Brake Check

I guess that would explain all the wheel ruts going into the weeds .......

 

To be quite honest, we can all talk like we're absolute pros...

It is an absolute rarity for me to see any drivers checking slacks at a brake check. If they crawled under there to check, they must be phantom-like invisible... Almost like the Sasquatch... Take a picture, because it's the only way people will believe what you saw..

My theory on what causes some instances of run-away trucks? The driver loses a gear, and can't find it again. This causes the engine to just idle, and hence the compressor runs slow. The driver will then continuously pump the brakes, perhaps eventually depleting the tanks. What I DO know, is once the springs release, they often have nowhere NEAR the force that 120 PSI from the tanks will have on the cam.

Now, I know this... I have driven trucks with perfectly adjusted brakes, but the springs on the tractor would barely hold the truck and trailer back parked on a steep grade.

I'm convinced... Blow the shift, deplete the tanks, and hold on while the springs try to bring you to a potentially VERY slow stop.

For this reason, I don't have faith in springs. I will NEVER pump my brakes down a steep hill, and I always ensure my eyes are on tank pressure. This is one thing that is never taught in "truck driving school."

 

I put on my coveralls and did a physical brake check at the top of Cajon summit, ONCE. After I was done my coveralls smelled just like sun baked urine.

 

While trucking in the US east coast with the mountains out there, I notice A LOT of trucks flying by me. I'm usually anywhere between 70-80k gross and just let the truck coast down the hills while in a lower gear letting it jake down the hill. If I start going too fast, i'll grab the trl brakes and do a hard enough application, but short not to heat them up too much and then let off at a comfortable speed.

What do I see while I'm doing this? Most of the guys just racing down the hills like go karts!!

 

That must've been from all the DEF spilled there ?

Professional drivers only wee wee in Gatorade bottles and chuck em out the window at 75 MPH.

I'm not professional grade, I'm EXPERT grade ..... see, I have a catheter, and the tube runs right down thru the floor and into the DEF tank !! See ? EXPERT !! ..... and I'm also a strong believer in recycling !!

 

This thread made me laugh way too many times.
If you have taken the air brake course and passed it, shouldn't you already know this.
Last week i pulled into a brake check, got out and started my inspection. From an unmarked white car a guy walked over to me, said thanks for obeying the law, and handed me a card, he was CVSE, and said that about 9 out of 10 trucks were not stopping and up the hwy is a road block where they are all getting a ticket and inspection. Said when they stop you hand them this card, and you will be able to just drive away. I don't care if i see 8 brake checks in a 5 hour drive, i stop at every single one of them. It's the law here, not a suggestion.
Besides getting out to stretch my legs is a good thing, not bad.