Trailerbrake.question

I've had to back into docks with up to 2 feet of water, and while I don't like it I've never had any brake problems, but I do keep my trailer greased. If the water is over the hub I would check hub oil in case one of the rubber plugs were to leak.

 

Is it salt water or rain water? If salt water from a flood i would never back into it. If its just rain water, go for it but proceed with caution. Just make sure your brakes are good before you leave, and do a few quick stops to dry um out.

 

I once backed into a flooded dock. The water was over the hubs. My greased packed hubs filled with water...cost me about $500 to have all the hubs cleaned out.

 

Stagnant standing water is a health hazard that the property owner must address. Not only does it allow mosquitos to breed but a flooded truck dock is also a garbage catch all. Additionally, there have been several instances where employees have waded into puddles to service/inspect equipment only to be electrocuted. If you read your own carrier contracts you will most likely find some verbiage regarding the duties of the receiver including loading dock specifications and workplace safety. A flooded/poorly maintained receiving dock is most likely a breach of the shipping contract by the receiver. I am not a lawyer but I have dealt with lots of contracts and contractual disputes regarding shipping and receiving for a very large cosmetics firm (The Estee Lauder Companies) in order to support its shipping/receiving system.

 

backing into a swimming pool. isn't any different then dragging trailer in a shower. everything gets wet either way.

but, i wouldn't want my hubs submerged.

 

Chances are if they filled that fast and with significant amount of water, it came in thru the vent hose of the axle housing.
Whatever the case, $500 to clean it out is not something anyone desires.

Edit: As far as vent hose, I had tractor differentials/axles on my mind. I guess because I had a tractor parked where it later flooded past the vent line, and took water in thru there.

 

Years ago, I drove city delivery with a "cab-forward" day cab. The truck had a below-the-frame muffler with a vertical exhaust stack up the back of the cab. After loading for about fifteen minutes in a flooded ramp, I cranked the engine and powered up the ramp. You guessed it. Soot and water were blasted out of the stack only to settle on the employees cars. I departed in a hurry.

 

even if its not high enough to flood your hubs, if its high enough to reach the drums, you wanna make sure you're truck had a good while to cool the brakes... you dont wanna roll HOT drums into cold water.

 

if your drums are hot enough that water is going to damage them you're not driving your truck right.