Scaling Woes with a 2013 Freightliner (Cascadia?)

Pulling the Johnson valve equals the same end result as setting the trailer brakes via the yellow valve. I've never had an issue that was a result of setting the brakes, maybe I've just been lucky.I should mention that I drive a W900 not a Freightshaker, probably is a whole different issue.

 

It shouldn't if the scale is level. Setting the brakes in a air ride trailer mostly drains the airbags. Pulling the Johnny bar should just apply the brakes.

some trailers drain bag air when brakes are set

 

Since when does Swift have Air Ride Trailers?
I don't know why anybody sets trailer brakes when scaling.

Also, not all air ride trailers drop immediately once you set the brakes

 

Obviously the ops trailer does drop when brakes are set

 

I just roll the truck across the scale and jump out that way it frees up 250 pounds on the steers. But for some unknown reason DOT does not like that, have no clue why?

 

a lot of the 15 series trailers are air ride, and have a push button for sliding the tandems on trailer... I love it

 

Joining the 21st Century huh.


If you don't get in the Habit of setting the Trailer Brakes ALL THE Time, it will keep that from happening.
I think that's a screwy combination anyway.
Air Release Tandems with the Trailers that drop the air out of the bags immediately.

 

Lol, all of ours have that, have since I started here in 2007

 

I never seem to be amazed what I read, here goes:

1. Just by looking at the weight difference, 12,700, 27k, 33k on the trailer, its clear it has nothing to do with the load. The only time you would ever have the carrier shift the load is if you were over weight on your drive axle or trailer axle.


2. Joseph, I can't believe you've been a trucker for 12 years and make just a wrong statement like that. EVERY state allows up to 20,000 pounds. That doesn't mean you're rated or legal. The front axle will vary, but the general rule of thumb is you go by your steer tire weights, which is around 6,180, give or take. Some trucks, like the Pro Stars, will be rated at 12,350 or 12,000.

3. Horizonrider24, are you serious? HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU HAVE AN AIR RIDE trailer? It's apparent you never pretripped your trailer. IF you had, you would have notice the HUGE difference between typical spring suspension and air ride suspension. Again, you never pretripped your trailer. If you did, you would notice these large, circular shaped bags, which most tandem trailers have a total of 4. Instead of asking, you should start looking. Do you know your tractor has air ride? I'm sure you do.

4. Pool6710, you are the reason they put "NOT FOR PARKING" on the trolley valve. People like you would hang something on, go inside, air escapes from the lines, or the bag slips off and your trailer rolls into a ditch, a truck, or runs someone over while you're busy inside with your antics.

5. tow614 has it right, SET your tractor brake on the scale. It does not release the air from the trailer or interfere with the air bags. Second, since when are they 12k? The state guidelines that I see are for 20k max per axle. If you were over the weight rating of your tire, then yes I can see them giving you a ticket. I've never heard of anyone getting a ticket, unless they are going by what your door sticker says? It's possible they are wrongfully giving out tickets.

PLEASE, learn your equipment and what you have! Learn how air ride suspension works. I applaud you for asking for help, there is nothing wrong with that. But, at the same time its evident you don't know what you're doing or simply not pretripping your trailer to know you don't have air ride suspension. Following some of the advice is going to get someone killed. The Johnson valve, aka trolley valve, is NOT FOR PARKING. Familiarize yourself with your equipment.

If you don't know what type of truck you are driving, you are WRONG. Look on your door jamb, look at your registration, go online and look, ask someone. Do you even know what engine you have under the hood or how many gears your transmission has? Seriously, this is getting really bad. My advice as well, stay a company driver, you're not ready to lease a truck yet....

For reference on the weight limits and bridge laws, consult your road atlas. OR, go online and google "Alabama weight laws." You will find the max weights allowed. Knowledge is power. I hope you all learned something through this thread.

 

Freightlinerman.....

each state has different axle weight restrictions as well as length restrictions..height restrictions and bridge restrictions..

this information can be obtained online but it is also available in the front of your rand mcnally motor carriers guide.




i just purchased the 2015 edition and some states have changed....