Snow Question

[marvinkwagner]

Hello

I have a question, it's about Driving a Tractor trailer in the Snow

Now I was told last year to back off the brakes on the trailer that I pull since it dont have anti lock brakes. I did as I was told.
Then when I got outa the snow belt I had the brakes reset.

note had them reset, and backed off by a mechanic.

I was told to do this so the trailer dont come around.

It worked on the Runs up in the North. But can an experienced driver or Mechanic tell me the truth is this justly thing to do.

I did it it worked. But again like everything else everyone has there own opinion I just would like to know was this the correct thing to do since I dont have anti lock brakes. (For driving in the Snow)
(There is never a dum question when it comes to obtaining knowledge and being safe)

Thank you for your time

Kev

 

[NoProblem]

I’d never back off the trailer brakes - the trailer can just as easily come around on you if the trailer brakes are backed off because the trailer will want to keep on going while your tractor is attempting to hold it back – resulting in a jack knife.

All the brakes on the entire rig should be adjusted with equal pressure at all times – rain or snow. If the road is ice covered, park it till the ice is melted.

Avoid jack knifes by driving the proper speed for road conditions.

My .02

 

[nightcreacher]

Marvin
Never heard of backing off trailer brakes,1st dot would have field day, and second,as was posted earlier,with traiiler not having equal brakes,it could come around ,and turn you arooud like a top.
JUST REMEMBER,,LEAVE MORE FOLLOWING ROOM,IF PERSON IN FRONT STOPS SHORT,YOU NEED MORE TIME NOT TO GET IN THEIR MESS.
ON ICE,,SLOW DOWN,AND IF YOUR NOT COMPFORTABLE,FIND PLACE TO STOP
BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN DEAD,DISPATCH WILL UNDERSTAND.

FED EX CC since 1984
ooida 263839
E6613
steve gilbert

 

[DanJ]

I agree that it's not a good idea to back off the trailer brakes. If you reduce trailer braking effectiveness, then you will be pushing on the pedal more, increasing the chance of locking the tractor up, which the trailer will just push around on you. As the learned folks above say, adjusting the driver to conditions is much safer than trying to change the equipment.

 

[tavrin]

the auto slack adjuster will just fix it IN thery so dont back them off slow down in bad weather i got 8 years local driving in buffalo new york i know snow just slow down and leave longer space between u and the next car or truck

 

[barbaba704]

Having learned to drive in the Rockies and driven more than 8 years throughout the Western Rockies and the coastal mountains I can assure you,do not back off the trailer brakes, for all the reasons given by other drivers. If you study how the air brake systems work you will see that the system automatically applies the trailer brakes just a little sooner than the tractor brakes so that the trailer acts as a drag, tending to keep the trailer behind you (where it belongs). That's why you chain up on both sides of the trailer when it is required.

The best action to take in winter driving is SLOW DOWN! Keep a lot of space around you, not just in front. The best way to do that is drive about 5 mph slower than the traffic you are in. That way you will always have space in front of you opening up, even as the 4 wheelers cut in front of you.

Drive Safe out there!

 

[Paul56]

Too much braking on the drive axle causing wheel lockup will cause the tractor to swing into the trailer.

Wheel lockup on the trailer tandems will cause the trailer to swing into the tractor.

When loaded heavy the chances of locking up the wheels is greatly reduced, thus so are the chances for jackknife.

Brakes not being in balance (equal force being applied all around) is a cause of wheel lockup. The adjustments you had made put your brakes in an out of balance condition.

You are better to reduce your speed, increase following distances and be very careful with the brakes on the slippery stuff. Double up on your precautions when loaded light or empty.

As well, you are "captain" of the "ship" so it is your call alone as to when is the right time to pull it over due to bad conditions.

 

[MikeC]

Hey Marvin I thought you were the Numeo Uno when it came to driving. After all you have told us many times how you only worked 10 months but you manged to get the FEDXCC 4 star weekend. What happened last winter NO SNOW..