Trailer Brake

The truck I drive now has a trailer brake. This is the first time I see it, so I started asking people and got very contradicting answers. Some use it only to slide tandems and do a tug test, some use it on the road to save tractor brakes, some say that it is an emergency brake to fix a jackknife. Or maybe I don't need it since many trucks don't have it at all?

Thats interesting. I thought they all had it, but apparently they're doing away with the manual setting in auto shifters as well so who knows.

There are only 2 times I've ever used the trailer brake. The most common is my pretrip. It's how I make sure there are no service brake air leaks, the brake lights with and that the trailer has brakes during the 5 tugs.

Second was in a manual truck and I stalled out going uphill. I had to start the truck in neutral, supply air and put it in gear. I release the clutch and trailer brake at the same time to not stall out again and not roll backwards.

I seen a guy coming down the hill into Bakersfield and his trailer tires were smoking. I think he was using his trailer brakes. Dk if he was using his jakes. I thought was pretty careless

The truck I drive now has a trailer brake. This is the first time I see it, so I started asking people and got very contradicting answers. Some use it only to slide tandems and do a tug test, some use it on the road to save tractor brakes, some say that it is an emergency brake to fix a jackknife. Or maybe I don't need it since many trucks don't have it at all?

Usually refered to as trolley brake and I sure as hell wouldn't pull it in a jackknife. Wheels that break traction want to lead, the wheels that are still rolling are not the problem.

Actually I was reading up on this and it looks like it can save a trailer that's starting to come around. It can also make a bad situation worse by causing more of your trailer tires to break traction.

I've only had one trailer get out of line on me and I accelerated the truck until it got back in line. It was at moderate speed (~40 mph) in icy conditions. I didn't have a trolley brake to worry about. I guess if accelerating the truck doesn't work give it a shot, ha.

My 2018 Cascadia daycab has it. I just use it to test the service brakes on the trailer when doing a PTI. Other then that never use it.

I use mine to slide tandems and tug test. With engine off and key on, red pushed in, you can engage the hand break/trolley break to check for trailer air leaks.

Never had a truck that had it until recently. I actually DO use it every single day for a large portion of the day. As you can see in the picture, it makes a great place to hang my sunglasses. They're not heavy enough to pull it and they don't run the lenses so no scratches. Lmao, but thats probably not the use you was looking for. Also, notice the flat top of the steering wheel makes for a great place to keep the back scratcher.