Technology

1. Are the RollTek seat pretensioners the same as those that are used in passenger vehicles?
RollTek pretensioners pull seat belts tight in the event of a crash to reduce occupant movement, and they are similar to the pretensioners used in passenger vehicles.

2. Where is the roll sensor located?
The roll sensor is about half the size of a cigar box and can be located in various locations in the cab. In heavy truck applications the roll sensor is typically mounted on the floor under the driver seat. Placards may be placed on or near the seat base to notify personnel of the sensor’s presence and to prevent unintentional damage from drilling, riveting or other equipment maintenance/installation activities. The roll sensor itself is labeled with a visible warning label that advises of the risks of mishandling the sensor while under power and connected to the safety devices.

3. What fills the airbag?
The seat-mounted airbag fills with a gas mixture comprised mostly of argon. The gas temperature of the new, hybrid gas-generators is significantly lower than that used by traditional airbags. These lower temperatures mean that the airbags are made of thinner fabrics, eliminating the need for heat shields found in earlier airbags and resulting in a lighter, more compact airbag module.

4. How does the seat pull-down work?
The RollTek roll sensor triggers the seat pull-down when it detects an imminent roll. The seat pull-down is connected to both the inner-connect point bar (ICP bar) on the seat and to the seat belt. The pull-down is powered by an inflator (similar to those used in airbags) that pretensions the seat belt and pulls the suspension seat to its lowest position.

Deployment

5. How long does it take the RollTek components to deploy?
The entire process from activation to deployment takes less than a quarter of a second.

6. How does the roll sensor know when to activate the protective devices?
The roll sensor deploys RollTek’s protective components based on the vehicle’s angular position and the angular rate, defined as how quickly the vehicle is moving through the 90-degree roll. When an imminent rollover is detected, up to three RollTek components are deployed.

7. Will RollTek deploy if I take a ramp too fast?
No, the RollTek roll sensor only deploys the safety systems when a rollover crash is taking place. The “smart” sensor is programmed to constantly monitor and analyze factors such as the vehicle’s side angle (or tilt) and roll rate. RollTek will ONLY deploy when the rollover is unrecoverable.

8. Will the RollTek system deploy in a frontal collision?
If the vehicle is available with both LifeGuard Technologies RollTek side roll protection and 4Front^TM frontal crash protection in partnership with the OEM on the vehicle, both systems will deploy. If the vehicle is equipped with a frontal sensor from another manufacturer, RollTek is not designed to deploy in a frontal collision.

9. Don’t roll stability systems make rollover protection unnecessary?
Roll stability systems help drivers maintain control of their vehicles during jackknife and rollover events by applying brakes and reducing speed to help the vehicle maintain its upright position. Electronic stability systems go a step further by helping the driver maintain control by applying the brakes and reducing speed to better align the vehicle with an appropriate path of travel in conditions where the truck may be slipping, skidding or spinning. According to Bendix, stability systems are estimated to reduce commercial vehicle incidents by 10 to 60 percent, depending on a variety of factors including the route, driving conditions, traffic conditions, driver distractions and vehicle maintenance.

When rollovers cannot be prevented through improved driving behavior and the use of stability systems, RollTek combines side airbag protection with the latest advancements in seat belt technology to significantly reduce the potential for death or serious injury in a rollover.

10. If RollTek deploys, what do I need to know about rescue?
LifeGuard Technologies offers an educational program for first responders to assist them at the scene of an accident in which one or more vehicles involved have the LifeGuard RollTek side roll protection system installed. The Emergency Response Guide (ERG) provides guidance, recommended practices and procedures for dealing with a RollTek system that has been breached, burned, deployed or has the potential to deploy during normal rescue and extrication activities.

Function

11. Will the system deploy if a driver is not wearing a seat belt?
Yes, the system will deploy regardless of whether the driver is wearing a seat belt. However, the RollTek system relies on seat belts as its core restraining device. Although an unbelted passenger may be afforded some protection by the airbags, it is important that all vehicle occupants are seated and belted at all times.

12. How do I know if my RollTek system is operating properly?
During normal operation, the roll sensor constantly monitors the status of each component of the RollTek system. If the sensor determines that something is not right, a fault light will be illuminated to notify the driver that a potential problem exists. When the fault light is illuminated, a factory-trained service technician must check the system.

13. If my truck has been in a rollover, will I need to replace the RollTek system?
For your own safety, RollTek components are designed for one use. Should your vehicle be involved in a rollover, the RollTek system will need to be replaced. Do not attempt to repair or restore any damaged components yourself.

14. Does RollTek meet federal standards?
There are currently no Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) that require anything more than a two-point belt for vehicles weighing more than 8,500 pounds. RollTek was developed with the guidance of Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) standards for the design, manufacturing, operation and maintenance of commercial vehicles.

Availability and Service Life

15. Which manufacturers offer RollTek-equipped trucks?
Today, Freightliner offers RollTek on the Cascadia cab.

16. How much does the RollTek system cost?
The cost of the system varies. Please contact your truck manufacturer for more information.

17. Can RollTek be retrofitted into older trucks?
While RollTek could be retrofitted into older trucks, the cost of testing and retrofitting is typically more expensive than buying a new vehicle already equipped with RollTek. If you would like more information on retrofitting, call 1.866.RollTek.

18. What is the service life of RollTek?
The RollTek system has a 20-year service life. Contact the manufacturer of your truck for more warranty information.