Blowing tractor air bags.

hooking up or pulling out from underneath?

If you are really pulling out, then it's likely you are over extending the bag.

 

I usually just dump the air on the suspension when getting unloaded or loaded

 

could it be it was just time for these to go?

 

How old were they, what kind of weight has been hauled, what capacity axles are they?

 

Dump the air in the air bags before you back under a trailer and before you pull out from under a trailer.

 

Maybe when you back up to hook up you like many do is slam the trk into the trl.I have but now I get just uder the trl make sure the king pin is lined up with the locking jaws then gently back the trk up.Also when you do unhook make sure all the air is completely out of the airbags before pulling put.Or like someone said could be the air bags are just old.If this new company is a small company with rundown equipment then ecspect alot of busted airbags during your employment with them.

 

Being new with a clutch I would guess are you jarring the truck side to side? Feather the clutch with no throttle when you get close.

Like others said if the trailer was dropped properly dump your air and ease under it until the fifth wheel touches the trailer. The fifth wheel should flip flat against the bottom of the trailer. If there is a gap you need to restore the air first. If not continue under it until the jaws lock and then restore your air bags. You can't bust a deflated bag.

If you are doing things right then possibly the leveler rod is out of adjustment.

 

Can you describe how the air bag failed? (ie: shredded, blew a hole out in center, or pulled away from top plate etc)

Best regards

 

How cold was it outside? If the temp is south of nothing, the airbags could be stiffer than normal. I'm far from experienced, but I'd assume that jamming the back end under a trailer that probably could have stood to be raised a crank or two can't be good for nearly frozen airbags.