Don't pull the red valve
Posted by kloyoh@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 14 comments
Ive asked this a long time ago but never got a serious answer, but what happens if your going 65mph, loaded trailer, and u set your brakes? Will u have a quick second to release them and keep rolling? What about just your truck or just the trailer, are u skidding rubber and wiggling around? Jack knifed to the side? Has this happened to anyone, im sure its very rare but someone could do this by accident, like a charging cord snagging or whatever...?
FindMateStraightFux@reddit
Our fuel trailers use a lockout valve at the load heads so the trailer won’t move while loading.
Years ago I had a faulty valve that wouldn’t set the brakes unless I physically pulled the piston. Didn’t. Left the bar up that’s supposed to set the trailer brake, and hit the highway.
Empty and on flat, dry pavement, thank god, at 70mph that piston released and set my trailer brakes. Brother, it felt like I had run into a wall of molasses. I moved forward in the seat and the belt stopped me. Stayed straight, stopped, needed all new trailer tires. Flattened ‘em good.
I think that’s what would happen. Don’t pull the red valve.
VicoBadzso@reddit
Yup, as long as it’s the trailer brakes it should be okay, though not safe. If it’s the truck’s brakes… that’s a whole other level of shitshow
DepressedDragonBorn@reddit
So pull the yellow one? Thanks dude, will test next shift.
FindMateStraightFux@reddit
Been tempted. Report back please.
thxby@reddit
Definitely will ruin the tires if brakes are good and you don't stop right away. At the very least will wear bottom of tires down and smell awful.
Scotts-@reddit
May very well rip the kingpin out of the skid plate
Top-Sheepherder-3657@reddit
Doubt. That trailer wouldn't be roadworthy to begin with.
Redsoxdragon@reddit
It might be different with these newer trucks that are basically computers, but this is what is what happens to mines.
If you're loaded, all you do is burn up your trailer brakes.
If you're empty, you lock up your rear tires. Whether it stays straight or not, it depends on the situation
What I'm guilty of is pulling the trolley brake when im empty on slick yards. That gets the movie jackknife where it kicks the trailer out to the side 😊
Ice_cold69@reddit
I've seen what happens when someone hits the Johnson bar at 55mph first hand. Years ago when I was doing beer delivery we had a driver hit and hold the Johnson bar for 10 seconds. It ripped the trailer axle right out from underneath the trailer
Beekatiebee@reddit
Had the valve body inside the dash fail for the trailer air supply once, mechanic had replaced it and didn’t secure it correctly so the hose blew off.
Was doing 50 down the highway during rush hour. Thankfully only half loaded and on a wet road so I skidded to a stop, but it was a pretty fucking violent stop. I’ve done a full panic stop before and it was about that hard, seat belts locked and everything. Ears didn’t stop ringing for a few hours either.
Had to call the police to block traffic because the truck was immobilized.
0/10 experience and it removed that particular call of the void for me lmao.
Jacktheforkie@reddit
A very hard braking event that may well lead to some breaking, will likely ruin the tyres, possibly damaging the trailer and load too
RevolutionaryDebt365@reddit
If you are empty. The trailer tires will lock up, skid, and flat spot the tires. If you are loaded, you'll probably coast to a long stop. If the road is wet, they'll slide. Your trolly valve (or thumb valve these days) will produce the same results. Have fun experimenting!
Responsible_CDN_Duck@reddit
It rarely ends well of you're going downhill on a corner.
Someone ridding passenger in a logging truck though it might be funny to give it a quick cycle. Didn't have enough time to push it back before the momentum pinned his arms. Then the cab did.
So much like a steer tire no quick second, and how much it sucks comes down to where you are and how lucky or unlucky you get.
thestug93@reddit
Look up what happens to trucks when the red glad hand breaks off since it's basically the same effect as what you're asking. The brakes on the trailer immediately lock up bringing you to a stop. How controlled that stop is depends on if you're loaded l, empty, and the road conditions. We had a driver recently that had this happen with an empty trailer and the trailer was skidding all over his lane and made it's way off the edge of the shoulder as he was trying to move over to the shoulder. He was lucky he didn't sideswipe someone with the trailer or get stuck/roll the trailer in ditch.