Toward the smart trailer: sensors and connectivity on the Smart Trailer
The semi-trailer is no longer the "silent" part of road transport. It is becoming a continuous source of data on its condition, its load and its location.
Industrias Onyarbi6 min readTruck, trailer and semi-trailer parts
For decades, the tractor unit gained electronics, displays and driver assistance systems, while the semi-trailer remained, in essence, a chassis with axles, brakes and a body. That is changing.
At Industrias Onyarbi we have been manufacturing and selling parts for trucks, trailers and semi-trailers for years, and we know that tomorrow's maintenance will not look like today's. That is why we are developing a new range of parts designed specifically for the Smart Trailer. In this article we explain what a smart trailer is, which sensors make it possible and why the industry is heading in this direction.
The main measurement points on a smart trailer.
What is a smart trailer?
A Smart Trailer is a trailer or semi-trailer equipped with sensors, electronics and communication systems that collect information in real time and send it to the driver, the workshop or the fleet management platform.
Put simply: the trailer "talks". It warns you if a tire is losing pressure, if the brake pads are reaching their limit, if a door has been opened where it shouldn't have been or if the cargo temperature goes out of range. All without anyone having to get out and check.
The difference from a conventional trailer is not in the chassis or the axles, but in the layer of information added on top. And that layer depends on two things: sensors and connectivity.
Sensors: the trailer's "senses"
Sensors are the components that measure what is happening on the trailer. These are the most common ones on a Smart Trailer:
1
Tire pressure and temperature (TPMS)
Monitors the pressure and temperature of each wheel. Incorrect pressure increases fuel consumption, speeds up tire wear and raises the risk of a blowout.
Mandatory on new heavy trailers (GSR2, EU)
2
Brake wear
They measure the thickness of the pads or linings and warn you before they reach their limit. This lets you plan the replacement in the workshop instead of discovering the problem on the road.
3
Load and axle weight
They monitor the weight on each axle, usually based on the air suspension pressure. They help avoid overloading, fines and uneven wear.
4
Doors and opening
They record when and where the doors are opened. They are key to cargo security and to detecting theft or tampering.
5
Cargo temperature
Essential in refrigerated transport. They record the temperature throughout the trip and generate a log that proves the cold chain has been maintained.
6
Hubs and wheel bearings
A bearing that overheats abnormally is the early warning sign of a serious failure. Detecting it in time prevents downtime and damage to the axle.
Connectivity: how the trailer communicates
Measuring is pointless if the information does not reach the people who need it. Semi-trailer connectivity works on several levels:
Level 1
Communication with the tractor unit. Through standardized electrical connectors (such as the 7-pin ISO 7638 connector for the ABS/EBS system) and the truck-trailer data bus. Many alerts appear directly on the driver's dashboard.
Level 2
Short-range wireless. Some sensors, such as wheel sensors, transmit via radio or Bluetooth to a central unit installed on the trailer.
Level 3
Trailer telematics. A unit with GPS and a mobile connection (4G/5G or low-power networks) sends the data to a cloud platform, even when the trailer is uncoupled and parked.
Many fleets have more trailers than tractor units, and a semi-trailer can sit in a yard for days. With its own telematics, the trailer stays located and monitored at all times.
Smart Trailer benefits for fleets and workshops
The smart trailer is not technology for technology's sake. Its benefits are very concrete:
Predictive maintenance
You act when the data shows something is about to fail, not after it has failed. Fewer roadside breakdowns and less downtime.
Greater safety
Continuously monitored tires, brakes and bearings reduce the risk of accidents.
Lower costs
Correct tire pressure cuts fuel consumption, and controlled wear extends component life.
Cargo control
Location, door openings and temperature are all recorded, something end customers value highly.
Better workshop planning
The workshop knows which part it will need before the vehicle arrives, which shortens repair times.
The challenge: parts need to be "smart" too
A Smart Trailer still has axles, brakes, suspension, lighting and electrical systems that wear out and need replacing. But not just any part will do: components must be compatible with the trailer's sensors, connectors and electronics.
A brake pad with a wear sensor, wiring designed to carry data or a suspension component compatible with the load measurement system are examples of parts that tomorrow's maintenance will need more and more.
If the part isn't up to the job, the trailer stops being smart.
Industrias Onyarbi: preparing a new range for the Smart Trailer
To be clear: we do not sell sensors or connectivity systems yet. We would rather do things right than do them fast.
What we are doing is developing a new range of parts for the smart trailer, so that workshops, distributors and fleets can maintain their Smart Trailers with the same reliability they already find in our current catalog. This work builds on what we do best:
Catalog and OEM references
Experience in truck, trailer and semi-trailer parts, with cross-references to original equipment manufacturers.
Technical know-how
Braking, suspension and electrical systems for commercial vehicles: the foundation on which sensors are fitted.
Close to our customers
Working directly with professional customers lets us see what workshops need day to day.
Our goal is clear: when smart trailers become the norm on the road, Industrias Onyarbi will have a range of parts ready to match.
Conclusion: the trailer of the future is already on its way
The Smart Trailer is not a distant idea. EU regulations, pressure to cut costs and demand for traceability are speeding up the arrival of sensors and connectivity on trailers and semi-trailers. For fleets, that means more safety and less downtime; for workshops, new opportunities; and for parts manufacturers, the responsibility to be ready.
At Industrias Onyarbi, we're already working on it
Follow us to hear the latest on our new range for the smart trailer. And if you have any questions about our current catalog, our sales team is here to help.
It is a trailer or semi-trailer with sensors and communication systems that report its condition, load and location in real time.
What sensors does a smart trailer have?
The most common are tire pressure (TPMS), brake wear, axle load, door opening, cargo temperature and wheel bearing temperature sensors.
Is TPMS mandatory on trailers?
In the EU, the General Safety Regulation requires tire pressure monitoring systems on newly registered heavy trailers.
Does Industrias Onyarbi sell trailer sensors?
Not yet. We are developing a new range of parts focused on the Smart Trailer, which we will be launching soon.
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