Unusual trailer brake issue

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by Pmracing, Jan 11, 2017.

Page 1 of 3
  1. Jan 11, 2017 #1
    Pmracing

    Pmracing Road Train Member

    6,354
    3,178
    Jan 28, 2011
    Arlington Heights, IL
    0
    Hooked the trailer, hooked hoses and elec. Aired it up and put my weight on the trolley handle to walk around and listen for air leaks. None heard.

    I released both brakes and rolled a bit to do a tug test with the trailer brake lever. All is good.

    I set the trailer brakes to slide the tandems forward, all pins are in, but ZERO BRAKES! The trailer just rolls!

    So why would brakes work with service pedal, trailer brake lever but no brakes when the red knob is pulled?

    Mikeeee
     
    Pmracing, Jan 11, 2017
    Pmracing, Jan 11, 2017
    #1
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Jan 11, 2017 #2
    Blackshack46

    Blackshack46 Road Train Member

    3,326
    4,251
    Jan 19, 2015
    Playing in the cow manure, PA
    0
    Because service brakes are air applied. Parking brakes are applied by the spring. Spring has no where near the brake application of 80psi of air.

    Release trailer brakes and use johnny arm to hold trailer while sliding.
     
    Blackshack46, Jan 11, 2017
    Blackshack46, Jan 11, 2017
    #2
  4. Jan 11, 2017 #3
    Powder Joints

    Powder Joints Subjective Prognosticator

    7,988
    8,407
    Sep 25, 2007
    Rosamond, SoCal
    0
    two different sides of the brake chamber, the red knob dumps the air activating the spring brakes.
     
    Powder Joints, Jan 11, 2017
    Powder Joints, Jan 11, 2017
    #3
  5. Jan 11, 2017 #4
    25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    18,759
    45,987
    Sep 18, 2006
    the road less travelled
    0
    Springs broken in maxi chambers. The springs rust through and break, and then that brake won't hold with only the spring, service brakes are unaffected.

    Lease company actually put brand new cans, 4 of them, on the Cascadia I drive and they were all working like they were supposed to. Couldn't tell the difference but I guess that's the point.
     
    25(2)+2, Jan 11, 2017
    25(2)+2, Jan 11, 2017
    #4
    Ooops, Bean Jr. and Dave_in_AZ Thank this.
  7. Jan 11, 2017 #5
    Pmracing

    Pmracing Road Train Member

    6,354
    3,178
    Jan 28, 2011
    Arlington Heights, IL
    0

    If I release the brakes the pins will pop out. How do I slide the tandems then?

    Mikeeee
     
    Pmracing, Jan 11, 2017
    Pmracing, Jan 11, 2017
    #5
  8. Jan 11, 2017 #6
    Pmracing

    Pmracing Road Train Member

    6,354
    3,178
    Jan 28, 2011
    Arlington Heights, IL
    0
    All four trailer brake springs might be broke?

    Mikeeee
     
    Pmracing, Jan 11, 2017
    Pmracing, Jan 11, 2017
    #6
  9. Jan 11, 2017 #7
    25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    18,759
    45,987
    Sep 18, 2006
    the road less travelled
    0
    If you have air operated pins, you can't do that, it's block the axle somehow and slide it that way.

    Love it when the cans have been replaced, and it works like it is supposed to.
     
    25(2)+2, Jan 11, 2017
    25(2)+2, Jan 11, 2017
    #7
    Dave_in_AZ Thanks this.
  10. Jan 11, 2017 #8
    Blackshack46

    Blackshack46 Road Train Member

    3,326
    4,251
    Jan 19, 2015
    Playing in the cow manure, PA
    0
    We have spring released pins. A couple are air. My suggestion would be to somehow hold the button on the trailer you use to pull the pins in.

    Or find a curb of some sort to block the wheels.
     
    Blackshack46, Jan 11, 2017
    Blackshack46, Jan 11, 2017
    #8
  11. Jan 11, 2017 #9
    25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    18,759
    45,987
    Sep 18, 2006
    the road less travelled
    0
    Maybe all be broken if they are all the same age, and they weaken before they break. You can tell s9mewhat by making the drums thud (applied) or ring(not well applied) by striking them with a hammer. Find a curb or something to block the wheels to slide it now.
     
    25(2)+2, Jan 11, 2017
    25(2)+2, Jan 11, 2017
    #9
  12. Jan 11, 2017 #10
    Pmracing

    Pmracing Road Train Member

    6,354
    3,178
    Jan 28, 2011
    Arlington Heights, IL
    0
    I know the curb trick. I am salaried. I would rather fix the problem as opposed to passing it down the line to an OTR driver that needs miles. Plus it was going to PA and I think the mountains were going to be a bit snowy by the time it got there (on the train).

    Mikeeee
     
    Pmracing, Jan 11, 2017
    Pmracing, Jan 11, 2017
    #10
    25(2)+2 Thanks this.
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

    • Page 1 of 3