Dropping a Trailer Properly

That would work if on dry pavement. Best thing is after hooking and airing up, is to move slowly ahead and actually look in your mirrors. You may have to jig the tractor around a bit to see the back tires, but it's cheaper and safer for all involved, to make sure those brakes aren't frozen.

 

I set mine when I'm backed to a dock, when the trailer has an air leak and I'm not idling (some trailers have air leaks that aren't enough to register on a pretrip but will drain your tanks overnight) when I am parked on a hill and (obviously) when I'm dropping the trailer. Of course, also when getting repairs done.

 

Chock the tires.

 

i love those docks that you dont even have to open the doors--just back in hole and something magic happens back there
i think its kraft that has those kind of doors

 

See everything will be ok! lol Just have to learn this other "stuff"

 

A tug test wont do you 1 bit of good if you are on ice. If you are on asphalt it will, but really the safest way to make it happen is to simply not set up your brakes if there is no need to.

If you are dropping and hooking company trailers, there is nothing wrong with sliding under and taping the drums to make sure they are released, this really isnt hard on a dry van where you can actually crouch under it, on a full framed flat bed, step deck or a low boy its impractical, but mostly it is just knowing your equipment, and that comes with time and experince.

 

+1 this is what I meant by checking your mirrors.

This is also one of the reasons I had the very bright lights on the sides of my sleeper, it would allow me to see my trailer tires at night and tell if they were turning or not.

 

Please remember to shut em off on the highway...YOU"RE BLINDING OBGYN!

 

But they light up my chrome

 

Seems your putting alot of faith in your tractor brakes? Don't set the trailer brakes , yet crawl under and pound on them? I am asking, is the tractor emergency brakes all you really need?