Tennessee CDL DMV Combination 1

While inspecting a coupling, you should go under the trailer and look into the back of the fifth wheel. Ensure that the fifth wheel jaws are secured around the shank of the kingpin.

To test the trailer service brakes, you should first ensure that the braking system has a normal air pressure level, then release the parking brake. You should then move the vehicle forward slowly and apply the brakes with the hand control. If the trailer service brakes are working properly, you will feel the brakes activate.

Before coupling together a tractor and a trailer, you should make sure the trailer is at the proper height. If the trailer is too low, the trailer nose may be damaged. If the trailer is too high, it may not be able to couple correctly.

The trailer service air line is also referred to as the control line or signal line.

You should always steer gently and smoothly while pulling a trailer. Making sudden steering moves could cause the trailer to tip over.

The trailer hand valve, also called the trolley valve or Johnson bar, is used to work the trailer brakes. It should be used only to test the brakes. Using it while a vehicle is in motion could cause a skid.

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.

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.

An empty combination vehicle will come to a complete stop more slowly than a fully-loaded vehicle. With less weight in a trailer, the stiff suspension springs and strong brakes will have lower traction than they would if the vehicle carried more weight.

Making a sudden lane change can be dangerous when driving a combination vehicle. Avoid the need to make a sudden lane change by looking down the road for upcoming obstacles that will require you to change lanes.

Rollovers happen as a result of drivers taking turns too fast.

The emergency air line controls the emergency brakes on a combination vehicle. A loss of air pressure in the emergency line will cause the emergency trailer brakes to activate.

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.

Rollovers can happen when a combination vehicle is turned too quickly. To help prevent the risk of rollover, it is important to keep the vehicle's center of gravity low by loading cargo as close to the ground as possible.

The service air line carries air and is controlled by either the foot brake or trailer hand brake. The service air line is attached to relay valves, which allow the trailer brakes to be applied quickly.

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

The emergency air line controls the emergency brakes on a combination vehicle. A loss of air pressure in the emergency line will cause the emergency trailer brakes to activate.

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.

The trailer service air line may also be referred to as the control line or signal line.

If you need to back your trailer but cannot back up in a straight path, you should back on a curved path toward the driver's side of the vehicle. This will permit you the best possible visibility while backing.