red Warning
A change in either warning status generates an event, enabling the fleet application to react without waiting for the next periodic message.
The complete Parameter Group and parameter definitions are available to Squarell partners.
Future Diagnostic Information
The Trailer Diagnostics message has already reserved additional parameter positions for future diagnostic information.
The current specification also identifies EBS Faults as a future implementation.
As additional reliable diagnostic information becomes available, the Parameter Group can therefore be expanded without changing its fundamental role within the trailer application.
ISO 11992 & Squarell Checker Box
ISO 11992 is a point-to-point communication network between truck and trailer. The Squarell Trailer Box therefore reads the active communication non-intrusively through CANcliQ, without interfering with the truck-to-trailer connection.
When the trailer is disconnected, the Squarell Checker Box can communicate actively with the trailer to retrieve additional information that may not be available during normal operation.
For Trailer Diagnostics, the Checker Box also has an additional function: it can be used to calibrate the calculated trailer distance, after which the Trailer Box continues calculating the value.
From usage to maintenance
Trailer Diagnostics brings several types of information together:
Distance → Operating Hours → Trips → Service Distance → Service Time → EBS Warnings
This gives the fleet application more than a simple warning signal.
For example:
Service due in 2,000 km
The workshop visit can be planned.
Amber EBS warning active
The trailer requires technical attention.
Red EBS warning active
The condition requires immediate assessment.
High trip count with relatively low mileage
The trailer is being used intensively for short-distance operations.
The last interpretation is application-level analysis derived by comparing the available counters.
Typical Applications
Trailer Diagnostics supports applications such as:
- Trailer maintenance planning
- Service scheduling
- Trailer utilisation monitoring
- EBS warning monitoring
- Remote trailer health monitoring
- Workshop preparation
- Preventive maintenance
- Road Train monitoring
- Trailer lifecycle management
Business Value
The Trailer Diagnostics Parameter Group helps fleet operators to:
- Monitor trailer usage remotely
- Plan maintenance based on distance and time
- Detect EBS warnings quickly
- Reduce unexpected workshop visits
- Improve maintenance planning
- Compare trailer utilisation
- Reduce unplanned downtime
- Improve trailer availability
- Build a service history for individual trailers
Why Squarell?
Trailers often remain outside the direct visibility of the fleet maintenance organisation for long periods.
Squarell combines available ISO 11992 information with data calculated by the Trailer Box to provide a consistent view of trailer usage, service requirements and EBS warning status.
Instead of waiting until a trailer returns to the workshop, maintenance applications can receive relevant information while the trailer is in operation.
Related Product
Trailer Box
The Squarell Trailer Box provides non-intrusive access to ISO 11992 communication and processes the available information into harmonised trailer Parameter Groups.
Combined with integrated modem communication, Trailer Diagnostics can make service and warning information available remotely wherever the trailer is operating.
Trailer Diagnostics — Know which trailer needs attention before it reaches the workshop.
