when to use trailer handbrake?

Well said,,,,just learn to get the feel of it before it locks the wheels,used to use it GENTLY to check trailer traction on slick stuff,if trailer broke traction easily i would let off and slow down to where it would slow the truck when gently applied and that would be the speed i held down the hill.

 

Do that with my trailer and I'd pour a 7 gallon pee jug into your fuel tanks!

 

That's my point....the tractor will get you out of the "slide" simply by accelerating...
Not all jack knifes are on slippery surfaces either....

The key is to power out of it....but you do have to add resistance to the trailer to straighten out...
I'm not saying to ram that trolley to your gut...Feather the trolley.....
And yes I tried it one night on WY 14 deadheading at a slow speed.... I purposely put the trailer in a slide.
I did so when it was safe; no other vehicles on the road. Just me, the rig, and a few deer on a wide section of an empty highway.

 

Would that be while the trailer is in the shop getting new brake pads?

 

When I was pulling triples I used the trolly alot of the time. Especially when there's ice and you're going down a grade. I'd apply just enough to engage the brakes and the set would stay straight all the way to the bottom.

 

There are quite a few trucks at Swifty that have no trolley valve. My Volvo did not (although the KW I'm in now does).

 

That sucks....

 

So what did you do with the venicen?

 

Those deer no doubt were waiting for me to Jack-Knife...besides....I'm not like "Turkey Killer" in his Brown rig.....

 

my '07 shaker doesn't have one either