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This section provides information needed to pass the tests for combination vehicles (tractor-trailer, doubles, triples, straight truck with trailer). The information is only to give you the minimum knowledge needed for driving common combination vehicles. You should also study Section 7 if you need to pass the test for doubles and triples.
Combination vehicles are usually heavier, longer, and require more driving skill than single commercial vehicles. This means that drivers of combination vehicles need more knowledge and skill than drivers of single vehicles. In this section, we talk about some important safety factors that apply specifically to combination vehicles.
More than half of truck driver deaths in crashes result from truck rollovers. When more cargo is piled up in a truck, the "center of gravity" moves higher up from the road. The truck becomes easier to turn over. A fully loaded truck is ten times more likely to roll over in a crash than an empty truck.
To prevent a rollover, keep the cargo as close to the ground as possible, and drive slowly around turns. Keeping cargo low is even more important in combination vehicles than in straight trucks.
Also, keep the load centered on your truck, tractor, or semi. If the load is to one side so it makes a trailer lean, a rollover is more likely. Make sure your cargo is centered and spread out as much as possible. (Cargo distribution is covered in Section 3 of this manual.)
Rollovers happen when you turn too fast. Drive slowly around corners and when taking on-ramps and off-ramps. Avoid quick lane changes, especially when fully loaded.
More than half of truck driver deaths in crashes are the result of:
To prevent a rollover:
To prevent a rollover, keep the cargo as close to the ground as possible, and drive slowly around turns. Keeping cargo low is even more important in combination vehicles than in straight trucks.
Also, keep the load centered on your truck, tractor, or semi. If the load is to one side so it makes a trailer lean, a rollover is more likely. Make sure your cargo is centered and spread out as much as possible. (Cargo distribution is covered in Section 3 of this manual.)
A fully loaded truck is how much more likely to roll over in a crash than an empty truck?
When more cargo is piled up in a truck:
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