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Is it illegal to pull a trailer with a deflated suspension?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Pmracing, Aug 31, 2013.

Page 1 of 4
  1. Aug 31, 2013 #1
    Pmracing

    Pmracing Road Train Member

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    2.5 year rookie asking.

    I hooked to yet another trailer with problems. This time it was a tandem suspension that would not inflate. The linkage for the air was torn apart. Most likely from a driver backing with locked tandem brakes and raising the rear of the trailer to the point of causing the linkage to tear apart.

    I re-attached the connection and it inflated normally.

    But if parts were destroyed to the point of not being able to be repaired at the shipper... The brakes worked, there was no air leak, no overweight issues due to the dropped suspension. Would it be legal to pull it?

    Our intermodal loads have deadlines to get on "today's" train or have they have to wait for the next one. And sometimes there is more time after the train ride to make repairs. Or just a short hop after the train to the receiver. I never like to push a problem on to the next driver, but I also want to do what is needed to keep the customer happy. (I have never and will never send a dangerous mechanical problem to the next driver, just to make a receiver deadline...)

    Mikeeee
     
    Pmracing, Aug 31, 2013
    Pmracing, Aug 31, 2013
    #1
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  3. Aug 31, 2013 #2
    mikec265

    mikec265 Medium Load Member

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    Dumbed Down Land, WTF
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    I know you could jerry rig the leveling valve somehow with duct tape, zip ties, and possibly anything. vise grips? if you think hard enough i bet you can make something work half arsed till you get to the right parts. Just THINK
     
    mikec265, Aug 31, 2013
    mikec265, Aug 31, 2013
    #2
  4. Aug 31, 2013 #3
    BigJls1

    BigJls1 Medium Load Member

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    terrible reply to the OP's question
     
    BigJls1, Aug 31, 2013
    BigJls1, Aug 31, 2013
    #3
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  5. Aug 31, 2013 #4
    Pmracing

    Pmracing Road Train Member

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    But say it ripped the lever out of the valve, something that could not be rigged...

    Is it illegal to pull it?

    Mikeeee
     
    Pmracing, Aug 31, 2013
    Pmracing, Aug 31, 2013
    #4
  7. Sep 1, 2013 #5
    Casual Trucker

    Casual Trucker Medium Load Member

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    Well that lovely customer of yours that you want to help meeting the deadline are they going to pay for the damages if any when you pull that load to Rail Road or just leave you hanging to deal with the extra expense that your company will charge you as a result of making a decision you are not authorized to make?
    Would it be legal to pull it? NOP sorry dude your CDL is more important.
     
    Casual Trucker, Sep 1, 2013
    Casual Trucker, Sep 1, 2013
    #5
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  8. Sep 1, 2013 #6
    Pmracing

    Pmracing Road Train Member

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    I am 100% confused with your reply... Maybe 110%

    What is NOP?

    As far as company rules and penalties... I do not "pull" any "problem trailers" without the consent of road breakdown all documented on the qualcom. No verbal orders...

    Mikeeee
     
    Pmracing, Sep 1, 2013
    Pmracing, Sep 1, 2013
    #6
  9. Sep 1, 2013 #7
    baha

    baha Road Train Member

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    O. O. S. VOL. if ins. U must get fixed before unloading
     
    Last edited: Sep 1, 2013
    baha, Sep 1, 2013
    baha, Sep 1, 2013
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  10. Sep 1, 2013 #8
    snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    all that matters is that you can get the suspension lifted. without overlifting and popping the bags.

    dot won't even blink as long as the suspension is pumped up. when it's not working. yes, they'll put you OOS. and they can tell by your weights when you roll across the scale. both axles won't weigh the same. unless you've got a dual valve system. then it might be different.


    utah did that to one of our drivers. pulling a flat with a spread. don't ask my why it didn't occur to the driver that his trailer wasn't pumped up. but that was utah's story. axle weights were different.

    now i'm sure it's going to be different scenario with a tandem axle. but i'm sure they'll be able to see that it's not pumped up. cuz you'll be riding low.
     
    snowwy, Sep 1, 2013
    snowwy, Sep 1, 2013
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  11. Sep 1, 2013 #9
    Pmracing

    Pmracing Road Train Member

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    what is ins.?

    and "before unloading" does that mean it is legal to pull across IL scales on the way to the train?

    Mikeeee
     
    Pmracing, Sep 1, 2013
    Pmracing, Sep 1, 2013
    #9
  12. Sep 1, 2013 #10
    Davezilla

    Davezilla Medium Load Member

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    If its on the truck, it has to work... even if its not required. If its not required, and its not working, you have to remove it from the truck to be legal...

    Simple as that...
     
    Davezilla, Sep 1, 2013
    Davezilla, Sep 1, 2013
    #10
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