2024 Cascadia Electrical Line Socket Breaks When Backing

Discussion in 'Freightliner Forum' started by Driver5666, Jan 7, 2024.

  1. Driver5666

    Driver5666 Bobtail Member

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    I am new to the forums, but I believe this is the best place to ask this question. I am a company driver and started driving a brand new Cascadia less than a month ago, still has under 10K miles. In the time I have driven that truck, the plastic mount that the green electrical line goes into behind the truck cab has broken THREE times. Every time that occurred, I was backing up the trailer or turning around in preparation to back up.

    To give a visual of what I'm experiencing, most Freightliners have a socket behind the cab where you lift the cover and stick the electrical line in. Every time this socket has broken, I hear a loud cracking sound behind the cab and know it occurred because the trailer lights stop working due to being disconnected. When I go to inspect what happened, the socket is still mounted behind the cab, but the plastic hole that holds the electrical line has snapped off due to some type of tension pulling too hard, and it usually sits at an odd angle.

    I don't think I'm turning too sharp as I have made sharp turns in previous trucks without jackknifing and have never had this issue before. My company shop mechanics have told me that they've never had to fix this type of issue on other trucks. Yet since this has now happened three times on my truck in a month, I think replacing the plastic bracket on the back of the cab is only a band aid, and the real problem hasn't been fixed.

    Does anyone else know what might be going on? Is the socket breaking because it's cheap junk and I'm getting bad parts? Or does the electrical line need to be adjusted so it isn't putting as much tension on that part and breaking when I make a turn or back up? Any help would be much appreciated.
     
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  3. PaulMinternational

    PaulMinternational Road Train Member

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    My guess is your lines are not adjusted properly and aren’t giving at certain angles.
     
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  4. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Sounds like its getting ripped out. Either needs to be routed better or a longer cord.
     
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  5. 062

    062 Road Train Member

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    Pic’s may help
     
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  6. Driver5666

    Driver5666 Bobtail Member

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  7. Driver5666

    Driver5666 Bobtail Member

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    It's not the line itself that's coming out, it's the plastic mounting that's getting ripped out of the bracket when I make a tighter turn or back up.
     
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  8. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Looks like the loop catches the pigtail on turns and rips the socket out. Probably just needs to be routed better.
     
  9. Driver5666

    Driver5666 Bobtail Member

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    I'm supposed to get my fourth bracket installed tomorrow at a shop, should I ask them to adjust the line routing so there's less tension?
     
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  10. Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    Yes. Flip the loop at the top where it’s attached to the spring. Then the cable on the cab will be close to the horizontal metal bracket. Zip tie the cords/air lines to the vertical metal bracket. That will keep any pressure off the receptacle.
     
    Big Road Skateboard and tarmadilo Thank this.
  11. Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    29F492C8-A3A7-4C23-B778-8895E86ECBD8.png Zip tie these 2 areas together, use at least 2 or 3 heavy duty zip ties.
     
    AModelCat Thanks this.
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