Quick Question re Vic Truck Jack-knife Footage

[noflac52]

Truck driver did a great job. Wiped off as much speed as possible in the short distance then let the brakes off to a degree where the trailer came back in line before threading the needle between the other truck and the car.

The weather was good and the road was dry so there weren't any extenuating circumstances requiring extra levels of caution. It was just one of those things that happen from time to time no matter how cautious we are.

When you consider the billions of klms travelled by vehicles vs the number of trees across a road its not really a very regular occurrence.

[beardo]

Originally Posted by Olbucko

Don't see fallen trees on main roads very often, but on backroads it can take the council several days to clear trees after a bad storm or heavy snow. If you can't wait you just get out there with your neighbour and your chainsaw and do it yourself. Happened on my road dozens of times in the last 30 years.

Bit off topic but probably won't be able to do that soon. Be careful where you bring out your saw in public in victoria

[mike_nofx]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

You can tell by the trailer bounce that it's empty.

This is always a problem when you have ABS on the Prime Mover but not on the trailers.

Oh yeah I got that the trailer must be empty, was just wondering if a loaded trailer would have been 'safer' in this situation?

[Tickford 302]

The reason the trailer stepped out is because he pulled on the trailer break. Semis have a hand valve on the steering column to regulate how much air goes to the trailer breaks. The foot break supplies air to both primemover and trailer but the hand valve supplies the trailer only. I'm guessing as he needed to pull up in a hurry because he was peddling pretty hard. Not a bad job to miss the other truck but it all comes down to experience. Once you had a trailer step out a few times you learn to correct it. Like with anything I guess. Hope this helps.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by Tickford 302

The reason the trailer stepped out is because he pulled on the trailer break. Semis have a hand valve on the steering column to regulate how much air goes to the trailer breaks. The foot break supplies air to both primemover and trailer but the hand valve supplies the trailer only. I'm guessing as he needed to pull up in a hurry because he was peddling pretty hard. Not a bad job to miss the other truck but it all comes down to experience. Once you had a trailer step out a few times you learn to correct it. Like with anything I guess. Hope this helps.

LOL... when was the last time you drove a Semi ?

And NO experienced driver pulls on the trailer brake hand piece (usually only seen in American Trucks), especially when they're empty.

[Tickford 302]

Today champ. My western star. Has this set up. as do most trucks. What do you drive. ..?

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by Tickford 302

Today champ. My western star. Has this set up. as do most trucks. What do you drive. ..?

As I said. Most Seppo Trucks still have the Trailer handpiece.

As for driving now, nothing. I quit full time driving 2 years ago, but if you've read the whole thread you must have seen post 20.

[.:4:.]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

As I said. Most Seppo Trucks still have the Trailer handpiece.

As for driving now, nothing. I quit full time driving 2 years ago, but if you've read the whole thread you must have seen post 20.

I Agee to an extent. Whilst I'm not a semi drive I know how trailer brakes react different on an unlaiden trailer to a loaded one. The driver did a very good job of saving his own life with a giant pendulum swinging off the back, and yes he damaged another car, however it could have been 2 lives lost.

[Tickford 302]

What's a "seppo" truck...? I drive a 2007 Constalation. I'm not sure what seppo is..?

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by Tickford 302

What's a "seppo" truck...? I drive a 2007 Constalation. I'm not sure what seppo is..?

Seppo, rhyming slang meaning Septic Tank =Yank.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Seppo

[asagaai]

Originally Posted by .:4:.

I Agee to an extent. Whilst I'm not a semi drive I know how trailer brakes react different on an unlaiden trailer to a loaded one. The driver did a very good job of saving his own life with a giant pendulum swinging off the back, and yes he damaged another car, however it could have been 2 lives lost.

Disagree- could have been 3 lives lost.

Truck driver did a great job handling the rig.

Few years ago was involved in a matter, involved a B double head on collision with another B double at speed, 1 rig fully loaded. Front steer tyre blow out on 1 rig, head on collision with both rigs going at about 100kph......

One issue was drivers disabling drive tyre brakes to save those tyres, and relying on trailer brakes (retreads) to do heavy lifting brake wear. But this would also cause more wear on steer tyres.

In this scenario, not saying it was done as its illegal, but if drive tyre brakes disconnected, more brake emphasis is transferred to rear-may cause rear trailers to swing out more. Just putting this out as a food for thought factor, and not one in play here.

Great job by the driver to save 3 lives. Lot of truckies get a bad wrap, but in that matter it was interesting to see how professional some long distance truckies are and how careful and fastidious they are about their machinery.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Tickford 302

because he pulled on the trailer break.

wait, what? he broke the trailer?

[JG33]

Originally Posted by mike_nofx

Oh yeah I got that the trailer must be empty, was just wondering if a loaded trailer would have been 'safer' in this situation?

Had it been fully loaded the outcome would have been different.
Trailer would have tipped over.

[mik]

Originally Posted by asagaai

Disagree- could have been 3 lives lost.

Truck driver did a great job handling the rig.

Few years ago was involved in a matter, involved a B double head on collision with another B double at speed, 1 rig fully loaded. Front steer tyre blow out on 1 rig, head on collision with both rigs going at about 100kph......

One issue was drivers disabling drive tyre brakes to save those tyres, and relying on trailer brakes (retreads) to do heavy lifting brake wear. But this would also cause more wear on steer tyres.

In this scenario, not saying it was done as its illegal, but if drive tyre brakes disconnected, more brake emphasis is transferred to rear-may cause rear trailers to swing out more. Just putting this out as a food for thought factor, and not one in play here.

Great job by the driver to save 3 lives. Lot of truckies get a bad wrap, but in that matter it was interesting to see how professional some long distance truckies are and how careful and fastidious they are about their machinery.

the old kennys used to have a control on the dash so you could disable the front brakes to avoid skidding/losing steering.

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

You didn't read the article in the link?

No, I saw the vid a day earlier

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

No, I saw the vid a day earlier

Ah ok, in the article it states that the Lady ran into the bush out of the way.

[Vesper Martini]

Guys he would have just hit the brakes, just like a car the weight transfers forwards.
because it was empty, theres no weight to keep the trailer from skidding (just like in utes). but times by ..lots
as gasOlene says the tractor unit would have ABS its pretty hard to stop the trailer from trying to overtake.
My Brother had BTrain Tanker completely wrapped up when he hit black ice on a down hill, was only doing about 40kph
now had it been loaded who knows what would have happened, I recon he could have gone straight into the parked truck.

[smoo]

Originally Posted by asagaai

Disagree- could have been 3 lives lost.

Truck driver did a great job handling the rig.

Few years ago was involved in a matter, involved a B double head on collision with another B double at speed, 1 rig fully loaded. Front steer tyre blow out on 1 rig, head on collision with both rigs going at about 100kph......

One issue was drivers disabling drive tyre brakes to save those tyres, and relying on trailer brakes (retreads) to do heavy lifting brake wear. But this would also cause more wear on steer tyres.

In this scenario, not saying it was done as its illegal, but if drive tyre brakes disconnected, more brake emphasis is transferred to rear-may cause rear trailers to swing out more. Just putting this out as a food for thought factor, and not one in play here.

Great job by the driver to save 3 lives. Lot of truckies get a bad wrap, but in that matter it was interesting to see how professional some long distance truckies are and how careful and fastidious they are about their machinery.

Did you have part in the investigation for the crash you describe above?
Because I can't make any sense of it, to disconnect drive brakes to save tyre wear, when she's under full load up hill 600hp/2500nm is going to chew the tyres more than any braking ever will.
As well as the park brake being on the same axles, if the brakes were backed off old mate has no park brakes for when he wants to disconnect and go down the road for a pub meal. Unless service brake lines have been disconnected and crimped over then highly illegal and would result in the truck going no where at a roadside inspection and most likely make front page of all national newspapers the following day with braindead sensationalist MSM tarring the road transport industry because of one cowboy.
Disconnecting drive brakes would have no bearing on the load placed on steer tyres as most steer axles on trucks with sleeper cabs are up at max axle weight whether loaded or not. Could it be old mate jewed out on a set of steer tyres until 'when ya get back'?

As for the video an unloaded trailer on leaf springs lock up far too easily and are impossible to get an accurate brake reading when put on over a set of brake rollers. Unlike the newer airbag stuff which have load sensing brake valves that regulate the amount of pressure applied to the brakes. Coupled with ABS reduces the chance of what happened in the video.

[LyleXR8]

Pulling the hand piece to stop? Anyone with half a brain wouldn't do that and I doubt his brain wouldve thought that quick to grab it in an emergency

[Kingsley]

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

Guys he would have just hit the brakes, just like a car the weight transfers forwards.
because it was empty, theres no weight to keep the trailer from skidding (just like in utes). but times by ..lots
as gasOlene says the tractor unit would have ABS its pretty hard to stop the trailer from trying to overtake.
My Brother had BTrain Tanker completely wrapped up when he hit black ice on a down hill, was only doing about 40kph
now had it been loaded who knows what would have happened, I recon he could have gone straight into the parked truck.

A colleague I once worked with was running late with a delivery. He phoned the boss to let him know he late. He then jackknifed the truck. He immediately rang the boss back and said 'Looks like I might be on time after all. My trailer just passed me going the other way!!!'

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by mik

the old kennys used to have a control on the dash so you could disable the front brakes to avoid skidding/losing steering.

Mik, mine still has. dry road/wet road valve. Kenworth poverty pack ABS.

[roKWiz]

This one happened recently in Sydney. outcome could have been a lot worse.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4WkJS2Ds7o

[nuthin' fancy]

Originally Posted by marty351

Truck driver is a legend not to have lost it completely..

The way he came off the brakes to straighten up and avoid the truck with the camera was great driving.

Sacrificed the girl's car but things happen.

[mik]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

Mik, mine still has. dry road/wet road valve. Kenworth poverty pack ABS.

Good banger the old kennys, but the Abs wouldn't be a bad feature for them, driving bob tail in the wet certainly an exciting time.
Reminds me of a time driving a single drive acco 555 auto bin truck empty/no bin on the back .......... Down a large Hill with traffic lights at the bottom , exciting times.

[mik]

Originally Posted by nuthin' fancy

The way he came off the brakes to straighten up and avoid the truck with the camera was great driving.

Sacrificed the girl's car but things happen.

I'd say he didn't have a lot of choice with the ladies car, but, it was a good job to miss the truck all the same , by the same token her car probably would have been pretty stuffed after crashing over the log.