Montana CDL DMV Combination 1

When making a turn, be sure to steer gently and smoothly. Making a quick turn while pulling trailers is dangerous and can increase the risk of the last trailer rolling over.

Bobtail tractors are tractors that are not attached to any semitrailers. When operating a bobtail, you should be aware that stopping can be difficult and that it will take a longer distance to come to a complete stop than a tractor attached to a loaded semitrailer.

In a combination vehicle with air brakes, the tractor protection valve keeps air in the tractor or truck brake system in the event of the trailer breaking away or developing a leak.

To lower the risk of a rollover, load your cargo as closely to the ground as possible. To further reduce this risk, take curves and corners slowly.

When connecting a converter dolly to a second or third trailer, the trailer height should be correct. It should be slightly lower than the center of the fifth wheel.

Shut-off valves are used in air supply lines to control the passage of air from one trailer to another. The rear shut-off valve should always be closed to prevent air from leaving the braking system.

When starting a trip, be sure that all shut-off valves are in the open position, except for the last valves on the rear trailer. It is important that air reaches the brakes on all trailers and that the air is not able to escape from the back of the vehicle.

More than half of all accident-related truck driver deaths are a result of truck rollovers. To help prevent a rollover, be sure to load cargo low to the ground and centered on your rig. Take corners slowly and carefully.

All trailers and converter dollies manufactured on or after March 1, 1998 must be equipped with Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS).

At speeds below 40 mph, you should allow at least one second of following distance for every 10 feet of your vehicle. Follow the same formula when traveling at faster speeds, then add one additional second to your following distance. Remember that larger vehicles require more space to stop than smaller vehicles.

You should test the tractor protection valve by allowing the air supply to properly charge, turning off the engine, then releasing air from the system by pressing the brake pedal several times. The tractor protection valve should move into its emergency position when psi drops to an unsafe level.

Correctly following the steps to couple and uncouple trailers is vital to safely operating a combination vehicle. Before backing your tractor under the trailer while coupling, make sure your trailer brakes are locked.

Never use the trailer hand valve while parking because doing so may release the air pressure from the braking system, releasing the brakes that are holding the vehicle in place. Instead, use the parking brake or wheel chocks.

At speeds below 40 mph, you should allow at least one second of following distance for every 10 feet of your vehicle. Follow the same formula when traveling at faster speeds, then add one additional second to your following distance. Remember that larger vehicles require more space to stop than smaller vehicles.

On newer vehicles, the trailer air supply control is an eight-sided red knob. It's used to control the tractor protection valve.

Landing gear, or trailer supports, should always be completely raised before a vehicle is driven. When uncoupling, landing gear should be lowered to make firm contact with the ground. If a trailer is loaded when it is being uncoupled, you should lower the landing gear and turn the crank a few additional times to remove some weight from the trailer.

Due to the "crack-the-whip" effect caused by rearward amplification, changing lanes too quickly in a combination vehicle can result in a rollover.

The function of an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) is to prevent a vehicle's wheels from locking up during hard braking.

Air tanks should be drained daily to remove water and oil buildup. An excess of oil and water in the air tanks can interfere with proper brake function.

Be sure to test the trailer emergency brakes before beginning a trip. After ensuring that the trailer rolls freely, you can test the emergency brakes by pulling out the trailer air supply control, or placing it in the "emergency" position. Pull forward slightly with the tractor and make sure the trailer does not move.