Hit a 13'6 ¹/² bridge.

Air ride if your 13'6 empty you'll be 13'6 loaded. Any negligible difference will be in tire flex. Don't let these idiot trainers tell you otherwise. What that leveling valve is set at is what it's gonna keep it at when working properly

 

Agreed, I said in an earlier post maybe around 8MM. Something breaking is a different matter. The only other thing that may affect is an empty trailer can "bounce" a few inches. This is why I always wanted to have at least 15K in the box. Made my ride so much smoother.

 

What do you look for in this kind of situation? I had a trailer with a jury rigged leveling valve that seemed fine loaded. After emptying, I didn’t notice anything amiss but while having a flat repaired the mechanic pointed it out. I then measured my ### being about 13’8”...

I inspect the valve location on every trailer I pickup now as well as the air bags and height once it’s aired up. But I don’t think I’d have the experience yet to catch it while driving.

 

Unless it’s a Union job there isn’t much you can do that is worth your time. If you were on a truck route driving a van trailer under a marked bridge your rig should normally clear it shouldn’t be your fault, but if they are trying to fire you for that I wouldn’t want to work for them anyway. If the ride height is incorrect and you knew about it then my opinion is different. Most van drivers aren’t expected to routinely measure their height unless you know of an issue. Many years ago in Mass out in the country on a marked truck route which was the only way in and out of my receiver I had a similar experience. I went in loaded just fine but came out mty with a nearly new air ride van and it scraped the roof on the rear near the tandems. Didn’t go all the way through in my case so I kept on trucking as usual.

 

I get that you don’t want to loose 5 weeks pay, but an attorney will cost you much more and you may not win. Sounds like it’s time to better your situation by moving on. It could cost you short term, but probably not long term. If you have already accrued the paid time off, take it while you are starting at a new company. Then quit when the time is all paid out.

 

If it’s dumping air and the bags are flat you should be able to hear air coming out of the valves on the dash, if they over inflate it will start riding rougher/bouncing all over the place with all the air, on the tractor, you would also notice a small vibration from the drive shaft for the pinion angle

 

I don't hear anything and i have 2 ways to deflate my trailer..

Air going in you can hear. Air that's already there and leaving. You don't hear.