Why can’t they get out and check

[dozy]

Since day 1 I’ve always when connecting up , reversed just under trailer , then got out & watched the lorry suspension lift the tri up , you know you’ve not run under pin etc , but no let’s reverse under & put suspension up as we’re flying back , 72 zb plate , it’s like a bloody epidemic , every ■■■■■■■ lorry with smashed air deflectors , all for 2 sec jumping out & having a look

[wheel_holder]

You don’t need to get out you know. You reverse the fifth wheel under the trailer then if you feel it contacting the trailer or see it lift in your mirror you’re okay to hitch up, if you feel nothing you raise the suspension until you see the trailer lift a bit. Don’t go at it like a bull in a china shop and you won’t damage anything.

[juddian]

Couldn’t agree more Dozy, i’ve watched them across yards reversing back mirrors alone (even under tankers), keep going all the way until it stops

It might have hitched up, it might have missed completely and stoved anything from rear air tanks to the landing leg bracing to the rear lights to the back of the cab itself to the deflectors or a combination of any, after missing the pin they’ve been known to raise the fifth wheel which is now under the tank barrel itself, it might even be the lottery win of half connected half not with the pin sitting on the jaws, ready for the trailer to detach at a pertinent moment a real double facepalm event…whatever happens the steering wheel operative won’t give a tuppeny one and will sail merrily on through their career leaving a trail of destruction in its wake…the suits running most places assume such a clown is typical and to be expected, so who’s the bigger fool here.

[actrosman]

From a few years ago when the Mercs were about 10 months old

[bigtruck3]

There’s always going to be people who don’t give a fling but the procedure is simple never a need to get out until it’s done to check and then do the rest of what you do
If you can’t do that simple procedure with your mirrors then I would imagine your the same going on a bay, head hanging out the window and no idea what your doing, it’s all you have the mirrors and the seat of your pants

[peterm]

Get outa that one.

[carryfast-yeti]

i always split-couple…after checking trailer brake is on,back part way under trailer,raise suspension,handbrake on engine off…get out and check pin position,couple up air lines then reverse under and do a double tug test.

[yourhavingalarf]

They…

Don’t fully understand what they’re doing. The same ones who drop an empty right up in the air and jam the leg winding handle until you can’t get it out.

[the_nodding_donkey]

Juddian:
Couldn’t agree more Dozy, i’ve watched them across yards reversing back mirrors alone (even under tankers), keep going all the way until it stops

It might have hitched up, it might have missed completely and stoved anything from rear air tanks to the landing leg bracing to the rear lights to the back of the cab itself to the deflectors or a combination of any, after missing the pin they’ve been known to raise the fifth wheel which is now under the tank barrel itself, it might even be the lottery win of half connected half not with the pin sitting on the jaws, ready for the trailer to detach at a pertinent moment a real double facepalm event…whatever happens the steering wheel operative won’t give a tuppeny one and will sail merrily on through their career leaving a trail of destruction in its wake…the suits running most places assume such a clown is typical and to be expected, so who’s the bigger fool here.

I always reverse under a tank, using my mirrors only…
I also understand the dynamics of the tank trailer. The reason why using the air suspension properly with tanks, is because tanks dont tend to have a chassis to take any strain. Because the legs and pin are effectively bolted straight to the barrel, any stress imposed on either, is transferred straight to the barrel, rather than a chassis.
Pushing the fifth wheel home, with the legs still on the ground, or not lined up straight, will cause damage to the barrel.
Doing a tug test, with the legs still on the ground, will, cause damage to the barrel.
Doing a too enthusiastical tug test, will do damage to the barrel. This is also a big issue with lead footed drivers who like to brake at the last minute before junctions and roundabouts and such… the strain o the pin area, and the fifth wheel is huge.
And worst of all, dropping a loaded trailer without lowering the suspension, all the force is put on the small area where the legs are bolted to the barrel.

[robroy]

yourhavingalarf:
They…

Don’t fully understand what they’re doing.

Not only that, ‘‘They’’ don’t know what they’re doing, in fact ‘‘They’’ CGAF what they’re doing.

[stu675]

carryfast-yeti:
i always split-couple…after checking trailer brake is on,back part way under trailer,raise suspension,handbrake on engine off…get out and check pin position,couple up air lines then reverse under and do a double tug test.

What’s the point of getting out to check the trailer brake is on before you go under rather than just before you attach the airlines?

[the_maoster]

Got your tin hat? ^^^^^

[yourhavingalarf]

stu675:
What’s the point of getting out to check the trailer brake is on before you go under rather than just before you attach the airlines?

99% of…

Dropped trailers will have the brake on. It’s automatic, the system is so designed to facilitate that. If you’re smart, you’ll do a walk around before you go under. That way if the lights are smashed, or a tyre is bald, you can save yourself a bit of hassle. Why not just check the brake is on too? It’s part of my routine, I just check it, I know it’ll be applied but, I still just check.

Let’s say the new lad in the workshop dropped the trailer and left it on shunt valve? Who’s arse is in the sling for any damage or injury if it runs away as your coupling up?

This whole job is about covering your backside these days.

[stu675]

yourhavingalarf:

stu675:
What’s the point of getting out to check the trailer brake is on before you go under rather than just before you attach the airlines?

99% of…

Dropped trailers will have the brake on. It’s automatic, the system is so designed to facilitate that. If you’re smart, you’ll do a walk around before you go under. That way if the lights are smashed, or a tyre is bald, you can save yourself a bit of hassle. Why not just check the brake is on too? It’s part of my routine, I just check it, I know it’ll be applied but, I still just check.

Let’s say the new lad in the workshop dropped the trailer and left it on shunt valve? Who’s arse is in the sling for any damage or injury if it runs away as your coupling up?

This whole job is about covering your backside these days.

Thanks, I guess I’m spoiled where I am. Trailer tyres never seem to have less than 4mm, lights may not work, but never seen them smashed and trailers are always against a bay or a fixed wheel stop.

Must admit I don’t know how the shunt valve works.

[yourhavingalarf]

stu675:
Thanks

You are…

Most welcome good sir.

[juddian]

stu675:

yourhavingalarf:

stu675:

Thanks, I guess I’m spoiled where I am. Trailer tyres never seem to have less than 4mm, lights may not work, but never seen them smashed and trailers are always against a bay or a fixed wheel stop.

Must admit I don’t know how the shunt valve works.

From memory so don’t take this as gospel, i rarely if ever use the shunt valve.

If the trailer is disconnected from the tractor air lines and the park brake is out (applied, on), it is possible to push the shunt valve in and it will stay in, the trailer brakes will all be released, if you fail to manually pull the shunt button back out again those brakes stay released hence as above the trailer will bugger off if you try and pick it up in this condition.
Pulling the black shunt button back out re-applies the spring brakes.

Where you might use this to your advantage is if you have the mother of all U turns you can’t avoid making and you don’t want your lines all covered in grease or the possibility of snapping one.

[carryfast-yeti]

stu675:

carryfast-yeti:
i always split-couple…after checking trailer brake is on,back part way under trailer,raise suspension,handbrake on engine off…get out and check pin position,couple up air lines then reverse under and do a double tug test.

What’s the point of getting out to check the trailer brake is on before you go under rather than just before you attach the airlines?

that’s the policy in our yard…and we have an office spy who wanders around the yard trying to catch driver’s out

[rambo19]

Same reason they don’t secure loads properly- lazy.

[stu675]

Juddian:

stu675:

yourhavingalarf:

stu675:

Thanks, I guess I’m spoiled where I am. Trailer tyres never seem to have less than 4mm, lights may not work, but never seen them smashed and trailers are always against a bay or a fixed wheel stop.

Must admit I don’t know how the shunt valve works.

From memory so don’t take this as gospel, i rarely if ever use the shunt valve.

If the trailer is disconnected from the tractor air lines and the park brake is out (applied, on), it is possible to push the shunt valve in and it will stay in, the trailer brakes will all be released, if you fail to manually pull the shunt button back out again those brakes stay released hence as above the trailer will bugger off if you try and pick it up in this condition.
Pulling the black shunt button back out re-applies the spring brakes.

Where you might use this to your advantage is if you have the mother of all U turns you can’t avoid making and you don’t want your lines all covered in grease or the possibility of snapping one.

Thanks, I managed to have a play today, but without taking it to conclusion. Approach an unconnected trailer, pushed in the brake it pops back out because of the air pressure. Push in the black shunt, then I could push in the brake and it stays off, (presumably). Thanks!