When loading/unloading should trailer air bags be dumped?

So... I have to be smarter than the equipment?



No offense, that's one trick I hadn't thought of and could use once in a while. One of my trailers is a beat down Trailmobile that drops about 2-3" lower than most when the trailer air is released. I've gotten away with sliding the axles back, but this sounds a lot less of a hassle in some cases.

 

I use that one about once or twice a year but it might be the dealbreaker of the forklift getting in and out. Who built these docks?

 

I used to put a wheel chock in front of my left front trailer axel. But's that's just me.

 

Your question is slightly confusing (could just be me). Are you talking about the air supply for the brakes or are you talking about the air bag dump valve for the tractor when you drop the trailer?

Also, my trailer has a separate dump valve for the airbags on the trailer tandems. Most trailers are automatic and when you pull the brakes the airbags on the tandems go down. On my trailer, underneath the trailer by the tandems, next to the valve for the tandem pins is another valve you push or pull to dump or inflate the trailer airbags.

If you ARE talking about the trailer tandem airbags then it will depend on each individual situation. It depends on the height of the customers dock in relation to your trailer whether or not you should raise or lower the airbags. I usually leave mine alone unless they say something about it.

Whatever you do, if you dump the airbags DON'T FORGET to inflate them before you pull away. If you don't it could cost you a set of trailer tires! One little bump and the trailer tires will go up into the trailer and get shredded by the cross members!