Bobtail braking

I hated the way my 97 379 braked while bobtail. I'd be coming to a traffic light and applying the brakes, everything felt normal then, the truck wasn't stopping when I thought it should so I applied more pressure to the pedal then, a little more pressure then BAMM, the truck would stop so abruptly like I hit a wall.

I talked to Bendix about it and they suggested to replace the BPR-1 proportioning valve with an R-12 valve.Well that solved the problem. I don't know if that created a safety issue, it certainly doesn't feel like it did and, as a matter of fact it feels 100% safer during bobtail to me.

 

There is a valve that reduces brake pressure to rear brakes when running bobtail. It is so front does more of braking to keep rears from locking. Even with abs they have the proportioning valve.

 

And the rest of us kool cats have both options lol

 

Get some quick disconnects fittings and put them on the air lines. When your bobtailling , disconnect the air lines from the quick disconnect. Push in both air valves when driving bobtail and you will feel the braking like it should be. Make sure you install the male end on the air lines.

 

Have seen universal glad hands with plugs connected in place of the trailer or short bolts screwed into the holes on plastic hangers to do to same thing. Just not proper you know!

 

If it came that way. Heard of a DOT officer putting trucks out of service for trucks without front brakes. He knew the extra hole in the frame was for a brake line. No brakes out of service.

 

A Road Train Member that's never rolled only 10 wheels?

Lucky, lucky guy.

(Tho - it's hella fun to get the rig up to 10th in about 8 seconds on an on-ramp... Just sayin')