Trailer Parking Brake

I suppose if that is what he wants to do then that's what you do, it's his truck or yours?

Winter is a special case and it;s coming up. I once set brakes in the dakotas when I broke the non rubber plastic airline at about -40 plus below zero. The brakes instantly froze to the wheels. Had to use a ball peen hammer under the tractor to get her loose, three wheels got loose and the 4th slowly rolled over one of my limbs but snow etc was not a problem then. And she plodded slowly downhill while I hopped into cab and got her settled.

As far as the creaking and popping, it's due to the suspenion being dumped. Settling everything onto the frames as it were. That's not always a good thing. I only dealt with suspension issues in airride when specific trailers automatically dumped onto dock pegs inside the bags when dropped or... in spread axle work where the aft axle is dumped to U turn tightly. (And gently...) Otherwise I leave the airride alone. Less air to pump up to pressure and feed to rig before taking off.

 

There's no reason not to do so. Just don't do it in the winter as you said.

 

Got stopped on a hill one winter night, road was blocked with spun out trucks. Started to slide backwards with just the tractor brakes set. It was a bit slick that night. That's the only time I set the trailer brakes other than docked or unhooking.

 

Set them or in reality, remove the air pressure from the trailer when you unhook or if you need to drop the bags, otherwise leave it alone.

 

My trailer stays aired up if you set the brakes.

 

well what i do in winter is this, as i am getting to my home warehouse, and say about 2, maybe 3 city blocks of travel, i ride the brakes gently. i usually use the trolley for this. my home warehouse is in an industrial park with a 25 mph speed limit. what this does is warm up the brakes and drums, and dries out the trailer brakes. all these years at any job i have ever had, i have no problems with my trailer brakes freezing.

when i ran the road, and going into a truck stop, i'd try and do the same thing as well. also when i'd park, if there was snow already on the ground? i'd be in my parking spot and move forward and backwards a few times as to pack down the snow. not doing this, the heat from the tires can melt the snow and form ruts, then ice over, and many times, spinning wheels trying to get out the next day.

 

Only time I've ever set both brakes if parked on an incline or the customer requires it.Did you tell that guy brakes can freeze up in the winter if he sets the red knob?

 

As long as HE is willing to be the one crawling under there to free up the brakes when they freeze, I wouldn't worry about it. If he expects ME to crawl under there, the he better be doing as I tell him and NOT setting the trailer brakes.

As an aside, perhaps point out where it says "NOT FOR PARKING" very clearly on that red knob.