More about how do drivers manage when lifting a fridge, different strokes for different people
Not a lot of room there, some there is some not, it can be very tight,
If a newbie came along how would he know the fridge break was on if on level ground
It’s all to do with split lifting and can be risky if not known what you are doing
If have experience it’s a walk in the park
I’m gonna say…
This is about split coupling.
Only one rule when split coupling, ensure both unit and trailer brakes are on.
Don’t split couple at Tesco , ■■■■■■■ hell you’d think you’d commuted murder
As said just make sure both brakes are on before doing anything else when split coupling.
A lot of newer trailers now have the extendable mavis rail which eliminates the need for splitting it completely
Where I work, it’s instilled into every driver or shunter or yard person, at all the depots,
PULL THE STOP BUTTON ON THE TRAILER when you unhook.
99.5% IT WORKS !!
but THERE’S THAT 5%, don’t rely on luck
and for all those that are reading this thread
it doesn’t just apply to fridge trailers, even a curtainsider can roll !!!
ME , every time I go and hook up to a trailer,
be it in the yard, a trailer changeover, in another depot
I go and check the park AND SHUNT button.
even if I know the driver, has someone distracted him ?
Your life !!!
Never mind split coupling, more importantly …How tf do you manage to sleep? 
I had a brief stint on Frigoscandia a long time ago,.and had to give it up,.then I did a week of it much later when I was on Brit Eurooean, and still couldn’t hack it. 
It was playing shear hell with my beauty sleep…I’ve got my stunning good looks to maintain you know, those companies just did not understand.
robroy:
Never mind split coupling, more importantly …How tf do you manage to sleep?
I had a brief stint on Frigoscandia a long time ago,.and had to give it up,.then I did a week of it much later when I was on Brit Eurooean, and still couldn’t hack it.
It was playing shear hell with my beauty sleep…I’ve got my stunning good looks to maintain you know, those companies just did not understand.
Pictures please of the stunning good looks Rob 
On a serious note though, you do get used to the noise and newer fridge trailers are getting more and more ear friendly
yourhavingalarf:
I’m gonna say…This is about split coupling.
Only one rule when split coupling, ensure both unit and trailer brakes are on.
After the first line I thought it was about delivering white goods, but I think you’re right.
robroy:
Never mind split coupling, more importantly …How tf do you manage to sleep?
I had a brief stint on Frigoscandia a long time ago,.and had to give it up,.then I did a week of it much later when I was on Brit Eurooean, and still couldn’t hack it.
It was playing shear hell with my beauty sleep…I’ve got my stunning good looks to maintain you know, those companies just did not understand.
I thought the same for the few months I did them but I did gradually get used to it over a couple of weeks. Having said that, I gave fridges up 5 years ago and wouldn’t go back. On balance, a silent nights sleep is always going to be better.
Every one at our place has a Mavis rail so just go on the pin and couple up stood on the ground. Is it older trailers that don’t have them or other makes?
Never talk to anyone while dis/connecting a trailer. Distraction is one of the biggest causes of accidents. If you need to ask someone for help wait until they have finished what they are doing.
njl:
Every one at our place has a Mavis rail so just go on the pin and couple up stood on the ground. Is it older trailers that don’t have them or other makes?
This…
In the same way that seat belts are mandatory, MAVIS rails or similar should be legal reqiurement.
Drivers shouldn’t be getting in between a close coupled unit and trailer in 2021.
yourhavingalarf:
njl:
Every one at our place has a Mavis rail so just go on the pin and couple up stood on the ground. Is it older trailers that don’t have them or other makes?This…
In the same way that seat belts are mandatory, MAVIS rails or similar should be legal reqiurement.
Drivers shouldn’t be getting in between a close coupled unit and trailer in 2021.
Or any trailer??
Never having used them, I’ve gotta ask:
Are there any down sides to Mavis rails?
Franglais:
yourhavingalarf:
njl:
Every one at our place has a Mavis rail so just go on the pin and couple up stood on the ground. Is it older trailers that don’t have them or other makes?This…
In the same way that seat belts are mandatory, MAVIS rails or similar should be legal reqiurement.
Drivers shouldn’t be getting in between a close coupled unit and trailer in 2021.
Or any trailer??
Never having used them, I’ve gotta ask:
Are there any down sides to Mavis rails?
Dunno mate…
I’ve never used one myself.
Not sure you could fit a MAVIS rail on a bulk powder tanker trailer?
No disadvantage to mavis rails.
All our trailers have them…with the park brake situated at the front of the trailer.
yourhavingalarf:
Franglais:
yourhavingalarf:
njl:
Every one at our place has a Mavis rail so just go on the pin and couple up stood on the ground. Is it older trailers that don’t have them or other makes?This…
In the same way that seat belts are mandatory, MAVIS rails or similar should be legal reqiurement.
Drivers shouldn’t be getting in between a close coupled unit and trailer in 2021.
Or any trailer??
Never having used them, I’ve gotta ask:
Are there any down sides to Mavis rails?Dunno mate…
I’ve never used one myself.
Not sure you could fit a MAVIS rail on a bulk powder tanker trailer?
Tanks have rails or arms for front marker lights, so beefing them up for airlines shouldn’t be impossible.
Don’t see the issue with split coupling brakes on work away, we have one fridge with a Mavis rail PITA to be honest we are so close coupled that you still have to split to put the airlines on because of the angle of the connector
As to sleeping with a running fridge you’ll soon get used to put it on constant at night and it will just tick over most of the noise comes when it is starting up especially a Carrier Fridge. After a while you’ll develop and odd sixth sense about fridges cutting out at night when on stop start and wake up thinking there’s a problem and on checking find the fridge has packed in, spooky 
Used to work at a company that ran fridges and curtainsiders, curtainsider driver got given a fridge of hanging lambs, tried to get out of it by saying “Can’t sleep with a running fridge” bosses answer “That’s ok you’ll not be going to bed til the fridge is empty” 
Mazzer2:
Don’t see the issue with split coupling brakes on work away, we have one fridge with a Mavis rail PITA to be honest we are so close coupled that you still have to split to put the airlines on because of the angle of the connector
As to sleeping with a running fridge you’ll soon get used to put it on constant at night and it will just tick over most of the noise comes when it is starting up especially a Carrier Fridge. After a while you’ll develop and odd sixth sense about fridges cutting out at night when on stop start and wake up thinking there’s a problem and on checking find the fridge has packed in, spooky
Used to work at a company that ran fridges and curtainsiders, curtainsider driver got given a fridge of hanging lambs, tried to get out of it by saying “Can’t sleep with a running fridge” bosses answer “That’s ok you’ll not be going to bed til the fridge is empty”
I’ve never used one, so what’s the pain with Mavis rails?
Franglais:
Mazzer2:
Don’t see the issue with split coupling brakes on work away, we have one fridge with a Mavis rail PITA to be honest we are so close coupled that you still have to split to put the airlines on because of the angle of the connector
As to sleeping with a running fridge you’ll soon get used to put it on constant at night and it will just tick over most of the noise comes when it is starting up especially a Carrier Fridge. After a while you’ll develop and odd sixth sense about fridges cutting out at night when on stop start and wake up thinking there’s a problem and on checking find the fridge has packed in, spooky
Used to work at a company that ran fridges and curtainsiders, curtainsider driver got given a fridge of hanging lambs, tried to get out of it by saying “Can’t sleep with a running fridge” bosses answer “That’s ok you’ll not be going to bed til the fridge is empty”I’ve never used one, so what’s the pain with Mavis rails?
The airline connectors point down at a 45 degree angle, there isn’t enough room to get on the catwalk so trying to push them from the ground or standing on the step with the air pressure is nigh on impossible just can’t get enough force behind it no problem with the idea of a Mavis rail but you still need a bit of room on the catwalk.
As you can see not a lot of room there
Even with the Mavis pulled over as far as possible, the red line connector will still be several inches over the tank/catwalk, meaning you are trying to push the connector on, whilst holding your arms outstretched and at head height. Sometimes the angle of the connector is also very awkward to push the connector on, considering the considerable pressure you need to exert.
There is a hinged type of Mavis rail, which extends right next to the trailer, I’ll try to find a picture.