Test Question - Suspension System
Topic 21737 | Page 1
The correct answer is C.
Although it can be argued that it does provide some level of driver comfort; that is not the primary or intended design function.
I suggest using the High Road CDL Training Program to supplement your studies.
Good luck!
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
The suspension system functions as all but one of the following:
a. It distributes the load evenly b. It distributes and carries the weight of the truck c. It provides ergonomic comfort for the driver d. The front and rear axles are attached to it
B and D are in the book we are using in class (Delmar's) so it isn't B or D. But A and C both seem correct as well...
I would have to say A. It is trying to confuse you with A and B having similar wording. The word that makes answer A wrong is "evenly". The suspension system does distribute the load, but it does not do it evenly. That is why the trailer tandems and fifth wheels slide, to even up the load and make legal weight on each axle.
Tandems:
Tandem Axles
A set of axles spaced close together, legally defined as more than 40 and less than 96 inches apart by the USDOT. Drivers tend to refer to the tandem axles on their trailer as just "tandems". You might hear a driver say, "I'm 400 pounds overweight on my tandems", referring to his trailer tandems, not his tractor tandems. Tractor tandems are generally just referred to as "drives" which is short for "drive axles".
Tandem:
Tandem Axles
A set of axles spaced close together, legally defined as more than 40 and less than 96 inches apart by the USDOT. Drivers tend to refer to the tandem axles on their trailer as just "tandems". You might hear a driver say, "I'm 400 pounds overweight on my tandems", referring to his trailer tandems, not his tractor tandems. Tractor tandems are generally just referred to as "drives" which is short for "drive axles".
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
Confusion in the ranks!
It's a tricky question, as many of them are. G-town has it right though. 
Bill wrote:
The word that makes answer A wrong is "evenly". The suspension system does distribute the load, but it does not do it evenly. That is why the trailer tandems and fifth wheels slide, to even up the load and make legal weight on each axle.
Considering the suspension on trailers so equipped is designed to "slide" or "positioned" to enable weight balance, by definition "answer A" is absolutely correct. Use of the word "tandems" is a generic definition of the trailer suspension platform, which on most 53' and 48' vans and reefers is again by design, adjustable.
Another way, perhaps the best way to think about the question is to choose the answer that is the least applicable and/or relevant; which in this case is "C".
Air-ride seats and the shocks/dampers that attach the cab/sleeper platform to the tractor frame are designed to increase driver comfort.
Tandems:
Tandem Axles
A set of axles spaced close together, legally defined as more than 40 and less than 96 inches apart by the USDOT. Drivers tend to refer to the tandem axles on their trailer as just "tandems". You might hear a driver say, "I'm 400 pounds overweight on my tandems", referring to his trailer tandems, not his tractor tandems. Tractor tandems are generally just referred to as "drives" which is short for "drive axles".
Tandem:
Tandem Axles
A set of axles spaced close together, legally defined as more than 40 and less than 96 inches apart by the USDOT. Drivers tend to refer to the tandem axles on their trailer as just "tandems". You might hear a driver say, "I'm 400 pounds overweight on my tandems", referring to his trailer tandems, not his tractor tandems. Tractor tandems are generally just referred to as "drives" which is short for "drive axles".
Reefer:
A refrigerated trailer.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
Yup, GTown nailed it correctly, as always.
Thanks G-Town.
The Training Program was a great help in passing the Knowledge Test.
I stand corrected. One of the things I love about this site is clear concise responses from the more experienced among us...
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The suspension system functions as all but one of the following:
a. It distributes the load evenly b. It distributes and carries the weight of the truck c. It provides ergonomic comfort for the driver d. The front and rear axles are attached to it
B and D are in the book we are using in class (Delmar's) so it isn't B or D. But A and C both seem correct as well...
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated