Page 101 - Driving Commercial Vehicles Manual+

driving commercial vehicles

1. Inspect pintle hitch and trailer

Set truck parking brakes.
Exit cab.
Check the following:
driving tip

Apply the trailer brakes ❏ Pintle hook • check pintle hook and latch for cracks
before coupling to the trailer. and wear

❏ Trailer • if the trailer is equipped with spring
brakes, make sure they have applied
• block trailer wheels • check that any
fast fact cargo is secure • check pintle eye for cracks
or excessive wear

Some trailers don’t have
spring brakes. With these, ❏ Area around trailer • ensure the area is clear
connect the lines and charge
the trailer system and then
apply the trailer brakes 2. Position the truck
before connecting to the
trailer. Re-enter the truck.
Release truck brakes.

Move truck to a position directly in front of and in line with the trailer.

❏ Truck position • make sure the truck is in line with the trailer
• check your position using outside mirrors
— if the truck and trailer are lined up, you
should be able to see an equal portion of
each side of the trailer in each mirror

driving tip 3. Back up to the trailer

Turn on four-way flashers and sound horn.
You need to be very accurate
in placing the pintle hook Back up slowly toward the trailer and stop just before the pintle hook on the
relative to the trailer pintle truck touches the trailer pintle eye.
eye.
Place a block of wood or
other marker beside one of ❏ Truck position • stop just before the pintle hook on the
your truck tires that’s visible truck touches the pintle eye on the trailer
in your mirrors to help you • make sure you’re backing in a straight line
see how accurately you’ve (if you’re on an angle, it’s more difficult to
positioned the pintle hook. position the truck to hook up to the trailer)

4. Check height and alignment

Set the truck parking brakes.
Exit cab.
Check the following:

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