Walmart blows tires, driver was lucky, semi burned.

Why? That was a fire on the trailer axle. It would take a LONG time to make its way up to the tractor. Much, much longer than it would take to discharge an extinguisher or two. Unlike in the movies, the entire trailer won't just explode at once...

 

This was found on a brand new trailer. The nut was missing on both sides, both slack adjusters weren't working.

 

I pulled them when I was at Crete. When you check in with security and drop, it goes on maintenance's list, and they come give it the once over before it gets reloaded. I've pulled out of Beaverdam, WI, Tobyhanna, PA,, Ochaletta(Bartlesville), OK, Sterling, IL and a few more I can't remember. All did them, of course I haven't worked for them for years, so maybe they changed their policy to same money.

 

well see, there you go......so many drivers have laid claim to hating on cops....(for various personal reasons)

this guy said (the truck driver, from the story's transcript)

i guess at least ONE driver likes cops......

 

Had that happen to me on brand new compartment gas tanker. Coming back at 4am for reload in the rain,
hit the brakes for a red light and jackknifed when trailer locked up. Nobody inspected the tank when it was delivered to our yard. Luckily, there was no traffic and no one was next to me on the 4 lane. All the brake components were loose and it cammed over..

 

More than likely it wasn't a mechanical failure as much as a driver one. My guess is overheating the brakes on a hill.

And if it was over heated brakes, it could have been one of those idiots that ride the trailer brake "to save wear on their tractor brakes".

 

how can you smell the trailer brakes from the cab ,driving down the road?

 

When you stop you can smell them from inside the cab. You can definitely see the smoke going down the road though. You can also tell there is a drag while going down the road.

 

I was behind a Walmart truck yesterday in Oregon on a grade when he blew a coolant hose. Had to pass him in the hammer lane. The steam was so thick I was afraid he was going to stop and I wouldn't be able to see him and stop in time. What a mess.

 

At my DC there is a shop truck that goes around and checks the trailers! Then, they haul them in for repairs and stuff... of course, being a dedicated doesn’t mean I don’t do pre and post trips on the trailers.... I have taken issue trailers for fixes many times.... so, not all of us are irresponsible!