Electric motor assist

[Antichrist]

I think there was a Sahara expedition with powered trailers also.

Yeah, then Squadron Leader Tom Sheppard led a joint Services Expedition of 4 Land Rover 101 FC's, 3 of which had Rubery Owen powered trailers, from the Atlantic to the Red Sea.

As I recall, in the early years of development of the powered trailers they had issues of the trailer trying to overtake the tow vehicle and causing instability, the rear of the tow vehicle getting pushed off track.

 

[Lynn]

For what it's worth, don't forget that the Maixmog has a hydraulically-driven trailer. Doubt it's ever been field tested though. Tech Specs here.

Drive and Suspension System
25.1. Hydraulic Drive System – Multi mode motion or load synchronized hydraulic drive system which may be powered from the onboard 25Kw diesel generator engine, via the external hydraulic fluid power connections, or both. The drive system is only engaged at speeds below 30Mph for sever off road operation. Has independent low speed (2Mph) crawler mode (with hydraulic steering) for trailer positioning without a tow vehicle.
25.2. Suspension
25.2.1. Computer controlled air suspension and leveling system (Independent, or synchronized to Maximog)
25.2.2. Air/Hydraulic heavy duty shock absorbers coordinated with air suspension
25.2.3. CTIS – Central tire inflation system (Independent or synchronized to Maximog)

 

[FreeManDan]

Check it!

I'm bringing this thread back to life after I saw this on Currie Enterprise's facebook page

Bad news is, the axle is upside down in the pic, notice how currie is upside down. It is used in some kinda industrial application and the massive electric motor is below the axle center line. But currie says this thing has been custom made for a customer of theirs for over 20 years, so the technology for an electric 3rd member is there.

 

[EWS]

Powered axle trailer, thoughts!!!

Hydralic assist, as per the John Deere front wheel drive hydralic assist, this was available in the UK a few years ago, as part of the line up of 4WD tractors. These used swash plate drives in the front wheel hubs.

My idea, I am not a techi so don't flame me !!!!!. Just an idea !!!

Take a rear axle from a 4WD truck to match the prime mover, fix a hydraulic motor to the diff input shaft, pipe to prime mover, with snap on connectors. On prime mover attach pump. Pump could be powered via a friction drive wheel on an axle wheel. Belt/chain drive from prop shaft, electromagnetic clutch driven from a PTO shaft. Okay it would take some thought to work out the pressures and flow rates, ect, along with cooling of the hydraulic fluid. You couldf it an electromagnetic clutch between the motor and the axle input shaft, this would help prevent over heating of the hydralic fluid, when the pump was not engaged.

Needless to say thinking this would only be used in low range gear use .

I think the Swedish army fitted hydraulic assist motors to some of their heavy guns, so they could use trucks similar to Unimogs to tow them across rough terrain

Just some thoughts!!!!!!