In　order　to　solve　the　problem　of　insufficient　braking　force　and　poor　braking　stability　of　main　brake　system　in　an　articulated　vehicle,　the　liquid-cooled　eddy　current　retarder　and　vehicle　axle　are　integratively　designed　to　construct　an　eddy　current　retarder　axle　for　avoiding　＇impact＇　and　＇jackknifing＇　phenomena　during　the　braking　of　heavy-loaded　trailer.　Bench　test　on　eddy　current　retarder　axle　is　conducted　to　comparatively　analyze　vehicle　braking　stability　with　retarder　installed　on　tractor　and　trailer　under　the　conditions　of　no　load　and　full　load.　The　results　show　that　in　no　load,　especially　full　load　condition,　with　retarder　installed　on　trailer,　the　vehicle　will　have　better　braking　stability　and　safety　than　that　with　retarder　installed　on　tractor.　©　2020,　Society　of　Automotive　Engineers　of　China.　All　right　reserved.