Truck Driving Jobs

steelhauler2007 · #1 08-09-2007, 03:27 PM

The company I went to work for has air dump valves on their flatbed trailers. Haven't used one before ,exactly how do they work?Have heard they make backing a spread axle alot easier.Thanks for any info.

Snowman7 · #2 08-09-2007, 07:26 PM

With a spread axle it puts alot of strain on the tires and axles making a tight turns. The dump valve releases the bags on the rear axle making tight turns less stressful on the axles.

GMAN · #3 08-09-2007, 10:20 PM

The dump valve releases the air from one of the trailer axles. By releasing the air, it takes pressure off of turning a spread axle. It can really save your tires and suspension, if used properly. NEVER run at highway speeds with the valve open. It puts most of the weight on the other axle. If the dump valve is on the rear axle, it will enable you to make a tighter turn than if it was the front axle.

NailGunner · #4 08-09-2007, 10:52 PM

When I pulled one I found it helpful to use it when backing

Useless · #5 08-10-2007, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GMAN

The dump valve releases the air from one of the trailer axles. By releasing the air, it takes pressure off of turning a spread axle. It can really save your tires and suspension, if used properly. NEVER run at highway speeds with the valve open. It puts most of the weight on the other axle. If the dump valve is on the rear axle, it will enable you to make a tighter turn than if it was the front axle.

Well, G-Man and Snowman!!

:shock: I just learned something new!! :shock:

All I ever drove was a box van and a rock bucket. I used the air dump for lowering the fifth wheel before uncoupling from a trailer. Didn'y even know about the other purposes for them!!
8)

GMAN · #6 08-10-2007, 12:29 AM

If you don't have a dump valve on the trailer and make a tight turn with a spread axle, you can put flat spots on the tires. Just one time can set a bad wear pattern. When you have a spread and don't have a dump valve, you will put a lot of stress on springs and other suspension parts and could cause early failure. It is like twisting a paperclip. Sooner or later with enough twisting it will break. :shock:

countryhorseman · #7 08-10-2007, 03:14 AM

With some trailers, with lots of flex, failure to use the dump valve during tight manuveurs could result in a roll-over also, even at slow speeds. The trailer gets bound up and starts to twist, then when you least expect it, it unloads and over she goes.

Saw one in Phoenix yesterday, came dangerously close to laying it over. And the darn thing would have more than likely ended up laying its load on top of my empty trailer.

:roll:

Did not feel like unloading another load at that time!

:lol:

fireman932003 · #8 08-10-2007, 03:35 AM

Huh. Learn something new every day!

geeshock · #9 08-10-2007, 04:39 AM

yeh, I knew about them helping with backing and making turns but never knew you could flip a spread in that kind of manor. I knew the tires draged the ground and resisted but never thought of it posably whiping like that.

Useless · #10 08-11-2007, 05:33 AM

After I finished the training phase with the company I drove for, I hooked up with a guy who became not only a mentor to me, but a very good friend as well. We ran teams together, and he taught me a lot.

He was a Mexican dude; he taught me that the air dump valve was for the purpose of being able to convert the truck into a lowrider when we were bobtailing!!