They removed the most enjoyable aspect, which was putting it in park, and replaced it with an entirely electronic system, which is a complete waste.
Posted by GroundbreakingSir386@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 128 comments
BrandontheCDLguy@reddit
Imagine not being able to set your brakes or release them because of an electrical issue with these switches
ratzm@reddit
You mean like when my whole digital instrument panel went blank for 10 seconds while I was driving and I had no idea if it was going to come back. No idea why it did that and it hasn’t done it again
JustaHarmfulShadow@reddit
Did that in my t680 when I was playing with the little scroll wheel and I guess overloaded the computer and made it reset, stupidly done it a few times but it's hard to do and was unreliable in doing it.
TactualTransAm@reddit
International?
FWD_to_twin_turbo@reddit
My guess is Paccar. Mine does that from time to time as well.
TactualTransAm@reddit
I'm a fleet tech and we've got like 5 trucks we have had cluster issues out of
ratzm@reddit
It’s weird. Mine has only done it once. I’m glad it’s only been once but… ?
Beanz_detected@reddit
Hello, it is I, my dad's electrician for one trip where the cruise control in his 4th gen Cascadia died so I pulled the fuse on the move
ratzm@reddit
Kenworth T680
north_coast_nomad@reddit
kw has that issue too
DennisReynoldsGG@reddit
Already had it happen. Got out to look on a close quarter LTL delivery. Had to restart and thankfully they started working. It was an embarrassing 30 seconds as I’m sure nobody at the intersection had any idea what I was doing.
Emergency_Ad1152@reddit
As opposed to drivers forgetting to set their brakes and killing someone? I think this is the way to go tbh.
LoopDoGG79@reddit
Pulling your brakes to park is as second nature as walking. That is a exceedingly rare thing to happen for good reason. If you have issues forgetting to set your brakes, cease to going behind the wheel, 100% serious
DolbyFox@reddit
Could be as easy as a servo punching the backside of the yellow button if the door's opened without setting the brakes. But realistically, it's a minor issue, generally solved by the horn blowing when the door's opened. This is not about safety, it's about cutting costs not running air lines to the dashboard
BrandontheCDLguy@reddit
New freightliner trucks blow the horn if the door is opened without the brakes set.
Also, if you can’t remember to set your brakes, you shouldn’t be behind the wheel.
Distinct-Event-7472@reddit
This is true but sometimes it just does even if the breaks are set it’s the most annoying thing
commandercrackbutt@reddit
You can add western star in that too, great heart attack when you accidentally don’t close your door fully.
Emergency_Ad1152@reddit
Humans aren't perfect, especially when overworked, stressed and sleep deprived.
All it takes is 4 seconds of that truck rolling on it's own and it kills someone. Just happened not too long at a Houston rail yard.
Most new vehicles already have this anyways and you don't see them failing everyday.
Plus you still have your service brakes, if the switch fails.
DrillTheThirdHole@reddit
if you're too tired within the legal HOS to remember to set your brakes then you shouldnt be driving either. why do we have to outsource thinking to robots? why does every dumb thing that could possibly happen have to be solved with technology, instead of simply setting ANY expectations whatsoever for drivers? the only people this system will help is idiots who shouldn't be driving anyway.
Emergency_Ad1152@reddit
You're absolutely correct, they shouldn't be driving but guess what? They are and they kill people and damage property.
TactualTransAm@reddit
You're getting shunned but you're correct. I'm a fleet tech. I don't like these electronic ones either. But they exist for a reason.
Emergency_Ad1152@reddit
Yeah, people just don't like change. They can argue with stats and research if they want, but these safety measures reduce accidents, fatalities, and accident liability. Something trucking and insurance companies love to hear.
devilinblue22@reddit
A lot less humans would be overworked and sleep deprived if we took an honest look at the industry and HOS instead of adding things that attempt to drive the truck for us.
polarjunkie@reddit
Internationals have been doing that for years but it never works which is why you see so many internationals driving through parking lots honking every second
Crashy1620@reddit
I’ve seen several that set the brakes if you open the door
Ok-Cantaloupe7472@reddit
If you forget to set you brakes than just go home and trade you volvo for a pedal bike.
V1a9is@reddit
New Volvos set their brakes when you unfasten the seatbelt or open the doors.
The-Shartist@reddit
Fuck that
Radiant_Swan187@reddit
Cause thats definitely a thing thats happens
Emergency_Ad1152@reddit
60 yr old driver just killed a 23 yr old at Houston rail yard.
KilljoyTheTrucker@reddit
Those precautions are more to stop dumbasses from pulling out before they're told too.
Forgetting your valves is super rare, which is why it's such a big deal when it happens, especially if someone is injured or killed by it.
Plus, remote switch valves probably increase the risk anyway. Especially after the truck is hitting that super mega 4ish year flip mark.
Independent_Leg7358@reddit
I froget my valves all the time.... Driving off in park is always fun!
MarmotWorldOrder@reddit
The Love's mechanics in Amarillo were talking about someone who forgot to set their brakes and crashed into a fence.
Independent_Leg7358@reddit
So many ways to accomplish that. Like a simple valve plumbed into the parking brake removal supply line. All you gotta do is dump the air out and the brake sets & stays set. If there is a failure, the driver can simply turn the valve off manually.The problem with this is its another failure opportunity. Removing a tried and true simple system is shear stupidity.
TiddybraXton333@reddit
Tf lol that’s not happening
DrillTheThirdHole@reddit
promise you the electric system will fail way more often than people forget to set their brakes. it's a hard coded process in any driver with more than like, a month behind the wheel.
turtlepowr89@reddit
I’ve used these on just a couple occasions and each time had instances where it wouldn’t release the trailer break unless my foot wasn’t touching the service break. Shit is bogus
LonleyWolf420@reddit
Right and me and my buddy have been debating what this means if you have an air leak in the trailer.. more than once I've been able to tell there was a leak because the valve kept hissing (shop found the leak in the hose "in" the trailer) I never even heard it.. the only reason I knew was the valve hissing randomly..
AutumnBrooks2021@reddit
Thank the new generation of drivers that can’t do the basics so now the truck will do it for you. I’m glad I still drive an older, well maintained pre emission truck without all the safety crap that doesn’t work right and def. I always laugh when I’m getting fuel and one of these new drivers pull in to get fuel, they forget to set their brakes and the horn goes off and keeps going off until they finally realize to set their brakes, they’re the exact driver that needs a truck to do virtually everything for them, bc they will never get how to properly operate a truck.
Distinct-Event-7472@reddit
Ms perfect over here never made a mistake/accident ever, humans aren’t perfect don’t blame the drivers blame the corporations forcing this upon the new generation if anything it’s the old gen’s fault
AutumnBrooks2021@reddit
That’s the dumbest take I’ve ever heard in my life lmao. You’re the truck driver, you’re the one that’s responsible for everything you do in the truck. The company doesn’t forget to set the parking brakes, the driver does. You’re old enough to stand up for yourself. The companies are simply buying trucks that virtually do everything for the driver bc the new generation of drivers are the ones that constantly make mistakes and accidents all the time. I don’t need a truck to automatically set the brakes for me, never have and never will, I’ve never had a problem with forgetting to set my brakes. The difference between the old gen truck drivers and new generation truck drivers is the newer drivers have to be constantly coddled and told what to do and the older generation doesn’t. The newer generation thinks they know everything and the older generation has the experience and knowledge. I’ve had a clean driving record and company safety record for decades, why, because I take my time and I don’t make dumb mistakes.
Distinct-Event-7472@reddit
Ah yes ms perfect, perfection in every aspect of life, I think this is an awful attempt at trying to gatekeep trucking, I’m sure some dude older than you would of said something about how trucking is easier and how your gen has it easy
AutumnBrooks2021@reddit
No one is trying to gate keep trucking. The new generation of drivers lack patience, knowledge and experience. Always quick to blame others for their failures. Newer drivers have more access today to better equipment, better training and more technology such as GPS and smartphones that my generation didn’t have. Yet the older generation survived without all of that because we had to. Companies switched to automatic transmissions because newer drivers couldn’t shift gears properly without tearing up the clutches and transmissions so the companies started to buy automatic trucks to solve that problem and ended up saving money. Just like the automatic parking brakes, who’s more likely to forget to set their brakes, a new driver or an experienced driver? A new driver. Same thing with lane assist, side view cameras and cruise control braking assist, all technology geared toward preventing less accidents caused by new drivers. New drivers cause more accidents/incidents and equipment damage vs experienced drivers, that’s just a simple fact. You can argue all you want but the facts are the facts.
Distinct-Event-7472@reddit
Ok now your using logic
RudeOrSarcasticPt2@reddit
You're*
My granddad drove a truck when he lived in Chicago in the early 1900s. He also drove a regular run to Kentucky to pick up illegal moonshine during Prohibition. I believe he was a truck driver in his home country, too, before emigrating to the US.
The truck he drove was a primitive thing compared to today's rigs. I doubt too many current truckers could handle one of those trucks. That isn't an insult, it's a fact-based opinion.
Distinct-Event-7472@reddit
Thank you for proving my point
RudeOrSarcasticPt2@reddit
Good to hear, the golden age of trucking is behind us. Reading about all this unecessary digital crap makes me glad I vot out when I did.
AutumnBrooks2021@reddit
The golden age has definitely come and gone and is never coming back. It’s pretty sad, used to be a lot of fun out on the road. Now it’s full of clueless new drivers that can’t figure out the fact that they can’t pass another truck that’s governed just as fast as they are.
Tromboneofsteel@reddit
My truck takes like 10 seconds to realize the brake's been pulled, so if I just yank them and hop out I get the horn. It's annoying as fuck.
AutumnBrooks2021@reddit
Can you imagine taking your seatbelt off so you can turn your body easier when backing into a difficult dock or parking space and your truck sets the brakes? I think this tech is absolutely stupid. I don’t need a truck deciding when to set the brakes for me when I can do that myself.
TwoToadsKick@reddit
Lol.
Sea_Examination_9196@reddit
And there's going to be a shit-ton of stupid ass companies buying/leasing these for their drivers!!!!
freightliner_fever_@reddit
can you set the tractor brake independently from the trailers with this? it’d be annoying if it automatically set both. it’d make winter a drag (literally)
Ok_Cost_3994@reddit
In the new internationals you can.
PGunne@reddit
Not a trucker, but would these just control some solenoids to apply/release the air? I would think you would still get the (or some) audio feedback. (Although, being a boomer, when looking for new car recently, I automatically ruled-out the ones with extensive electronics (like the last 5+ years) - too much to go wrong at my age and income.)
LoopDoGG79@reddit
I see things like this, I thank the good Lord my company put me in the oldest truck in the fleet, 2018 Freightliner, 10 speed transmission, 522,000 miles plus. Not a sensor to be seen, mainly analog dash, small old LCD screen for other things outside of RPM and speedometer. I've driven the newer trucks, no thanks, I'll stick with old Bessie
MisterSirEsq@reddit
Be awesome when you can't set your brakes to park or you can't push the brakes in to leave because the electronics aren't working.
Smart-Atmosphere4797@reddit
I just got done getting stranded today because my brand new, 8,000 mile 2026 International LT was having electrical issues with the gauge cluster. When the gauge cluster starts having electrical issues, these stupid fucking buttons won’t let you release the brakes to get to somewhere safe. Absolutely HORRIBLE idea.
7thDaydream@reddit
New cars, semis, farm equipment, houses, literally anything new is just garbage. Humanity could have stopped developing new tech in the year 2000 and we would have been better off.
PowerUpTheLighthouse@reddit
The future is cold, dim, and detached, anybody else noticing this trend?
Tromboneofsteel@reddit
Been noticing it for 15 years. The world really did end in 2012 and we're just riding on momentum alone.
Frankus44@reddit
Makes me appreciate my 07 Peterbilt shit box. No def, no electronics. Smells like a damp basement with rickety seats but 1.5 mil miles and never run into any issues other than basic wear and tear
Tromboneofsteel@reddit
If I ever get out of company trucks, I just want an old beater with 3 pedals. Work trucks should look and feel like work trucks, not luxury sedans.
Tromboneofsteel@reddit
I love replacing every mechanical system with electric! I love when the truck has more control over the throttle than me! I love having low quality cameras instead of real mirrors! I love having a digital dash with a 3fps refresh rate! I hate tactile feedback! Everything is better when it has the responsiveness of a bowl of pudding!
-Some design committee somewhere
CashWideCock@reddit
Self driving trucks can’t push/pull the air valves, but a computer can operate these new “valves”. Just another step for self driving trucks. All this new stuff is being perfected by us current drivers.
ratzm@reddit
So when the computer fails it won’t just be the instrument panel not working it will be the truck crashing
LilFunyunz@reddit
Yeah but if the costs associated with failures (accidents, insurance, etc.) will be less than the labor they replace, then it will happen
HelloGlarc@reddit
Absolutely it could crash and splatter 100 toddlers at one time and the millions and millions paying out will be just a drop in the bucket
ScaryfatkidGT@reddit
Just like automatic transmissions and electric steering…
NoRelation1491@reddit
Thank god they cant do a lot of final mile stuff either :)
Quynn_Stormcloud@reddit
New “Captcha” method unlocked.
Socketz11@reddit
Do you have any idea how many drivers are going to forget to set their brakes because if this overengineering? The action of pushing/pulling and the rush of air is a reminder for some drivers, without it? On the bright side we will have some fun new videos to watch soon.
Stale-Jello@reddit
Wait untill you see the new "infotainment" that has the HVAC controls as part of the touchscreen.
Distinct-Event-7472@reddit
No offense but what’s wrong with an infotainment/touchscreen/hvac controls
BigCountry2022@reddit
The touchscreen goes out, no HVAC control
bentstrider83@reddit
Starting to think these aren't actual human engineers designing this. But some algorithm.
quackl11@reddit
This is why I hate push to start, here is something so satisfying of finishing a 14 hour drive or however long and just clicking the key off and knowing it's over
Distinct-Event-7472@reddit
🤨
quackl11@reddit
I know it's not the same thing but you're bitching about buttons im bitching about buttons same same but different
qaf0v4vc0lj6@reddit
These are dope as fuck. My 2026 Mack Pioneer has them, and I wouldn't want to go back to the old ones for anything.
PeteinaPete@reddit
Im English and I’m not sure what you are saying. ‘Dope as fuck’ is this good or bad ?
qaf0v4vc0lj6@reddit
It means amazing as fuck in American.
december151791@reddit
Please stop making our country look stupid.
Distinct-Event-7472@reddit
Damn we got Albert Einstein in the sub
Natste1s4real@reddit
I hate automation, but this is one I welcome. I have a degenerative problem with my hands and this is the only aspect of trucking that was really painful for me. Pulling to apply often hurt my hand when the button popped.
psychic_legume@reddit
You can buy a little rubber boot for the back side, cushions the pop really well
Distinct-Event-7472@reddit
He can use feet
Vanstrucker2222@reddit
I’m still driving my 03 Toyota, roll down windows. I dread the day I have to get a newer car.
CrashingTiger@reddit
Great. Well, add one more reason why i will be sad if my company ever retires my glider.
Lifeofthedon@reddit
Wait till your electronics screen go blank and lock up your brakes to jackknife never again with kenworths or peterbilts
Hungry_Ad_4170@reddit
Na I ain’t driving no shit like that
Virel_360@reddit
Now you have a high value load how can you equip/install your air cuff lock?
unloader86@reddit
Just another thing to fail/break. The mechanical valves for the win here imo.
PeakNo6892@reddit
Tbf I've had to replace 2 mechanical valves in my 3 years driving.
Though I guarantee they were cheaper combined than one of these
KingHauler@reddit
"We made a shitfuckton of money this year, instead of paying our drivers, should we waste it on more gadgets that literally no one wants?"
Abubble13@reddit
It's done that way so when a computer operates the truck.
Vast_Obligation8213@reddit
That was my thoughts as well.
OneMulatto@reddit
Slowly but surely. You are right.
Different-Key-4331@reddit
I'd probably enjoy this when negative degrees outside and fingers are frozen.
PlsCheckThisBush@reddit
These are dangerously unsafe. If the seatbelt comes undone it’ll set the brakes whether you’re doing 5 or 55mph. Imagine when (not if) the seatbelt sensor fails and throws the brakes on and now you’re stuck in a death trap unable to move and waiting for someone to run into you at full speed and take your life because some engineers and lobbyists got together to lower the bar and let unskilled/unsafe drivers behind the wheel and this is what we’ve come to.
Already had this happen with a brand new Peterbilt and almost lost an entire set of brand new trucks from it. PACCAR had to buy 24 new tires from that and were pissed. Between these and the digital mirrors we’re going backwards to push profits for our overlords so we can pay drivers less.
Independent_Leg7358@reddit
I mean you should have a 3/4 ratcheting wrench or at least an adjustable in the truck. Caging bolts are required to be on the cans (useless in the salt belt). A couple turns of a wrench and no more parking/breakaway/emergency brake. I'm honestly surprised DOT requires the caging bolts, but not the basic hand tool to install them. Guess the regs were written when people carried tools.
Ok-Cantaloupe7472@reddit
The dumbest reg where i am is every brake must have a caging bolt it isnt sufficient to carry caging bolts. By the time theyre needed theyre seized in the pot anyway
PlsCheckThisBush@reddit
I agree with you. I do carry them, (driveaway), your average day cab driver doesn’t. You don’t need a 3/4” ratchet if the air lines aren’t severed, releasing the brakes will allow you to hand tighten it. But how is your normal driver going to free himself from traffic with a set of doubles/triples like this? He’s going to spend hours ratcheting if it comes to that and probably end up dead from being run over by that time. The problem is the sheer amount of force and how long the caging bolts have to be to overcome the parking brake. Plus, you’re going to need either an ultra-deep socket or prepare to spend 30+ minutes on each can with a ratcheting wrench or pass-thru socket since a normal socket will bottom out long before that. It’s not a couple turns, it’s about 50 for each can. I do it every day, and with a 1400 ft/lb Milwaukee high torque impact it takes a lot of force to overcome.
But I believe they should train drivers on the basics for stuff like this. Caging bolts and tow pins are for the wrecker that ends up saving their asses, not for the driver to fumblefuck their way out of a situation they have no idea what to do with, especially these 400 lb folks that couldn’t even reach the brake chambers if they wanted to.
Independent_Leg7358@reddit
They aren't that hard to crank by hand. The reason why your impact struggles is because impacts are designed to provide extremely high torque but only momentarily. All of my trucks have a set of new bolts in the cab along with a 3/4 ratcheting wrench. If you can get some air to the brakes thats great, however it doesn't take that many turns to start releasing the brakes. Realize you don't need to fully release the brake to drag it out of traffic, just enough so you can drag it without skidding the tires. Only need about 5 turns to release the brakes. Just gotta get the spring back a little from where it made contact. The other tool? Needle nose viscripts. Apply brake air, cage brake, clamp line.
PlsCheckThisBush@reddit
I’m not sure what trucks you have but on the PACCAR trucks (Pete/KW) it’s about 20 turns of 150 (+/-) ft/lbs before the S-cams even start moving. But I’m more concerned about the doubles/triples doing it on the fly when this electronic shitstorm fails, because those are the companies that are ordering these things and they have quite a few of them to do.
Independent_Leg7358@reddit
I've done old internationals, new internationals, freightliner, and multiple trailers. It's definitely nowhere close to 150 ft lbs and it's not that many turns. You don't gotta fully release them either, just pull it back a little to release the pressure on the S cam.
PlsCheckThisBush@reddit
I’ll have to grab a torque wrench and make a video next time I’m in the yard to check. The brand new ones from KW/Pete are insanely tight. And I’m talking about 20 turns before the S-cam even moves at all, not fully releasing it or anything. But again, for the guys with doubles/triples, what are these companies expecting them to do? Run out, chock the wheels, and hit up 12/16+ brake chambers before getting hit?
Independent_Leg7358@reddit
Make sure you are using new bolts, not ones rusted on the can too! Also, dollies don't have parking brakes, so doubles is only 6 cans, tripples 8.
PlsCheckThisBush@reddit
For sure, they’re all brand new right out of the factory. I don’t touch anything that isn’t new. And 8 cans is quite a bit to be doing in the middle of a busy interstate. I had 12 to do with the way our doubles are set up and I’m happy to be alive after doing it with an impact, let alone a wrench.
KilljoyTheTrucker@reddit
Hell, just wait for Satan's asshole where they ran the harness through to rub through in half a million miles and bricks the truck because it's going to be an obsolete harness by then and no one wants to drop 5 figures on it simply because it won't set/release your brakes.
PlsCheckThisBush@reddit
You know the worst part is you’re not completely wrong here. The mirrors are a seperate ECU already and we all know how great PACCAR wiring is.
KilljoyTheTrucker@reddit
Hell, the controller modules are still the easier parts. They just bolt in somewhere. It's the core harnesses themselves that really fuck the whole deal up. It'd be one thing if they'd kept cabin designs simple to where you could have a unified harness for 90% of it, with the modules are located somewhere generic and the cable runs could be kept linear and simple.
But no, they do it convoluted and illogical, and it doesn't even look good, because it's not even a good wire tuck type of look.
PlsCheckThisBush@reddit
Ah I see you’re a person that has dealt with KW/Pete before lol.
AngelicDroid@reddit
I welcome the camera mirror as long as it's an addition and not replacing the normal mirror. I'm big fan of back up camera and glad they made that mandatory.
PlsCheckThisBush@reddit
On KWs you get a single tiny regular mirror, smaller than an F150s tow mirrors. You do not get a convex mirror. Pete’s have a tiny convex mirror under a super tiny regular mirror.
The camera mirror is dangerous as well. It tries to keep the same brightness all the time, so when you’re passing reflectors on the road and your lights hit them the screen dims and then brightens again…and again and again etc. It’s a permanent strobe light effect while they’re rendered useless and you’re stuck with pickup truck mirrors trying to see ultra far back. Also for anyone that pulls more than a standard 53’ trailer they’re useless in turns. They “swivel” to see but they don’t swivel enough, so when I’m 97’ long doubles/triples I’m effectively blind now because I don’t have a convex, the tiny glass won’t go that far out, and the swivel doesn’t work.
No-Till-2007@reddit
I keep telling guys, if you have it in you get your own truck and start yourself company. Obviously we all could come up with a million reasons not to do this, but I’m back to loving the job again when I was getting close to hating it. Why I hated it? Basically everything being said in this thread.
Candid_Mud_6988@reddit
Digital in some aspects is great, but for spring breaks, really? Hell to the know, I need to push in and out and hear the immediate reaction from the chambers. Wow
DonMarce@reddit
Damn now I cant wonder what happens if I pull it while driving
kakarota@reddit
Nope nope fuck that nope
homucifer666@reddit
My main concern is the system trying to outthink me and automatically reapply the brakes when I'm sliding my tandems or in the middle of parking with my seatbelt off.
iiHartMemphisii@reddit
This has already happened to me with these exact buttons. Truck threw the air brakes on while I was pulling off, I just dont understand who is asking for all these changes
homucifer666@reddit
Truck companies, or at least truck manufacturers trying to appeal to truck companies.
Reducing liability is the name of the game these days, and this is just one more in a long line of "improvements" that allows companies to wash their hands of any sort of vehicle related claim but makes life miserable for the driver.
HeavyMetalTrucker@reddit
90% of the bs trucking companies put in the trucks including driver facing cameras and crash detection systems that slam on the breaks when you are going underneath a bridge and the shadow confuses the system is due to insurance companies. Trucking companies do whatever they possibly can to lower the cost of insurance even if it makes the drivers job so much more of a pain in the ass because someone behind a desk thinks this will make truckers safer.
KilljoyTheTrucker@reddit
Bingo.
Nobody actually wants to drive with these features. At least no one with the ability to think about the task they're doing, rather than at their phone.
Stellantis products do this awesome thing where if you crack the door while moving to verify clearance in tight places, it'll throw it hard into park irregardless of what speed or input you're giving it, even with the seat belt buckled. Hated having any of their stuff when i hauled cars.
Horror-Situation2151@reddit
Eww. Gross.
Alarming_Star_6549@reddit
Nooooooo...
Alarmed-Positive457@reddit
I rather have trucks ape fuck the living shit out of the valves than this shit. Least the valves are a simple fix, this is not.
Suspicious-Office-42@reddit
well these can never be used for dmv testing 🙂 it’ll take them 15 years to rewrite the rules