What methods can you use to secure a 2nd trailer before coupling?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by expedite_it, Jan 17, 2021.

  1. expedite_it

    expedite_it Road Train Member

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    I'm using the Georgia Commercial Drivers Manual to study to get the doubles and triples endorsement on my GA CDL. Henceforth, I will refer to the Georgia Commercial Drivers Manual as the GA CDL Manual for brevity. The GA CDL Manual Section 7 is about Doubles and Triples. There is a quiz at the end of section 7. Here is a photograph I took of the quiz at the end of section 7: GA CDL Guide section 7 question.jpg



    The third question is the following: "What three methods can you use to secure a second trailer before coupling?"

    The only part of section 7 that seems to address this issue is section 7.2.1, which is subtitled "Secure second (rear) trailer".

    Here is a photograph of section 7.2.1 in the Georgia CDL Manual: GA CDL Guide section 7.2.jpg

    To me, the question "What three methods can you use to secure a second trailer before coupling?" asks for three distinct methods of securing the rear trailer, but I think maybe the question just asks for the three STEPS to do one method of securing the rear trailer.

    Another possibility that occurred to me is that maybe the study guide is literally asking for three distinct methods of securing the rear trailer. Maybe the first method is that the rear trailer is already secure if the rear trailer has spring brakes. Maybe the second method is to drive the tractor close to the trailer, connect the emergency line, charge the trailer air tank, and disconnect the emergency line (which would set the trailer emergency brakes). Maybe the third method is to just chock the wheels.

    What is your interpretation of the meaning of the question "What three methods can you use to secure a second trailer before coupling" based on what you read in section 7.2.1.? Do you think that the question is really just asking for three steps to do one method of securing the rear trailer? Or do you think that the question is actually asking for three distinct methods of securing the rear trailer (with the answer being what I wrote in orange text)?
     
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  3. kylefitzy

    kylefitzy Road Train Member

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    Spring brakes, chocks, and air applied parking brakes. The first method is what all new trailers are required to have. The last method is for older trailers, I believe pre 1975? Not sure on that date.
     
  4. MOBee

    MOBee Road Train Member

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    Takea breath, your over thinking this. See KyleFitzy's post above.
     
  5. expedite_it

    expedite_it Road Train Member

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    The second photograph I posted listed the following steps for securing the second (rear) trailer: "If the second trailer doesn't have spring brakes, drive the tractor close to the trailer, connect the emergency line, charge the trailer air tank, and disconnect the emergency line. This will set the trailer emergency brakes (if the slack adjusters are correctly adjusted)."

    Are the "trailer emergency brakes" the exact same thing as what kylefitzy calls the "air applied parking brakes"?
    ______________________________________________________________________________

    P.S. do any big rigs in the real world nowadays (not at a truck driving school) really pull any trailers built before 1975?
     
  6. Dockbumper

    Dockbumper Road Train Member

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    I sure hope not! There was a time in the same era when tractors only had brakes on the rear axle/axles. No front brakes required. I can only imagine what it was like to brake bobtail on wet/slick roads with one of those!?? YIKES
     
  7. kylefitzy

    kylefitzy Road Train Member

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    Before abs it was a lot safer, a rolling steer tire acts like a rudder so you can steer. A sliding steer tire is just along for the ride into the ditch.
     
  8. expedite_it

    expedite_it Road Train Member

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    kylefitzy, are the trailer emergency brakes the exact same thing as the air applied parking brakes?
     
  9. kylefitzy

    kylefitzy Road Train Member

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    In my opinion no, they can do the same thing (lock the trailer wheels from moving) under certain situations.

    On today’s trailer the emergency brakes are spring applied and air released. When the emergency line loses air, ie the emergency valve is pulled on the dash or the red air line is severed due to the trailer disconnecting from the truck, the spring brakes come on and stop the trailer.

    Air applied parking brakes do the same thing under the same situations, IF YOU HAVE AIR PRESSURE IN THE SYSTEM. That’s a big difference If say an air tank comes loose or a piece of road debris breaks a valve off.
     
  10. rbrtwbstr

    rbrtwbstr Road Train Member

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    Yeah, it does happen. We have a tanker that was built in '72 . It has been updated to a modern brake system though. But I know of a few guys running really old tanks around that probably haven't been updated.
     
  11. Brandonpdx

    Brandonpdx Road Train Member

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    You don’t have to do anything. The Spring/parking brakes hold it steady while the dolly is backed under it with the front trailer. Then give it a good tug in low range to make sure the 5th wheel is latched before putting air to it.
     
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