I guess your right, the tug test would be against the spring brakes. we also do a test with just the spike which ensures that the brakes are working. Although in my case a 2 or three foot roll did not find the problem that I outlined earlier, it was only during a hard application that the brakes failed to apply as they should.
I guess my question is more of one relating to the outside service working on the trailers. As trailers have no dvir, at least not in my centre, a driver has know idea what if any work has been done on a trailer. This is not the first time I have had problems with trailers serviced by this outside service, other examples of problems I have had are over torqued bearings ( they catch on fire ), loose wheel nuts, hub nuts only finger tight, numerous air leaks from valves not being put together correctly, air lines blowing out of fittings due to not having the furl put in etc etc..... Just wondering if this is typical, or have I a uniqe situation????
It has been my practice that when first hooking up (snapping to the king pin) I tug to check for hook. Essentially testing the spring brakes on the trailers, that is, to see if they have automatically locked up due to air being disconnected.
After air lines are hooked up, proper pre-trip is completed, air is built up to normal PSI and ready to go, I tug on whole set with hand valve, you call it a spike, some call it a trolley, whatever, to see how service brakes are performing. When so doing, I try to bend around a corner to see if dolly and back trailer(s) are responding.
It sounds like you did exactly as you should have.
It could have been that this kink in the line could have gotten worse with a little road vibration, turning out of the yard, a miriad of sniggly reasons. It could be that you just didn't notice it as much in the yard.
You state that you don't have DVIR for trailers at your center. You DO have a Car Condition Report that you have to sign off after every trip, don't you? It is DOT requirment. You have a responsiblity to sign it but you also have a RIGHT to go back and review it if you feel something has been, uh, "fixed".
I DON'T understand how an outside service can be performing these tasks. We have never, at least here, resorted to that, only when trailers are in need of severe repair that cannot be done here or in need of body work where they are sent to UPS trailer shop. I see by other posts, tho, that that is happening.
I would recommend that, from now on as has been alluded to on this thread by other posters, you do a COMPLETE pre-trip, even it that means crawling under the trailers to inspect lines, u-bolts, brakes, springs, etc. If hassled by supes, merely point to the example you gave in this thread. This is a LIFE AND DEATH situation here! Not merely a package delivery issue! And with these outside services you DONOT feel safe until every base is covered!
A few examples I have personally seen:
This and a few other hubs and centers around the country, insist on snapping all doubles together for the drivers. One of our drivers (now retired) insisted on breaking em apart every day because HE wanted to know what he had and felt. Company was indignant but he lasted til retired!
Another driver insists on wiping down Compliance Reflective tape around sides and back of every trailer. Company wants to shoot him! He's still around!
Other drivers DO crawl under trailers to do just what I stated above. Now with these "bargain" container trailers we've had for the last few yrs, we've had cracked frames (chassis), glad hand connections falling off, broken springs, loose u-bolts, on and on.
Company wants to light a fire under em, but, you know what? They're all being safe. What's more important?
Do what you gotta do to be safe. Not be fast!
