I'm looking at a 2004 kenworth w900.It has the chalmers rear suspension under it.My questions are what are the pros and cons with this suspension? I dont know anything about them. Do they give alot of problems?

 

Can't tell you anything about the truck suspensions they make, but I've installed a few Chalmers under trailers I've built. Very heavily built and I've never heard from the customers since they took their trailers home, so I guess the suspensions are holding up!

I CAN tell you that the service people at Chalmers aren't the most friendly or helpful in the world tho. They gave me the info I was looking for but not before they made sure I knew I was inconveniencing them and that it was a big favor they were doing for me by taking my call.

 

Ok thanks for the reply.I guess I should have also said its a factory built tri axle dump truck.

 

I wouldn't be afraid of it, if that's what you're asking. I'm sure someone has another opinion on them tho. You might try PM'ing Heavytruckmech about it. Tim has seen more stuff in his career than I have!

 

Thanks will do that.I was told they wouldnt stay lined up and would make the truck run sideways down the road.

 

from what I have seen, they are alot better than hendrickson walking beam. chalmers does ride rough empty. the company that I contract to has some western star day cabs pulling 24 to 40 foot dumps with no problems.

 

In the spring and brake shop I worked in we rarely seen the Chalmers in there. The big oilfield bed trucks up here mostly use the Chalmers and they move really heavy stuff(lots of offroad). These are tandem/tandem with 58,000 lb Clark axles and if they run the Chalmers I would have no problem recommending it to you.
Might wanna buy a kidney belt too.

 

Ok thanks everyone for the advice.Sounds like they are pretty good suspensions.

 

I have 46k Chalmers on the rear of my 07 Kenworth and absolutley love it. I will take the rough ride any day over the saling on the open sea of a air bagged dump truck. Actually out of all our vehicles, I think that the KW rides nicer, and steers better than our Dodges do!

 

Chalmers suspensions, specifically on trucks like the 2004 Kenworth W900, generally receive mixed reviews. Users highlight their durability and robustness for heavy-duty applications, such as with tandem/tandem configurations on oilfield bed trucks. These suspensions are noted for their ability to handle off-road conditions and heavy loads well, which is crucial for vehicles in demanding industries.

However, several drawbacks are also mentioned. Chalmers suspensions can offer a rougher ride when the truck is empty compared to other systems like the Hendrickson walking beam. This can be a significant issue for drivers who spend a lot of time in their vehicles, as it might affect comfort during long hauls.

Anecdotal experiences suggest that while Chalmers suspensions are reliable, they might require careful alignment to prevent the vehicle from tracking incorrectly, which could lead to the truck running sideways. This aligns with some users reporting alignment issues, but these do not seem prevalent across all users.

In my experience with truck suspensions, Chalmers is generally respected for its strength and reliability in tough conditions, though it may not be the top choice for everyone, especially if the ride quality and driver comfort are primary concerns. When considering a truck with a Chalmers suspension, it's advisable to assess how much of its life will be spent loaded versus empty and to prepare for potential adjustments and maintenance to ensure optimal performance.