Real Time Fleet Management System
COMMON SEMITRAILER ISSUES Faulty Brake Lines & Pads. A missing or damaged gladhand connection is a common problem when hooking your trailer up. This prevents air from moving down each line to reach the piston at each end. If the gladhand has a tight fitting seal connected, the brakes could engage but not with the same force on each of the wheels. This could occur if the reserve tank does not contain enough air pressure. The piston that pushes the brake pads against the drum can't be moved without adequate pressure. Condensation may build up in the brake line or reserve tank. In winter, it is possible for ice to form within the brake line. This will block the air from reaching brake pads and create significant problems. The pad can also freeze to the drum due to low temperatures in winter.
Checking your semi-trailer tires. Tire Failures. Half of all truck accidents are caused by a flat tire. The result could be a tire failure if you don't take preventative measures to maintain your trailer tires. Trailers that have low tread tires or misaligned axles can put more stress on the tires and increase the risk of a blowout.