New generation of lift-axle valve: ILAS-EP

SAF-HOLLAND is continuing to drive forward the development of smart chassis components through its Haldex brand: with the new ILAS-EP lift axle valve, Haldex will be launching a significant further development onto the market in April 2026. The new Integrated Lift Axle System (ILAS) impresses not only with its weight-saving plastic housing, but also with its high level of integration into existing EBS and TRS systems and improved corrosion resistance. A solution that will appeal to original equipment manufacturers of trailers as well as the aftermarket sector.

Although the product name of Haldex’s new ILAS-EP differs from that of the previous ILAS-E by just a single letter, this represents a significant step forward in terms of technical implementation. With the ILAS-EP, the SAF-HOLLAND subsidiary is the first supplier to launch a lift axle valve with a plastic housing. Compared to the die-cast aluminium housing of its predecessor, the ILAS-E, this enables weight savings of around 50 per cent. Siegfried Heer, Senior Commercial Product Manager at Haldex, is convinced: “Haldex has always been a pioneer in air suspension systems, and this expectation also applies to next-generation products. We were the first on the market to introduce a plastic air suspension valve. Now, once again, we are the first supplier to bring the same innovation to the market for lift and lower valves.”

The ILAS-EP is a hidden yet indispensable component of the trailer. It is a valve that controls the air supply to the air spring bellows, which lift the trailer’s lift axles. When power is supplied to the ILAS-EP, the lifting system is filled with air and the axle is raised. When the power supply is interrupted, the axle lowers again. The clever thing about this system is that when the ILAS-EP is connected to a Haldex TRS system (Trailer Stability Control) or EBS (Electronic Braking System), the lift axles can be raised and lowered automatically, as the air suspension reacts to changes in weight within the trailer.

Flexibility was a top priority during the development of Haldex’s new lift axle valve. The ILAS-EP can be connected to any EBS or ABS system, even if these are from other manufacturers. It can be flexibly adapted to a wide range of applications, whilst consistently delivering the same performance and range of functions. Furthermore, different orientations and variants are available for the various platforms. Depending on customer requirements, Haldex offers versions with four, six or seven connections for direct connection to the air spring bellows, as well as variants with different orientations of the solenoid valve connection and 12- and 24-volt versions.

The SAF-HOLLAND subsidiary plans to gradually replace the older versions of ILAS-E and ILAS-E+ with the latest EP version and is confident that this essential yet hidden trailer component will prove its worth through its combination of innovation, flexible design and added value. “The new ILAS-EP is the ideal product for the next generation of our product range. We are confident that it will meet all expectations,” said Heer.