SKF debuts new trailer warranty options at TMC

SKF USA is expanding options for its premium wheel end system warranty packages to five or seven years for trailer manufacturers under its SKF Trouble-Free Operation (TFO) program. The company announced the warranty packages Sunday at the Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) Annual Meeting in Nashville, Tenn. With this TFO program enhancement, SKF says trailer OEMs now have the flexibility to customize warranty periods based on the products in the package that are more in line with their customers¡¯ demands. ¡°The industry has been asking for wheel end products that both work together and complement each other, especially when it comes to warranties,¡± says Scott Simmonds, vice president of heavy duty sales at SKF. ¡°Fleets want to know that they can use the best products without having to worry about conflicting warranties later on.¡± To qualify for the expanded warranty options, SKF says customers must use the SKF ScotsealPlusXL, the SKF TF hubcap, and Hyatt branded tapered roller bearings. The SKF wheel end system products can be used with proven industry spindle nut designs and approved lubricants. The five-year warranty option covers parts and labor, and years six and seven are parts-only warranty years, the company says. In expanding the SKF TFO warranty wheel end system package options, SKF also has continued to evaluate and ensure compatibility of its products with the leading automatic tire inflation system, the Meritor Tire Inflation System (MTIS) by PSI. SKF is a factory first-fit on many North American truck manufacturers with the SKF Scotseal PlusXL and TF hubcaps, and given the increasing utilization of automatic tire inflation system, it has been critical in making sure the TFO platform works well with the proven, industry leader in automatic tire inflation system, protecting nearly two million tires on trailers today, the company says. The expansion of SKF TFO warranty wheel end system package options offer several advantages for OEMs and fleets. The package options do not require customers to purchase pre-assembled kits. Instead, customers can continue to purchase and install product as they do today. Fleets can reduce sourcing by using SKF wheel end components on both truck and trailer applications. SKF will also manage the warranty program with minimal inconvenience to the trailer OEM or fleet sales manager.