Set your trailer brakes?

I never set trailer brakes unless on hill. I always check the brakes and do a tug test before moving though. (you really need a johnson bar to accurately test just trailer brakes) In the winter you dont want to set them, becuase they may freeze to the drum. If your drives freeze, you generally have enough HP to break um loose. If you try to move your frozen trailer on snow or ice, it may slide and not break loose. Then you gotta get out there with a hammer lol. Best is just don't set the trailer brakes unless you need um. Although, if you have any slow air leeks, they will be set by the morning anyway lol.

This all is assuming your tractor brakes are maintained and can easily hold your truck.

 

I very seldom set my trailer brakes, a habit I got into parking in the winter time that I just do year around.... about the only time I set them is if im sliding the tandams or dropping the trailer

 

I only set my trailer brakes when I drop it and at some shippers who require it. I don't need frozen brakes in the winter. Before I set them, I wait for a minute or two to let them cool down.

 

Some tandems (the air button kind) wont release without pulling the red nob first. They are a PITA if they arn't working right. If you loose 100 PSI in an hour your leak is not slow and you MUST get it fixed. Occasionaly mine will pop out after 8 or 9 hours.

Only other time i set them is in real heavy winds. On our trailers pulling the brakes drops the air on the suspension which is more stable while stopped in heavy wind.

 

Forgot to mention, I also set them if backed into a dock as more brakes helps keep it in the dock when a 10k forklift drives like a crazy person, then slams on his brakes while on my trailer.

 

Last Thurday, I finished my day in the freezing ran and got to go home. The next morning, it took me a awhile to break the trailer brakes loose. Then I remember my boss telling me my first week to use the brakes and get them hot before you park so that they will likely be dry by the time they cool. I will remember that next time, I will, I will.

 

I loaded and unloaded trucks for years before I got my CDL. If a tractor was hooked, I went as fast as I could and got it done. I knew how valueable your time is. But if the trailer was unhooked, I would slow down, even with the brakes set, the trailer could walk away from the dock, especially in the winter, and I would have to call one of the Yard Dogs bring it back to the dock.