That trailer brake handle, how does it work?

Not really aimed at you.. just trying to head em off at the pass

 

No, there have been idiots who think they are gaining something by abusing trailer brakes rather than using the foot valve. They usually think they are God's gift to trucking, passing on this "cost saving" BS to anyone willing to listen to the trash coming out of their mouth.

 

Oldest trick in the book

 

The old Trailers would lock up and slide sideways in the snow if used. Staying locked up for a few seconds after releasing . Very dangerous never trusted them much after having that happen. Never wanted to have to see if the straightening out in ice tales were true. But using them was common practice for a lot of leased operators.Really only advantage was if you hooked a trailer that needed brake adjustment and had to make an emergency stop. Now with auto slacks really obsolete except for long traffic lights or starting on a hill or sliding axles. Still use it a lot for that stuff.

 

The trolley brake is something that all the old trucks had. They would go from zero pressure to full complete pressure If you pulled the trolley valve all the way.

No offense to anyone but like most of the stuff that's on the newer trucks it's kind of junky. I've been in trucks that are probably a little older now but they had a spring thing in the trolley valve instead of it just being able to come down and stay on its own like it's supposed to. I really despise newer trucks.

I'm going to say this very carefully and cautiously so that everyone understands. Yes when I pull containers and I pull other people's trailers I will use the trolley brake to save my tractor brakes.

HOWEVER, if you are going to attempt to do something like that you have to understand how and when to do that.

Myself, I am someone that I begin to slow down for a stop sign or stop light way before it is time. I generally Drive more to the slow side and definitely defensively. So in that situation combined with my Jake brake it was very easy to slow down without using the tractor brakes.

Also, if I was on a grade that I needed to just slow down a bit I could use my Jake brake and nurse the trolley brake and my truck would slow right down without using my tractor brakes.

You have to understand what you're doing or you're just a fool that's going to make a problem. You can't slam the trolley brake on and think that you're just going to stop and never use your tractor brakes. Your tractor brakes are there for a reason and when you need them you have to be intelligent enough to use them. Also, there's no need to abuse the trailer brakes. If you're pulling someone else's trailer don't cause rapid brake wear or overheat the drums or whatever else. You want those trailer brakes to work right so that you can stop when you need to. And if someone else is going to pull that trailer they'll be able to stop. Consider others safety also. But if you are safe and you understand what you're doing you can let the trailer brakes take more wear than your tractor brakes if it's safe to do so.

So if you're not a speed maniac and you use them gently to help you slow down there's nothing wrong with that.

And it is nice to know that the trailer brakes are working right and will stop you. I always liked that if I pull a different trailer I can test how good the brakes were by using the trolley brake.

There are other situations that you can use the trolley brake but I'm going to leave it at that.

Be smart and be safe.

 

I am waiting for the day when trailers have electric motors to help you up hills.

 

As long as there’s no flat spots on tires no harm!!! I used to do it. Most of us did. Just look at all the skid marks on the road and obviously a lot still are. That’s when it becomes an unsafe practice. I can’t imagine doing it now no need. Also does put extra wear on fifth wheel I imagine.Reminds me of a friend who left the bogies at the stop light and the old rusty trailer on the icc bumper right in front of the cops.

 

In a panic stop situation I’d never use it and for other normal braking I plan ahead and rarely use any brakes ... I run tri axles and the brakes last a extremely long time if they don’t rust jack

 

It's best used to hang your headset on.

Least used application in a truck.

Normally, I touch it once or twice per day, for a tug test.

 

If you are hauling new empty trailers the trailer tires can be flat spotted if using hand valve for braking.