Under 26000# with air brakes

Discussion in 'Trucking Industry Regulations' started by Gyrodeputy, Apr 16, 2018.

  1. Hulld

    Hulld Road Train Member

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    The assertion that the reason that dot requires you to test out on air brake systems in order to not have an air brake restriction on your cdl license is because federal dot is a bunch of idiots.
     
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  3. ChaoSS

    ChaoSS Road Train Member

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    Well, that certainly is an opinion. I have an opinion on that, as do you, and it can't be proven either way, because what should be done (should testing be required for air brakes, on large or small vehicles) is always going to be a matter of opinion.

    But, I will say this. I drove vehicles with air brakes before I had my CDL, including descending grades with a load. (and no Jake Brakes) for that matter. My boss lectured me on making sure I didn't overheat the brakes, but that happened the first time I hit a big grade, and that was in a truck with juice brakes. I didn't find it to be any real difference in how I had to drive. No difference really. When I got my CDL, I of course read up on brakes in order to pass the air brakes test, and frankly I don't think anything I read ever helped me. I don't think there was any real discussion of making sure you don't run out of air coming down a hill, the only discussion on that is what happens if you develop a leak or your air compressor goes out or whatever, so you lose air. The only thing I thought would be helpful is the discussion on how air brakes have a delay, but when I actually go into the big trucks and started driving them I found that that delay is nearly imperceptible. Only real difference is it is a little weird when you are trying to apply an exact amount of brake pressure, but that's not something that testing prepares you for, it's something that you just get used to it by doing it.

    So, I don't think any training I ever received on air brakes prepared me to better drive a vehicle equipped with them. How to pre trip them, yes, but considering how few people actually bother with that sort of inspection anyway, I don't see that as making a big difference. So yeah, I do tend to think that it's pretty stupid to require a test specifically for the air brakes on a big truck.

    But I do get that that is just an opinion.
     
  4. Gyrodeputy

    Gyrodeputy Bobtail Member

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    That is false. If it is under 26000# you do not need a CDL unless carrying hazmat or 15+ passengers
     
  5. RET423

    RET423 Medium Load Member

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    I would not draw that conclusion if the air brakes were the only evidence, but the Federal DOT is indeed a bunch of incompetent idiots who render opinions based on absolute ignorance and then use the force of government to enforce them.

    Drivers who get access to people who know better can render the DOT a nuisance but those who do not have anyone around them to teach them the correct information are made victims by nefarious DOT information, while foolish to do so they believe what the "authorities" tell them.

    Trucking is one of the very few industries that is micromanaged by people who know absolutely nothing about the industry, DOT opinions should be summarily ignored by anyone who wants to do this job correctly
     
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  6. Hulld

    Hulld Road Train Member

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    Question...
    Have you ever seen a hydraulic brake set up freeze up in the winter time?
    My truck has three air gauges on the dash what are these for ?
    So you can see this is just a couple of caveats where you have to know a little more about air brakes then you do about a basic hydraulic automotive set up.
    The basic driver who has never driven air brakes is never had a set freeze up in the winter time and has no clue what those three air gauges are for.
    This is just a couple and there are more reasons you have to test out to avoid an air brake restriction.
     
  7. ChaoSS

    ChaoSS Road Train Member

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    I don't remember there being anything about frozen brakes on my test at the DMV. I also don't remember there being anything about an applied brake pressure gauge in the training or testing. I do remember figuring out for myself what all those gauges on the dash did for myself. The pyro gauge I had to actually look up online, the rest I got figured out myself, and that included the applied pressure gauges. Yes, gauges. I got spoiled there with a t660 with a real owner op gauge package with every gauge you could possibly think of, including truck and trailer application gauges.

    And fwiw, I don't see any reason to worry about brakes freezing up on a straight truck while parked any more than I would with juice drum brakes. My trailer brakes are the only ones I worry about for the most part.
     
  8. Hulld

    Hulld Road Train Member

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    The point is the dmv written air brakes test is just the beginning.
    When you road test you have to verbalize and demonstrate a whole array of aspects of air brakes.
    And for good reason.
    You can not minimize the safety factor of being well versed and to be able to show proficiency in air brake operations.
    Yes you can look up things on the internet and it may be helpful but it’s not a replacement for an education with a test at the end to prove you know what your doing.
    According to your theory if you have driven a manual shift car it’s just a waste of time to test out on a manual shift big truck.
    Four speed or eighteen speed it’s all the same right?
     
  9. skellr

    skellr Road Train Member

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    You are right. Grandma could use it to go get groceries without any special endorsement. Just a plain Jane license will do.
     
  10. Sappy4happy

    Sappy4happy Bobtail Member

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  11. ZVar

    ZVar Road Train Member

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    Just an FYI. She can actually pull a trailer with that setup. The trailer has to be rated at 10,000 lbs or less though.
    The regs state 26,000 for a power unit, OR 10,000 for a trailer. Here is the Georga CDL manuual with a flowchart on page 4 that shows that.
    http://www.eregulations.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/17GACM.pdf
     
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