Trailer Brake

It happened just the way I described it. I did not hit the throttle because I had a controlled road crossing ahead, there are two on that hill. I will send you a google maps satellite view shot of it if you like. The jakes were on because I'd been driving all day in good weather on good ground and forgot about them. The blizzard was at altitude, where I load, not down where I drop the load. As I mentioned, the trailer brake is sensitive, but I knew that. Pulling it just under half way kept the wheels turning, but gave them just enough resistance to straighten the unit. Of course I turned the jake off completely for the rest of the trip. I had the presence of mind to do it. Shrug.

I recently used mine coming down a steep hill in a blizzard with a load of gravel. Truck started jackknifing because I had the engine braking still set on high (blizzard came on quick). Handily straightened the rig right out. Gotta use a delicate touch, though, they'll lock the trailer wheels up pretty easy. Anyway, glad to have it available.

Now THAT'S a trucker story if I ever heard one!!! It's a long way from being in the Hall of Fame, but a good one nonetheless.

A rookie driver going down a mountain loaded heavy in a blizzard has the presence of mind, quickness, and delicate touch to prevent an ongoing tractor jackknife by easing on the trolley brake just in the nick of time?

That's a fantasy scenario you dreamed up in your head, friend. Sounded great, though. If you were that good, the Jakes wouldn't have been on full blast in that scenario in the first place. Instead of hitting the trolley bar you would have gotten on the throttle which would have shut off the Jakes and helped you accelerate out of the slide at the same time.

Great story, though. Went good with my coffee.

I did not hit the throttle because I had a controlled road crossing ahead

Oh, then I underestimated you. You also had the wherewithal to assess the road conditions ahead and to know that hitting the throttle would have been the wrong move in those circumstances. Wow man, all of that situational awareness and speedy but delicate reactions in the middle of a tractor jackknife going downhill with a heavy load during a blizzard from a rookie driver!

Incredible. I would dare say it's beyond belief.

Regardless Rick, it's a really bad practice. It's not the kind of thing you want to be suggesting in a forum for new drivers.

It happened just the way I described it. I did not hit the throttle because I had a controlled road crossing ahead, there are two on that hill. I will send you a google maps satellite view shot of it if you like. The jakes were on because I'd been driving all day in good weather on good ground and forgot about them. The blizzard was at altitude, where I load, not down where I drop the load. As I mentioned, the trailer brake is sensitive, but I knew that. Pulling it just under half way kept the wheels turning, but gave them just enough resistance to straighten the unit. Of course I turned the jake off completely for the rest of the trip. I had the presence of mind to do it. Shrug.

I recently used mine coming down a steep hill in a blizzard with a load of gravel. Truck started jackknifing because I had the engine braking still set on high (blizzard came on quick). Handily straightened the rig right out. Gotta use a delicate touch, though, they'll lock the trailer wheels up pretty easy. Anyway, glad to have it available.

Now THAT'S a trucker story if I ever heard one!!! It's a long way from being in the Hall of Fame, but a good one nonetheless.

A rookie driver going down a mountain loaded heavy in a blizzard has the presence of mind, quickness, and delicate touch to prevent an ongoing tractor jackknife by easing on the trolley brake just in the nick of time?

That's a fantasy scenario you dreamed up in your head, friend. Sounded great, though. If you were that good, the Jakes wouldn't have been on full blast in that scenario in the first place. Instead of hitting the trolley bar you would have gotten on the throttle which would have shut off the Jakes and helped you accelerate out of the slide at the same time.

Great story, though. Went good with my coffee.

You clearly got lucky...a very dangerous move. Nothing you say or contrive will convince me otherwise.

Thank you for your "benefit of the doubt" reply. I don't think you needed to cynically dig me with "or contrive", though.

It happened just the way I described it. I did not hit the throttle because I had a controlled road crossing ahead, there are two on that hill. I will send you a google maps satellite view shot of it if you like. The jakes were on because I'd been driving all day in good weather on good ground and forgot about them. The blizzard was at altitude, where I load, not down where I drop the load. As I mentioned, the trailer brake is sensitive, but I knew that. Pulling it just under half way kept the wheels turning, but gave them just enough resistance to straighten the unit. Of course I turned the jake off completely for the rest of the trip. I had the presence of mind to do it. Shrug.

I recently used mine coming down a steep hill in a blizzard with a load of gravel. Truck started jackknifing because I had the engine braking still set on high (blizzard came on quick). Handily straightened the rig right out. Gotta use a delicate touch, though, they'll lock the trailer wheels up pretty easy. Anyway, glad to have it available.

Now THAT'S a trucker story if I ever heard one!!! It's a long way from being in the Hall of Fame, but a good one nonetheless.

A rookie driver going down a mountain loaded heavy in a blizzard has the presence of mind, quickness, and delicate touch to prevent an ongoing tractor jackknife by easing on the trolley brake just in the nick of time?

That's a fantasy scenario you dreamed up in your head, friend. Sounded great, though. If you were that good, the Jakes wouldn't have been on full blast in that scenario in the first place. Instead of hitting the trolley bar you would have gotten on the throttle which would have shut off the Jakes and helped you accelerate out of the slide at the same time.

Great story, though. Went good with my coffee.

You clearly got lucky...a very dangerous move. Nothing you say or contrive will convince me otherwise.

Back off Rick.

There is nothing cynical or self-serving about my reply, or Brett or Old School’s.

The issue here is you are promoting a dangerous and ill-advised approach to braking within a forum designed to teach students and rookie drivers safe and best practices.

To be blunt...you are wrong and making a fool of yourself.

When are you teaming up with The History Channel for your show, Rick?

Let's see if I can make a fair reply...

When are you teaming up with The History Channel for your show, Rick?

So how do you test your trailer brakes without it?

Trailer brake set (red knob out), release tractor brake (yellow knob in), then do a couple tug tests.

The trailer ("Trolley" or "hand") brake lever controls the trailer's service brakes. The red "Trailer Air Supply" valve runs the trailer's spring/parking brakes. So the basic tug test only checks the trailer parking brakes.

Here's a question from the CDL General Knowledge test bank:

Q. When should you use the hand valve to park a combination vehicle?
    a. To park at loading docks.
    b. To park on a grade.
    c. To park for less than two hours.
    d, Never.

The correct answer: "d." I tell students in class the best use for that lever is, as noted, a place to hang your sunglasses.

Yes, my question was how to test the service brakes on the trailer with no trolley brake.

Grumpy reiterates:

Yes, my question was how to test the service brakes on the trailer with no trolley brake.

You don't. The service brake is all one system, with the trailer service system added when you're hooked up. And as discussed here, that trailer brake control in the cab is actually an option for the buyer. I figure if it's optional, there's no real reason for a separate test.