Runaway Trucks

Yes
Back then standard coupling procedure was to back the tractor up to the trailer, hook up air lines, charge the trailer with Air and then pull the trolley brake on and back under.
If you didn’t follow the procedure and the trailer air had leaked off you would be chasing the trailer all over the yard trying to get hooked to it.

those old two stoke Detroit’s would also do it if you stalled them the same way.
If I had had my wits about me back then I guess I could have jammed it in reverse which would have been a forward gear at that point with 15 gears in reverse lol.
Believe it or not my 2016 tri axel car trailer only has the single pot air canisters on it.

 

Sounds like a French battle tank. "15 reverse gears, and one forward gear in case the enemy attacks from behind"

 

I have yet to see a heavy hauler take a runaway ramp. It will happen one day, but even so it will still be a rare sight.

Because it is a rarity with the biggest loads on the road, I have to vote for driver error.

EDIT: I myself have had steerable trailers go haywire, and that WILL roll a truck. I have lost service brakes coming out of the Rockies on i70. But a runaway heavy haul...haven’t seen it.

 

We have brand new trailers with only only axle of spring brakes.

 

We popped the knobs and dumped the retarder at 50mph in my last mountain driving class.

If you haven't popped the knobs in your truck before you should try it in a safe location. It isn't nearly as violent as most people expect.

 

You young’ns are way behind the times! Us old hands figured this out decades ago!

 

Even a song called Runaway Truck, listen closely and you will get some good advice!

 

I don't know why they don't teach this in CDL school....well except it isn't on the test...

But when I pretrip, after the governor cut-out check I make a point of fully depressing the brake for one second 6 times before fanning down to the alarm and valve pop.

That way I don't have to remember to adjust the auto slack adjusters.

It is crazy how often I hear them adjust when using someone else's truck.

 

It's pretty common for slacks to fail.
Pumping the pedal does nothing for a failed adjuster.
Specially if you play in the dirt alot.

It's not hard to spot a failed slack adjuster.. All you gotta do is LOOK AT THE BRAKES.
And even if they did. They have no clue or desire to pack a wrench and adjust them.