Tips to avoid trouble with DOT officers?

I use a second person lol sorry i misunderstood.

 

if doing the tractor, set the trailer brakes and release the tractor. Take a screw driver and wedge it in that part that connects to the slack adjuster and pull the rod out of the brake chamber as far as you can. If that thing moves out a couple inches, the automatic slack adjusters aren't working anymore. You will know the difference when you pull it. You don't need a ruler. The rod will move twice as far as the others.

 

It's something I do every time I hook on to a new trailer, which usually means a couple times a week.

 

Don't speed over the scale, don't slam on the brakes on the scale, don't start pulling forward off the scale until he gives you a green light (see this all the time). And make sure you have your seatbelt on, I know several guys who were dumb enough to go into a coop without a seatbelt on and ended up with a ticket and a 7-point violation. One lost his job, company had a zero-tolerance policy because they were tired of seatbelt tickets ##### their CSA score...

 

Roll under the truck and mark the rods. Use a piece of wood cut to a length (scrap 2x4, old broom handle, pretty much anything will work) that will apply the brakes when wedged between the pedal and air ride seat. Roll under the truck and measure. Problem solved.

 

I use a trigger clamp with ends reversed. One end on brake pedal the other on steering wheel.

 

Yes and no. If you catch it at the beginning it may only be a little bit out of adjustment, and some Dot cops will catch that for you if you don't.

I mark mine with the brakes released and then check them with the brakes applied. You can do it with the brakes set but I've heard that may not always be a good way to do it if the springs are weak. Trailer is done with the trolley bar, tractor brakes mean wedging something against the brake pedal.

This also gives you the opportunity to discover leaks in the service lines or in the brake cans.

 

Got to KNOW the rules of the game before you can bend 'em in your favor.

 

And check brake lights at the same time.