Hardware and software advances in physical simulation technology have enabled the use of simulators to accurately and directly reproduce (control) local accelerations, strains, and displacements on a test specimen. This paper discusses the validation of a motion base simulator which applies this technology to the laboratory testing of lunette trailers. Laboratory testing of trailers involves the reproduction of vertical wheel spindle acceleration plus vertical, fore-aft and side-to-side acceleration or strain at the lunette (hitch). Two methods of controlling the simulator at the lunette are presented and comparisons are made to the results obtained from proving ground testing.
