New technology hopes to reduce stopping distances for trucks and trailers.

GM is working on an advanced trailer braking technology that has the potential to dramatically reduce stopping distances. The company says it allows a truck and trailer to stop in the same distance as a truck by itself at its gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).

Utilizing the truck’s eBoost braking system, GM engineers integrated a trailer with a similar eBoost system and upgraded hardware components such as brake rotors, calipers and tires.

With eBoost systems on both the truck and trailer, and proper software to enable them to communicate, the stopping distance of a truck and trailer improved by up to 20% (40 ft) from 97 km to zero when compared to an identical truck and trailer using traditional electric trailer brakes.

“The industry tends to focus on the big towing claim, but the overall towing experience is just as important and every hill climb has a hill to descend on the other side,” said Tim Herrick, Vice President, Global Product Programs. “GM revolutionized the towing space with our industry-exclusive technology available on our full-size pickups, and this advanced trailer braking technology is yet another example of GM’s leadership and a hint at what’s possible in the future.”

The company says their concept is intended to inspire technology partners to make the benefits a reality for truck and trailer owners in the future.