Page 106 - Driving Commercial Vehicles Manual+

chapter 5 — skills for driving trucks and trailers

Wrong Right

Never load your vehicle this way. The correct place for the
It may cause the frame to bend, concentrated load is partially over
will overload the rear tires and or just ahead of the rear axles with
takes enough weight off the front the longest side on the floor. Make
tires to make steering almost sure the load is securely blocked to
impossible. prevent it from sliding forward. (More
about this later in the chapter.)

On a rough road, a vehicle loaded A tractor trailer combination is the
this way may pivot on its rear correct vehicle to use for this type
wheels, taking the front wheels of service because a longer, heavy
entirely off the road. vehicle is needed to carry this long
load. Always use the correct vehicle
for the job. The risk of damage to
the truck and tires, and even serious
collisions, may be reduced.

This shows a heavy load with The load should be centred to
too much weight on the trailer’s properly distribute its weight over the
rear tires. The fifth wheel isn’t tires. The average semi-trailer type
supporting the load. The tractor’s truck has a central weight distribution
rear tires are likely to slip and point at approximately the middle
wear away rubber. This vehicle will of the trailer. Make sure the load is
also be difficult to stop because securely blocked to prevent it from
the braking distribution will be sliding forward. (More about this later
uneven. in the chapter.)

Never load items on the tailgate. This load should be placed partially
It puts a severe strain on the over or just ahead of the rear axles
equipment and can cause serious with its longest side on the floor.
collisions. Make sure the load is securely
For safety reasons, always blocked to prevent it from sliding
ensure you load your vehicle forward. (More about this later in
correctly. the chapter.)

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