Why do many of these straight trucks have trailer brakes?

Discussion in 'Questions To Truckers From The General Public' started by RGT766, Mar 19, 2023.

  1. RGT766

    RGT766 Bobtail Member

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    On purplewave.com, several straight trucks are on the auction block with photos of inside the cabs. I'm puzzled as to why so many of the them have the red trailer air supply valve on the dash? Here are five examples.
     

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  3. VIDEODROME

    VIDEODROME Road Train Member

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    They might tow a trailer even if it's not a 5th Wheel ? Just my guess.
     
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  4. Animosus

    Animosus Medium Load Member

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    Probably have a pintle with air brakes?
     
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  5. Oxbow

    Oxbow Road Train Member

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    The fourth picture shows a fifth wheel switch as well. I suspect it has been converted from a tractor.
     
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  6. ducnut

    ducnut Road Train Member

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    Those appear to all be converted from semi-tractors.
     
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  7. wulfman75

    wulfman75 Road Train Member

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    when I was doing expediting my straight trucks were converted tractors so had all the stuff a tractor would have.
     
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  8. RGT766

    RGT766 Bobtail Member

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    I was obviously thinking they were converted but I was thrown off by the Freightliner flat bed. There is a pic of the axle numbers, supposedly factory printed on the body which indicate it was originally built with 4 axles.
     

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    Last edited: Mar 24, 2023
  9. Big Road Skateboard

    Big Road Skateboard Road Train Member

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    Trucks are built by the manufacturer, and the body manufacturers put the bodies on. Trucks are built for multiple jobs, not specifically boxes. And yes, they could still pull trailers if equipped with pintle hooks.

    Think cab n chassis pickups
     
  10. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    I'm reading that as the truck was built as a tandem with 40k lb rears and a 12k lb steer axle.
     
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  11. RGT766

    RGT766 Bobtail Member

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    Yes, 3 rear axles
     
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