Is It Just Bad Luck?
Topic 20908 | Page 1
Having the trailer ABS light flash on and off isn't really much of an issue. While it is technically not supposed to be on, they flicker all the time and not too much to worry about. Most times, it's a dirty wheel sensor that just needs to be cleaned and re installed and will function properly until it gets dirty again. The real issue is that trailer you have. If it truly did pull to one side while locked up, it's more than just a sensor, the brakes are seriously out of adjustment and need to be corrected.
If it truly did pull to one side while locked up, it's more than just a sensor, the brakes are seriously out of adjustment and need to be corrected.
Hi Robert, what do mean while locked up? The truck was still in motion, so l don't get it.
"Brake" lock.
Clean the pigtail connection on both your tractor and trailer. I use Valvoline starting fluid to clean mine and it usually clears up the ABS light problem. Probably just a dirty connector. The ether cleans all of that road grime off of the pigtail connection.
If not, and the ABS trailer light stays on, get it checked when you can.
Brake parts cleaner or actual connector cleaner is probably better than starting fluid. Starting fluid is quite flammable after all.
JJ
My trailer ABS light comes on for every single trailer I haul. Drives me nuts and I told the shop I think it's a problem with my truck. I'll have to try cleaning my connector too. No issues with control loss when I brake though.
Btw, sorry to hijack the thread Serah, does anyone know what the deal is with DOT on the ABS light? I've heard from some people they can place you OOS for it (or at least give you a fix-it ticket) and from others that they can't place you OOS for it because ABS is not required for safe operation of the vehicle. I don't believe the second group of people because (A) ABS is required on all newer trailers and (B) DOT can pretty much always find a reason to place you out of service if they want to. But I would think most officers would be obliged to just let you on by if you are nice and promise to get it fixed right away. Can anyone shed some light on this?
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
I have had two other CFI drivers tell me they have problems with trailer ABS lights. Those two trucks are KW T680's of different years and mileage. Try cleaning the elecrical connections at both ends of the pigtail that may help. If it happens with every trailer, it may be a problem on your truck. As far as that flat bedder, that was bad driving on his part. Sounds like he may have been traveling to fast for the work zone. Hope you didn't take that 10 minute break in the work zone. Did they send a tow for you? How did you get to a shop?
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.New Reply:
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Yesterday l was traveling on I-20 - westbound and at a section under construction, a flat bedder who was eastbound, lost control of his truck and it almost crossed over to my side (wish l could figure out how to post pics) ...had to break hard, then l stopped for 10 minutes to give my shaking hands and legs time to relax before moving on.
For the last 4 days the trailer abs warning light has been coming off and on - with 5 trailers, after taking of them to the shop, am beginning to wonder if the problem is with the trailers....but what do l know!
Yesterday l felt as if the trailer skidded abit but thought maybe it was the uneven roads. Today it happened twice and the second time it almost went off the road....veeerrry scary, it wasn't the road and it wasn't windy either. I decided not to drive anymore even after roadside said l should drive to the nearest terminal....160 miles back to El Paso. I said NO, l wasn't driving anymore till someone looked at it.
Now waiting at the intersection between I-10E and I-20E in TX.
Wave when you pass by...lol.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
TWIC:
Transportation Worker Identification Credential
Truck drivers who regularly pick up from or deliver to the shipping ports will often be required to carry a TWIC card.
Your TWIC is a tamper-resistant biometric card which acts as both your identification in secure areas, as well as an indicator of you having passed the necessary security clearance. TWIC cards are valid for five years. The issuance of TWIC cards is overseen by the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.