Braking Basics

Posted in Trucker Lifestyle by Brian ·  

There may be no more important system on your rig than your braking system. It’s important to keep them working properly by maintaining your truck’s brakes, keeping braking fluid levels filled, and tires properly inflated. Following these braking basic tips can be the difference between arriving safely at your destination or not arriving at all.

One of the best things you can do to keep your braking system working when you need it is to perform regular inspections and maintenance.

Start with the tires. If your tires are inadequate, it won’t matter how good your braking system is. Check your owner’s manual to see how to properly inflate your tires and how to check their inflation.

During winter weather, you may want to purchase chains for your tires if you know you’re going to be driving on hard packed snow or ice. Depending upon where you’re driving, it may be required for you to drive on certain roads. Be sure to follow your vehicle instruction manual for installing chains. Poorly installed chains can become damaged which could come off and injure someone or irreparably damage your vehicle.

Check your brake shoes regularly to be sure they aren’t worn and check the brake drums for cracking. Look carefully at the brake line to be sure it isn’t worn or damaged. If there isn’t any visible damage, your brakes should be good to go. However, don’t forget to do a visual inspection often to ensure their safety and ability to brake.

After you’re confident that your braking system is in working order, follow these braking basic steps:

• Push down firmly on the brake pedal. Control braking by keeping your food held steady on the pedal – don’t let up! Try to avoid braking overly hard so you don’t skid.
• While the newer trucks have anti-lock braking systems, they require a light, steady foot to brake most effectively. Don’t pump, fan, or stab your ABS brakes.
• Keep your hands at 3 and 9 on the steering wheel and don’t turn the wheel unless it is absolutely not avoidable.
• Downshift the transmission to help you slow down if braking isn’t happening quickly enough. Look for a way to avoid an accident by seeing if there is an open lane or open shoulder wide enough to pull the truck. If this one is available, gently remove your foot from the brake pedal and head off in the open direction that will allow you to avoid hitting someone. When you’re clear of a possible accident and going straight again, begin controlled braking again until you can stop completely.

If you keep your braking system in tip-top condition, inspect the system before leaving for a trip, and being prepared for a brake failure when driving down hill, you’ll be better prepared to handle any problem. These braking basics are things all truck drivers know but it doesn’t hurt to refresh your memory from time to time.

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