Air ride trailers that dump when parked.

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by TacoTruck, Oct 23, 2007.

  1. Pmracing

    Pmracing Road Train Member

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    Our Utility trailers have a swing arm that drops down onto an axle plate when the air is dumped to support loaded forklift weights jumping into the trailer. It takes most the impact force away from the suspension.

    Mikeeee
     
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  2. Yves kanevil

    Yves kanevil Medium Load Member

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    The amount of stress that is not oeb a Landing gear while trailer is sitting is well worth having and auto dump
     
  3. Roberts450

    Roberts450 Road Train Member

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    I can't remember the last time I set both brakes unless dropping a trailer. So used to having the trailer stayed aired up to have air to work the valving on my tankers its just second nature to keep a thumb on the trailer valve when popping the tractor vavle.
     
  4. bowtieboy77

    bowtieboy77 Light Load Member

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    Most likely a dump valve has been added on the trailer using the emergency line pressure as the pilot sensing line. This could be the same type of valve that is used on 10' 1" spread flats to dump air out of front bags on turns or air ride dumps only that application would use hoist control air line as a pilot/ sensing line. If it is a rental trailer the renter with company request should be willing to temporarily disable the valve operation. If not while your waiting for your rightfull trailer wouldn't applying tractor brakes and keeping trailer released keep suspension inflated? If so you could also apply the spike as well for added braking.
     
  5. Fatboy42

    Fatboy42 Light Load Member

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    My Wilson flat dumps when trailer brakes applied so if I don't want to dump the air I don't set the brake
     
  6. 25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    We have Great Dane and Utility reefers, and the Great Danes don't dump, while the Utility trailers do. Some places, either works fine, with the long hinged plates, either the straight ones or the folding lip.

    Some places need a trailer to dump, with a short hinged plate, and others will work either way.

    One of the Great Dane trailers had the leveling valve go out and was run without inflating for awhile, and now it settles lower than the Utility trailers.

    Totally removable dock plate with enough length will work with either.
     
  7. 1johnb

    1johnb Medium Load Member

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    If the dock is on an incline it helps to slide the tandems to the rear. I have had that make a 6" to 8" difference.
     
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  8. Pedigreed Bulldog

    Pedigreed Bulldog Road Train Member

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    If you're dropping a loaded trailer, it is much easier on the landing gears if the trailer suspension dumps quickly upon setting the brakes. If it doesn't dump, and instead leaks down after the trailer has been dropped, the settling of the axles with the brakes set will push the trailer forward a couple inches...and if loaded, can (and will) bend support brackets possibly leading to the legs collapse of the legs over time if not repaired and reinforced. The airbags are designed to inflate/deflate. The engineers don't always account for leaks developing over time, which causes the suspensions to deflate...so they don't design the landing gears with sufficient strength to handle such an occurrance while loaded.
     
  9. RoadRanger^^

    RoadRanger^^ Medium Load Member

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    My 07 vanguard when set the red knob deflate the airbags. Does anyone know how can i bypass that ?

    thank you