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What is the risk of using the trailer hand valve while driving to correct every trailer sway or slow the combination on a grade?
- A.Trailer-only braking is the recommended way to descend grades
- B.It charges the trailer tanks while braking
- C.Applying only the trailer brakes can overheat them or lock trailer wheels and worsen a skid or swing
- D.It prevents trailer brakes from ever fading
Correct answer
C. Applying only the trailer brakes can overheat them or lock trailer wheels and worsen a skid or swing
Why
Trailer brakes are sized to stop their share of a combination stop, not to drag the whole unit down a grade or manage sway by themselves. Balanced service braking, lower speed, and correct loading address sway and descent control safely.
Manual topic: Air Brakes - Trailer Air Brakes · From the Air Brakes practice bank (AB-249).