Patented Anti-Jackknife Technology
From Unavoidable Risk to Preventable Outcome
Eliminating One of Trucking’s Most Catastrophic Loss Events
Improving Roadway Safety for Drivers and the Public
Reducing High-Severity Commercial Vehicle Losses for Fleets and Insurers
THE PROBLEM
Trailer jackknife events remain among the most dangerous and costly failures in commercial trucking. These incidents can result in multi-vehicle collisions, severe injuries and fatalities, cargo loss, and substantial liability exposure—often reaching six- to seven-figure claim severity, with additional risk of nuclear verdict outcomes.
Despite advances in braking, electronic stability control, and telematics-based safety systems, most existing solutions remain reactive or predictive, rather than preventative. They do not physically intervene to stop loss-of-control scenarios during sudden braking, low-traction conditions, or dynamic roadway disturbances.
THE SOLUTION
Our patented NO JACK Jackknife Prevention System enhances trailer stability by actively controlling articulation between the tractor and trailer during forward motion. The system mitigates instability at its earliest stage — before a jackknife event can fully develop.
NO JACK engages dynamically based on vehicle operating conditions, including speed and ABS activation signals, maintaining trailer articulation within defined, recoverable limits under braking and low-traction conditions.
Preventing Real-World Losses
NO JACK physically intervenes in vehicle dynamics to prevent loss events in real time—
even when human or environmental factors fail.
See NO JACK in action during preliminary testing (video below).
SAFETY Redundancy
independent Operation
NO JACK operates as an independent, trailer-mounted control module, enhancing stability through automated response to vehicle conditions without requiring driver input.
Using wheel speed data, the system estimates trailer dynamics and detects braking engagement in real time. Operation does not depend on external telematics, network connectivity, or truck-to-trailer data exchange.
Fail-Safe Operation:
Air Pressure Loss
In the unlikely event of trailer service line air-pressure loss, NO JACK defaults to a fail-safe mode. As the trailer’s spring brakes automatically engage, the system smoothly disengages—ensuring compatibility with existing braking safeguards and preserving predictable vehicle behavior during emergency conditions.
Fail-Safe Operation:
Power Loss
In the event of electrical power loss to the trailer, NO JACK gracefully disengages while the braking system responds automatically. This ensures a seamless transition to the vehicle’s inherent fail-safe braking behavior without introducing instability.
NO JACK is integrated into the trailer structure at the OEM level. The system utilizes a pneumatically actuated retention pin that engages the fifth-wheel throat geometry, constraining articulation within a controlled range while preserving coupling integrity.
Positioned between the trailer frame rails and mounted to the apron structure, NO JACK maintains a low-profile installation beneath the cargo floor. The system remains inactive during low-speed and reverse operations, ensuring unrestricted articulation for standard coupling and maneuvering.
By addressing the root cause of jackknife incidents, NO JACK delivers measurable risk reduction—helping protect lives, reduce claim severity, and increase confidence among drivers and the public.
The kingpin and fifth-wheel coupling system remains the global standard for articulated trailers, valued for its strength, reliability, and universal adoption. NO JACK integrates seamlessly with existing North American and European fifth-wheel architectures, preserving this proven foundation while enhancing stability and control.
COMPATIBILITY WITH EXISTING SYSTEMS
Configurable Articulation Control
NO JACK allows for configurable articulation limits within the fifth-wheel throat, enabling fleets to tailor allowable trailer rotation to specific operational requirements. The system can be set within a range of approximately 10° to 15°, aligning with recoverable articulation thresholds consistent with FMCSA safety guidance.
normal roadway mobility
NO JACK preserves sufficient articulation for normal driving maneuvers, including lane changes, tight exit ramps, and complex interchanges. At the same time, it maintains controlled limits that support vehicle stability during sudden or emergency maneuvers.
LANE CHANGES
ENTRY & EXIT RAMPS
CLOVERLEAF & COMPLICATED RAMPS
Practical APPLICATIONS
AUTONOMOUS AND ADVANCED SYSTEMS
As the industry advances toward automation and driver-assistance technologies, trailer stability remains a critical factor in overall system reliability. Adverse weather, roadway hazards, and unpredictable traffic conditions continue to challenge even the most advanced control systems.
NO JACK enhances stability at the trailer interface, maintaining secure articulation under dynamic conditions. By addressing one of the most critical failure modes in articulated vehicles, the system supports a safer and more resilient transition toward increasingly automated freight operations.
Under the Hood
The NO JACK retention pin is manufactured from AISI 8630H alloy steel—the same class of high-strength material commonly used in kingpin applications. With an ultimate tensile strength of approximately 150,000 psi and a yield strength of approximately 115,000 psi, the component is engineered for high-load durability and long-term structural reliability.
The unit body is constructed from high-tensile steel and securely mounted to the trailer apron assembly. NO JACK is designed exclusively for OEM integration during trailer manufacturing and is not intended for retrofit installation (see FAQ section).
Compact and efficient in form, the system has a total weight of under 45 pounds, minimizing impact on payload capacity and fuel economy while maintaining structural performance.
U.S. UTILITY PATENT: 8,960,703
Partner With Us to Redefine Risk
NO JACK is actively engaging with insurance carriers, reinsurers, OEM trailer manufacturers, and commercial fleet operators to evaluate and deploy next-generation trailer stability technology.
We are seeking strategic partners who are focused on:
Reducing high-severity commercial auto losses
Improving fleet insurability and underwriting performance
Advancing safety innovation through real-world deployment
Partnership opportunities
Fleet pilot programs to validate real-world performance and risk reduction
Insurance collaboration to quantify loss mitigation and support new underwriting models
OEM integration discussions for factory-level deployment in new trailer production
Whether you are a carrier seeking to reduce exposure, a manufacturer advancing trailer safety systems, or a fleet operator prioritizing operational risk reduction, NO JACK provides a platform for measurable, active loss prevention.
We welcome the opportunity to collaborate on deployment, validation, and scaling of this technology across the commercial transportation ecosystem.