Runaway Trucks

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Hammer166, Dec 13, 2020.

Is a runaway truck always driver error?

  1. Yes

    23 vote(s)
    39.0%
  2. No

    36 vote(s)
    61.0%
  1. Hammer166

    Hammer166 Crusty Information Officer

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    A post by CDLLife on FB got me going earlier. My stance is that a runaway is completely on the driver, there should be no circumstance where any equipment failure leaves you unable to stop the truck.

    What say you? And back it up!
     
    12 ga, magoo68, Final Drive and 2 others Thank this.
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  3. Just passing by

    Just passing by Road Train Member

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    You're the captain of the ship. If it sinks, you go down with it.
     
  4. buzzarddriver

    buzzarddriver Road Train Member

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    If the driver has a Heart Attack and dies going down a 5 mile long 6% grade, then i don't think you could blame him/her for the outcome.
     
  5. scott180

    scott180 Road Train Member

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    Sometimes it's mechanical.
    Breaks went soft once with a full load of Jet-A.
    I went to start slowing down for a light I knew would turn red when the breaks stopped fully working. I blew the light. Luckily for me the person turning was on their phone and didn't go right away. Down shift, engine brake, repeat till I got her on the roadside and stopped.
    Glad hand had disconnected. Had a clear oily substance leaking from it. Had our shop mechanic come check it out. Never did find out why it happened or what was in the line. Duck taped it to prevent it from coming apart. Got it in the shop and they cleaned the lines.
    During pretrip I have to admit I don't look INSIDE the air lines.
     
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  6. Hammer166

    Hammer166 Crusty Information Officer

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    Alright, gotta give you that one. I suppose one could argue the driver is equipment, too. Bunch of places treat them like they are!
     
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  7. Hammer166

    Hammer166 Crusty Information Officer

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    But if you'd popped the knobs, the truck would have stopped.
     
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  8. Grumppy

    Grumppy Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    I was reading a thread on here just this morning where a CEL came on yellow, then about a minute later went red. Truck shut down. This happened in the mountains somewhere. Going down hill, no power steering, no brakes. I just skimmed the story but I think it was about the DEF or something. Complete system shut down.

    When these systems are designed to shut down when an issue arises, it aint the drivers fault. I'm sure someone who did read the story thoroughly will correct any misunderstandings I had about the story.
     
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  9. Hammer166

    Hammer166 Crusty Information Officer

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    Exactly how would that cause a runaway, other than the driver freaking out?
     
    magoo68 Thanks this.
  10. Final Drive

    Final Drive Road Train Member

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    20201213_155620.jpg

    Drivers error for sure....
     
    Brettj3876 and Hammer166 Thank this.
  11. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Read that too. The thing is if you leave it in gear, the engine still spins. That means the air compressor AND power steering pump are still working. Stuff the brake pedal and steer it off to the shoulder.
     
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