Do you keep the air going to the trailer while being loaded?

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by A Bug, Feb 18, 2023.

  1. A Bug

    A Bug Heavy Load Member

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    Not sure if it makes a difference but would that cause damage to the trailer while being loaded? I always seem to be coming up with air leaks.
     
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  3. Long FLD

    Long FLD Road Train Member

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    Before pulling a van I always left my trailer charged so I could watch my gauges.
     
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  4. Numb

    Numb Crusty Curmudgeon

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    that would mean your trailer brakes aren't on, so, no.
     
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  5. Long FLD

    Long FLD Road Train Member

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    Flatbed, livestock, pneumatic, hopper, everything except a van, the only thing I set the trailer brakes was if I was dropping it.
     
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  6. beastr123

    beastr123 Road Train Member

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    With brakes applied your gauge will not be accurate due to axle creep.
    Plus there is not enough air in the tanks to fill the suspension.
    Unless you are backed into a dock brakes are not needed for loading a flat because almost all forces are side or vertical not forward/back.
     
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  7. Numb

    Numb Crusty Curmudgeon

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    didn't notice it was in the flatbed section. ooops. :D
     
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  8. skallagrime

    skallagrime Road Train Member

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    Depends on what youre loading.

    1 or 2 peices of heavy stuff, no, set brakes (realistically, need to dump air from bags, not brakes but my current trailer drops air when brakes are set though)

    Most everything else, no, leave it aired up, if backed to a dock and loading a lot of pallets its not a bad idea to drop air from trailer so as not to screw with the rubber bumpers bouncing up and down as much though
     
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  9. D.Tibbitt

    D.Tibbitt Road Train Member

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    On flatbed i never set the brakes while loading... When loading to full gross weight you want to keep an eye on the air scale so you can tell then when to stop... If have brakes set you will have to wait a couple minutes for the system to come to pressure and level out.
     
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  10. just_s0me_Guy

    just_s0me_Guy Bobtail Member

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    FWIW, i’ve only had sheetrock, bricks, and lumber live loaded and unloaded and never set the trailer brakes.

    no particular reason, but if i had to choose one, it helps with moving the strap rollers (not sure what they’re called) around the front axle of the trailer.

    these newer fancy metro trailers are nice though
     
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  11. cke

    cke Road Train Member

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    Strap rollers are called winches.
     
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