Page 102 - Driving Commercial Vehicles Manual+

chapter 5 — skills for driving trucks and trailers

❏ Truck and trailer • the truck pintle hook should line up with
alignment the trailer pintle eye • adjust the drawbar
height if needed so that the pintle eye is
just slightly higher than the pintle hook

5. Prepare to connect to the trailer

Re-enter cab.
Release truck parking brakes.
Sound your horn before backing.
driving tip Slowly back up to a position where the pintle eye can be lowered onto the
pintle hook.
If the trailer doesn’t have
spring brakes, before • back up to the trailer so that the pintle
connecting to the trailer: ❏ Trailer connection
eye is directly over the pintle hook
• connect the air lines to the
trailer
• charge the trailer air 6. Connect to the trailer
system
Set truck parking brakes.
• apply the trailer brakes.
Turn on lights.
Exit cab.
Lower the pintle eye onto the pintle hook.

Close the pintle hook safety latch.
Attach the safety cables and/or chains between the truck and trailer.
fast fact Raise the drawbar support leg (if equipped).

A trip inspection report is Connect the air lines, electrical cable and hydraulic lines (if equipped) between
required for every new trailer the truck and trailer.
you pick up each day.
Remove and store the wheel blocks.
Check the following:

❏ Trailer connection • pintle eye is secured in pintle hook
check • safety latch is locked • safety cables and/
or chains are in place and securely fastened
• drawbar support leg (if equipped) is
retracted and secured • air lines, electrical
cable and hydraulic lines (if equipped) are
securely connected

❏ Trailer lights • check that the trailer electrical connection
is secure by checking trailer lights including
tail lights, brake lights, licence plate light
and clearance lights

❏ Trailer turning • clearance between rear of truck and front
clearance check of trailer

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