Empty trailers take longer to STOP

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Rerun8963, May 3, 2011.

  1. Volvo92906

    Volvo92906 Light Load Member

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    Regardless... These vehicles are made to be run with a load on them, which means a lot of weight acting on them. They are designed to stop more efficiently with a load on them rather than empty. Same as you will find you get much more wear on them bobtail as opposed to loaded. Its how they are designed.

    Maybe not ALL circumstances can be said to be this way, but the majority of them are. Its nitpicking that will create the arguments.
     
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  3. jlkklj777

    jlkklj777 20 Year Truckload Veteran

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    I believe the illustrations used are based on a flat road in a straight line on dry pavement.

    You could come up with several scenarios which (depending on the load, equipment, terrain, and weather may change the end result).

    The info Rerun listed was and is correct. The testing sites want you answer the questions based on the written info in the text or manuals. Trucking schools also use this info.

    As for spring ride equipment, there are plenty of companies that still use it. Look at every ltl carrier out there and you will find them.
     
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  4. blackw900

    blackw900 The Grandfather of Flatbed

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    The information is correct...In the book!

    In the real world...It's not.

    If I am empty on a flat road, running in a straight line next to a loaded truck and we both have to stop quickly, I will be stopped first every time.

    I didn't learn that from a book...I learned that from experience!
     
  5. gravdigr

    gravdigr Road Train Member

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    Sadly the cdl test doesnt give a flying fart in a rolling donut about real world lol. And in all honesty the only time this question should come up is by a noob such as myself who has to take the test. Anyone driving real world will already know this answer is not written in stone for all situations. This is physics 101 stuff and there are just too many factors for one answer to be correct. I've been driving passenger vehicles for 18 years....do I know how many feet before a turn to put on my turn signal? No clue. I go by road factors such as speed, is the turn right after a curve or hill? What are the road conditions? All this stuff is by feel. But for the test there is only one right answer.

    Can we put the ruler away and all be friends? =o)
     
  6. Jay1000x

    Jay1000x Bobtail Member

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    Apr 4, 2011
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    The reason a loaded trailer stops better then an empty, is because air brakes can stop so hard, a loaded trailer is less likely to skid because there is so much force downward on the road giving the wheels better traction.

    Where a empty trailer is so light compared to the braking power the wheels will just lock up and slide.
    Now everyone should know you can stop faster if your wheels do not lock up.

    BUT!!!!

    In my opinion.

    A trucker that knows what hes doing, plus ABS can keep a trailer from skidding, thus being able to stop an empty trailer MAYBE faster then a loaded one.

    Because even though a heavier trailer technically stops better then a empty. Weight equals forward force that has to be stopped.

    It is all opinionated and situational.

    So unless you have specifies on what the conditions are, each scenario will be different.

    Which gives you an argument every time.

    But people come here to ask questions and give advise and you learn something new every day no matter how long you have been in this game.

    My 2 cents Brothers and Sisters of the Road. Keep em ROLLIN!!!! :biggrin_25514: :biggrin_25514: :biggrin_25514: :biggrin_25514: :biggrin_25514:
     
  7. blackw900

    blackw900 The Grandfather of Flatbed

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    This is why we have so many clueless idiots out here trying to drive trucks...Because they're not bright enough to understand that a lot of what they learn in school is useless information in the real world, They don't know how to differentiate between what they need to "pass the test" (which is all the schools teach) and what they need to actually do the job.

    What we have wound up with is a bunch of "know nothing" steeringwheelholders that think they have all the answers...When one of us that actually knows how to do this tries to clue them in on how it's really done, We get the book learned nonsense thrown back at us by the poor idiot that thinks he knows all.
     
  8. blackw900

    blackw900 The Grandfather of Flatbed

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    By the way Jay1000x...My last post wasn't directed at you (we were typing at the same time) It was directed at the misinformation that's being swallowed hook line and sinker by the newbs!


    Although I disagree completely with almost every word of your post!
     
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  9. formertaxidriver

    formertaxidriver Heavy Load Member

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    Yes, where I work does. They even just bought new ones
    I'm being told cost and weight.:biggrin_2554:
     
  10. Jay1000x

    Jay1000x Bobtail Member

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    Amen!!!!

    I just came out of school and I can't believe some of the people that they give their license to.

    I went to a Delaware school and the DMV out there should be closed down for what they pass there. Passing people that run over cones.

    I tested at Island ave DMV in Philadelphia and 99% of the people that come out of school in Delaware would NEVER pass in Philly. FACT.

    I had a real prick for an examiner. And he was proud of it too.
     
  11. Jay1000x

    Jay1000x Bobtail Member

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    LOL No problem Bud. Thats why its my opinion. :biggrin_25519:

    And you know what Opinions are like. LOL
     
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