When you drive a big vehicle with a heavy load, like a Great Dane semi-trailer, you want to be sure that every component is working properly. Though large vehicles take longer to stop, you should have some sense of how long it should take to stop and plan accordingly on how fast to drive in certain areas, plus what distance you need to keep between yourself and other vehicles.
Most experienced truck drivers have a good sense of all of these things. However, if the brake is not adjusted properly then no matter how skilled of a driver you are, you will find it harder to stop. The longer the brakes stay unadjusted, the more likely it is to cause other damage to the truck, as well. Read on to find out how to adjust Great Dane trailer brakes.
How Do I Adjust Great Dane Trailer Brakes?
Because Great Dane trailers use an air brake system, apart from just making sure that the brakes themselves are functioning properly, it is also important to make sure that air is flowing through properly. The two parts work together.
To ensure that they are working as they are supposed to, take the following steps.
Check the Air Couplers
The things you should be looking out for include whether the seal between the coupler is good. If there is any cracking on the filter housing or damage to the seal itself, it will likely need to be replaced.
If the couplers have air filters, follow these steps:
- Clean them out
- Make sure there is not any damage
- Check that they are not rubbing against each other or on a metal surface, as this can cause additional damage
Now, let’s look at the next step.
Clean the Air System
This includes making sure that any moisture and any other dirt or debris is cleared out of the air tank every day. This is especially important during cold months where any moisture has the potential to freeze.
Check for Any Sealers That May Have Landed In the Air Tank
It is fairly common to use Teflon tape or thread sealers to help seal the airlines. They do their job well, however, you have to make sure that no pieces of tape or sealers wear out and land in the tank.
If they do, they have the potential to block passages and cause air to back up, making the brake system malfunction or potentially lead to more permanent brake damage.
Check the System for Any Leaks Or Tears
The best way to figure out if there is a leak is to check the pressure gauge. If you notice that the air pressure drops suddenly or takes a while to build up, there is likely a leak that needs to be sealed.
Leaks are a common occurrence in these places:
- Reservoirs
- Lines
- Hoses
- Valves
Now, let’s take a look at the next step.
Turn On the Truck and Run the Engine
While doing this step, remember to keep an eye on the pressure gauge.
The gauge should reach 105 psi before you turn it off. If it does not reach that point or takes a long time to reach that point, then there is a leak in one of the parts mentioned above. You may also be able to hear any air leaks, so try to keep any background noise to a minimum so you can listen closely.
Turn Off the Truck and Keep Your Foot Off the Brake
The next thing you should do is turn off the truck and keep your foot off of the brake. Like the last step, you should also keep an eye on the pressure gauge.
If there is a big pressure drop (anything over 3 psi/per minute) then there are still issues that need to be fixed.
Keep the Truck Off and Press Your Foot On the Brake
Now you can press your foot on the brake at full capacity for two minutes. If the pressure drops by more than 4 psi per minute while the brake is being pressed, then there are still issues that need to be fixed.
Open the Drain Cocks While Holding Down the Brakes
If you have taken every step and there is no issue with tears or unexpected drops in pressure, then this is the last step. Keep the truck turned off and open the drain cocks in the air tanks. This will allow the pressure to drop to where it needs to, and the brakes should start working.
Conclusion
Driving a Great Dane trailer requires practice and skill. Knowing when to brake, how hard to brake, and the amount of distance you should leave between you and other vehicles are all valuable and important. However, being aware of how responsive your brakes are, whether they need to be adjusted, and how to adjust them is also incredibly important.
Make sure that your air tank is clear of debris and moisture, particularly in the winter. Check the air couplers, reservoirs, lines, hoses, and valves for any tears or leaks. Make sure the pressure does not drop too much with the truck turned off both pressing and not pressing the brake. Lastly, open the drain cocks to activate the brakes.