THE TOP 75 MOST COMMON

Combination

vehicles
QUESTIONS
Lose the fear of the unknown. Study the most common
CDL combination vehicles questions so you'll know
what to expect on the big test day.

h a t 

o w w t
Kn expe c
to

DRIVING-TESTS. ORG
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DRIVING-TESTS. ORG
1. What is true about stopping distances? 5. Air lines on a combination vehicle are often
"Bobtail" tractors can take longer to stop than colored to keep them from getting mixed up.
a combination vehicle loaded to the maximum The emergency line is _________ ; the

gross weight. service line is _________.

When a combination vehicle is empty or lightly red; blue
loaded, its braking distance increases. The very To keep the air lines from being mismatched,
stiff suspension springs and strong brakes give they can be labeled with metal tags or color
poor traction and make it very easy to lock the coded. Blue is used for the service lines, and
wheels. Likewise, "bobtail" tractors (tractors red is used for the emergency lines. Couple the
without semitrailers) can take longer to stop air lines of the same color.
than a fully loaded tractor-trailer. Be very careful
when driving a "bobtail" tractor.
6. If the brakes did not release when you
pushed the trailer air supply valve, you
2. Under good driving conditions, you
should
should leave at least one second of space
between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead check the air line connections.
for every _________ feet of your vehicle's If you cross the emergency and service air lines,
length. air will flow to the service line instead of the
trailer air tanks. Air won't be available to release
10
the spring brakes. Therefore, if the spring
Because sudden turns or steering adjustments brakes don't release when you push the trailer
can cause a large vehicle to tip over, and air supply control, check the air line
braking takes longer time and distance the connections.
bigger a load, you should keep a safe distance
from other vehicles, give yourself at least 1 7. You supply air to the trailer tanks by
second for every 10 feet of your truck's length,
pushing in the trailer air supply valve.
and another second if you're travelling faster
than 40 mph. O n newer vehicles, the trailer air supply control
is an eight-sided red knob on the dashboard of
3. Semi-trailers made before 1975 that are the tractor. The knob may be labeled "Pull to
equipped with air brakes exhaust...Push to supply" or something similar.
When you push the knob in, air will flow through
often do not have spring brakes.
the trailer's emergency air lines to charge the
Trailers and converter dollies built before 1975 trailer air brake system.
are not required to have spring brakes. Instead,
they rely on emergency brakes that hold using 8. When you turn suddenly while pulling
air pressure. Because air pressure can leak doubles, which trailer is most likely to turn
away, always use wheel chocks when parking over?
such vehicles.
The rear trailer is twice as likely to turn over
as the tractor.
4. What are the other names for the service
air line? Because of rearward amplification, the last
trailer on a combination vehicle has the highest
Control line and signal line.
probability of rolling over. This is called the
The service air line is also known as the control crack-the-whip effect.
line or signal line.

T h e to p 7 5 m o st c o m m o n C o m b i n at i o n V e h i c l e s q u e st i o n s 1
9. After you have coupled the trailer, you 13. You are coupling a tractor to a semi-
should start to raise the landing gear by trailer. You have connected the air lines.
using Before backing under the trailer, you should
low gear. supply air to the trailer system and then pull
Start to raise the landing gear by using the low out the air supply knob.
gear range (if the landing gear is so equipped). Before backing under the trailer, check that the
Then switch to the high gear range once the trailer brakes are working and then lock the
trailer supports are free of weight. trailer brakes. Once you've attached the air
lines, there are a number of checks you should
10. What gear should the tractor engine be make: Check the glad hand seals. Make sure
in after you uncouple the trailer and are that the air lines won't be caught or crushed
inspecting the trailer supports? when you back under the trailer. Charge the
trailer air brake system and verify that it's
Neutral. working without significant air loss. Then set the
Before you inspect the trailer supports of the trailer air supply control to shut off the air and
landing gear, secure the tractor by applying the put on the trailer emergency brakes.
parking brake and placing the transmission in
Neutral. 14. You are coupling a tractor to a semi-trailer.
You have connected the air lines. Before
11. Describe what the trailer air supply backing under the trailer, you should
control does. supply air to the trailer system and then pull
It is used to supply the trailer with air, shut the out the air supply knob.
air off, and apply the trailer emergency
Before backing under the trailer, check that the
brakes.
trailer brakes are working and then lock the
On newer vehicles, the trailer air supply control trailer brakes. Once you've attached the air
is an eight-sided red knob on the dashboard of lines, there are a number of checks you should
the tractor. The knob may be labeled "Pull to make: Check the glad hand seals. Make sure
exhaust...Push to supply" or something similar. that the air lines won't be caught or crushed
When you push the knob in, air will flow through when you back under the trailer. Charge the
the trailer's emergency air lines to charge the trailer air brake system and verify that it's
trailer air brake system. Pulling out the knob working without significant air loss. Then set the
shuts off the flow of air and causes the trailer trailer air supply control to shut off the air and
emergency brakes to come on. put on the trailer emergency brakes.

12. When you test the tractor protection 15. The hand valve should be used
valve, the red air supply control knob should to test the trailer brakes.
go into the ________ position.
The trailer hand valve (also known as a trolley
emergency valve or Johnson bar) controls only the trailer
To test the tractor protection valve, shut the brakes, not the tractor brakes. You can use it to
engine off and step on and off the brake pedal test the trailer brakes. Don't use it while you're
several times to reduce the air pressure in the driving, though. If you apply it while you're
tanks. When the air pressure has fallen enough driving, you'll brake the trailers but not the
(typically into the range 20–45 psi), the trailer tractor, which can cause a skid. Instead, use the
air supply control knob should pop out, or the foot brake, which sends air to the tractor brakes
valve control should go from the “normal” to the as well as the trailer brakes.
“emergency” position.

The top 75 most common Combination Vehicles questions 2

16. At night, when a vehicle is carrying a load 20 . ou are coupling a semi-trailer to your
Y

that extends four feet or more beyond the tractor but have not yet backed under it. The
rear of the body, there must be _______ at trailer is at the right height if
the extreme end of the load. it will be raised slightly when the tractor is
red lights backed under it.
According to federal regulations, if the load B efore backing the tractor under the trailer,
projects more than 4 feet behind the rear of the adjust the landing gear to position the trailer at
vehicle, the end of the load must be marked as the proper height. The trailer should be just low
follows: (1) with red flags, each 18 inches square, enough that it will be raised slightly by the
in the daytime; or (2) with two red lights at night. tractor when the tractor backs under it. If the
There are additional federal requirements on trailer is too low, the tractor may hit and
how to illuminate the rest of the load. US states damage the trailer nose; if it's too high, it may
may impose their own additional requirements not couple properly.
on the transportation of oversized loads. [49
CFR 393.11], [49 CFR 393.87] 21. When backing a tractor under a trailer, you
should expect that
17. How should you test the tractor- the trailer will be lifted slightly when the
semitrailer connection for security? tractor backs under it.
Pull gently forward in low gear against the B efore backing the tractor under the trailer,
locked trailer brakes; then look at it carefully. adjust the landing gear to position the trailer at
After you've backed under the trailer and the proper height. The trailer should be just low
locked the kingpin into the fifth wheel, raise the enough that it will be raised slightly by the
landing gear slightly. Then with the trailer tractor when the tractor backs under it. If the
brakes still locked, gently pull the tractor trailer is too low, the tractor may hit and
forward to check that the trailer is locked onto damage the trailer nose; if it's too high, it may
the tractor. not couple properly.

18. The tractor protection valve will close 22 . After you supply air to the trailer, make
and the trailer _______ brakes will come on sure the air lines are not crossed and the
when there is a major leak in the brake line. trailer brakes are working. This is done by
emergency applying and releasing the trailer brakes and
listening for brake sounds.
The tractor protection valve keeps air in the
tractor if the trailer breaks away or develops a After you've connected the air lines, double -

bad leak. If air pressure drops too low in the check the connection and make sure the
service line, the tractor protection valve will brakes are working. Shut o the engine so you
ff

close. This stops air from escaping from the can hear the brakes. Apply the brakes and
tractor and lets air out of the trailer emergency listen for the sound of the brakes being applied.
line, causing the trailer emergency brakes to Release the brakes and listen for the hiss of
come on. escaping air.

19. When backing a tractor under a trailer, you 23 . ou should not back a tractor under a
Y

should trailer until the whole air system is

always use the lowest reverse gear. at normal pressure.
W hen coupling, use the lowest reverse gear B efore backing under a trailer while coupling,
and back slowly to avoid hitting or damaging make sure that the air pressure is at normal
the kingpin. levels to ensure you'll be able to brake safely.

The top 75 most common Combination Vehicles questions 3

24. What is the "crack-the-whip" effect? 28. When connecting the glad hands, press
When you make a quick lane change or the two seals together with the couplers at
sudden movement of your steering wheel, the what angle to each other?
rear trailer tends to swing out. The force of 90 degrees
the rear trailer becomes amplified, causing it
to roll over. When connecting the glad hands, press the two
seals together with the couplers at a 90-degree
A sudden maneuver by the tractor may cause angle to each other. A turn of the glad hand
the rearmost (last) trailer to swing violently and attached to the hose will join and lock the
possibly roll over. This is known as the crack- couplers.
the-whip effect. It is caused by rearward
amplification: The farther a trailer is from the 29. You should use chocks when parking a
tractor, the more likely it is to start swinging
trailer without spring brakes because
dangerously out of control.
if the air supply leaks away, there will be no
25. Where should the tractor be when you brakes.
inspect the landing gear after uncoupling If the trailer lacks spring brakes, make sure you
the trailer? chock the wheels whenever you park. If air
pressure leaks away, the trailer's brakes will fail.
With the tractor frame under the trailer.
Without chocks, the trailer could roll away.
After you've unlocked the fifth wheel, pull the
tractor forward until the fifth wheel is out from 30 . You should not use the trailer hand brake
under the trailer but the tractor frame is still to straighten out a jackknifing trailer,
under the trailer. This will prevent the trailer
because
from falling onto the ground should the landing
gear fail to support the trailer. the brakes on the trailer wheels caused the
skid in the first place.
26. Which type of truck-trailer combination The trailer hand valve (also known as a trolley
has the greatest chance of a "crack-the- valve or Johnson bar) controls only the trailer
whip" rollover? brakes, not the tractor brakes. If you're already
jackknifing because the trailer wheels locked
A tractor pulling three trailers.
up, applying the trailer brakes with the hand
The last trailer of a triple is 3.5 times more likely valve can make it even worse. Instead, stop
to roll over than a five-axle tractor. This is braking. The rear wheels will start to roll again
known as the crack-the-whip effect. When and you can steer to correct the skid.
pulling a triple, increase your following distance,
avoid sudden moves, and steer gently. At night, 31. You cross the air lines when hooking up
don't drive faster than your headlight range. to an old trailer. What will happen?
If the trailer has no spring brakes, you will be
27. When you drive a set of doubles, which
able to drive away but you won't have trailer
shut-off valve must be closed in the last
brakes.
trailer?
Trailers built before 1975 are not required to
Back.
have spring brakes. If you cross the air lines
The shut-off valve should be closed only at the when coupling such a trailer, you may have no
rear of the last trailer so that air will flow to the air pressure to supply the trailer brakes. You'll
brakes of all trailers but no farther. be able to drive, but you won't be able to brake
the trailer. Always test the trailer air brakes
before you start to drive.

T h e to p 7 5 m o s t c o m m o n C o m b i n at i o n V e h i c l e s q u e s t i o n s 4
32. The best way to tell if your trailer has 37. To unlock the fifth wheel, pull the release
started to skid is to handle to the _________ position.
see it in your mirrors. open
The earliest way to notice that your trailer is When uncoupling, unlock the fifth wheel by
jackknifing is to see it swinging out in your raising the release handle lock and pulling the
mirrors. release handle to the open position. When you
do this, keep your legs and feet well clear of the
33. More than half of all truck driver deaths tractor's rear wheels in case the vehicle moves.
are the result of
rollovers. 38. Which part of the kingpin should the
locking jaws close around?
More than half of truck driver deaths in crashes
are the result of truck rollovers. A full load The shank.
increases the weight on the truck, making a Don't drive the vehicle until you're sure that the
jackknife less likely. But a full load also raises coupling is correct. Check to make sure of the
the truck's center of gravity, making a rollover following: There is no space between the upper
more likely. Furthermore, many of America's and lower fifth wheel, the fifth wheel jaws have
expressways are old, with curved exit ramps closed around the shank of the kingpin, the
that don't have the banking needed for today's locking lever is in the "lock" position, and the
combination vehicles. safety latch is in position over the locking lever.
If anything isn't right, don't drive the vehicle
34. What is a tractor jackknife? until you've found and corrected the problem. If
When you lock up the drive tires on the you drive it anyway, your trailer could come
tractor and the tractor spins out sideways as loose while you're driving.
the trailer continues to push forward.
39. The kingpin is locked into the fifth wheel,
A jackknife is usually the result of a drive-wheel the front trailer supports are up, and the
skid. The tractor's rear drive wheels lock, and
trailer is resting on the fifth wheel. Make
the trailer starts to push the tractor sideways.
sure that
35. When should you use chocks to park a there is enough clearance between the
trailer not equipped with spring brakes? tractor frame and the landing gear to
accommodate sharp turns.
Always.
After you've coupled the trailer and fully raised
If there is a leak in the emergency air line, air the landing gear, check that there is enough
will eventually leak out of the trailer air tank. If clearance between the rear of the tractor frame
the trailer has air brakes but not spring brakes, and the landing gear so they won't make
the brakes will fail. Use chocks to prevent the contact even on sharp turns.
trailer from rolling if its brakes fail.
40. When coupling, the proper position of
36. For coupling to be completed, the safety
the fifth wheel is
latch for the fifth wheel locking lever must
be tilted down toward the end of the tractor.
over the locking lever. Before coupling, make sure that the fifth wheel
is in the proper position. For one thing, it should
The safety latch should be in position over the be tilted down toward the rear of the tractor.
fifth wheel locking lever. On some vehicles, you
may have to position it manually.

The top 75 most common Combination Vehicles questions 5

41. After you lock the kingpin into the fifth 45. You have a major leak in the service line,
wheel, you should check the connection by and you apply the brakes. Service air
pulling pressure will escape and cause the
the tractor ahead gently with the trailer brakes trailer emergency brakes to come on.
locked. If air pressure in the emergency air line drops
After you've backed under the trailer and too low (say because of a bad leak in the
locked the kingpin into the fifth wheel, raise the service line), the trailer emergency brakes will
landing gear slightly. Then with the trailer come on. Also, the tractor protection valve will
brakes still locked, gently pull the tractor close to keep air from escaping from the tractor.
forward to check that the trailer is locked onto
the tractor. 46. While you are driving, your emergency
air line breaks or gets pulled apart. The loss
42. The service line of pressure will cause the
carries air to a relay valve that allows the trailer emergency brakes to come on.
trailer brakes to be applied quickly.
With the loss of air pressure, the tractor
The service line (also called the control line or protection valve will close and the trailer
signal line) carries air, which is controlled by the emergency brakes will come on.
foot brake or the trailer hand brake. The service
line is connected to relay valves that allow the 47. After connecting the air lines but before
trailer brakes to be applied more quickly. The backing under the trailer, you should
relay valves send air to the brake chambers in
response to the air pressure in the service line. supply air to the trailer system and then pull
out the air supply knob.
43. Why should you make sure that the fifth First, make sure that the trailer brakes are
wheel plate is greased as required? working properly. Before backing under the
To prevent steering problems. trailer, set the trailer air supply control to lock
the trailer brakes. You do this by pulling out the
There shouldn't be any space between the red air supply knob (on newer vehicles) or
upper and lower fifth wheel. However, friction moving the tractor protection valve control to
could cause steering problems. To reduce the emergency setting.
friction, make sure that the fifth wheel plate is
well lubricated as required. 48. What is the safest way for you to make a
turn without entering another traffic lane?
44. What is the emergency air line for?
You should turn wide as you complete the
To engage the trailer brakes in case of air turn.
pressure loss.
To turn right, you must turn wide to help prevent
The emergency air line has two main functions: the rear end from overrunning the curb.
(1) It supplies air to the trailer air tanks to keep However, if you start the right turn by swinging
the trailer brake system charged. (2) It controls wide to the left, another driver may try to pass
the vehicle's emergency brakes. If air pressure you on your right while you are turning, which
in the emergency air line drops too low (say can lead to a collision. Instead, start the right
because of a bad leak or damage due to the turn with the rear of your vehicle as close to the
trailer breaking loose), the trailer emergency curb as possible and then turn wide as you
brakes will come on. Also, the tractor protection complete the turn. This will deny drivers room
valve will close to keep air from escaping from on the right to try to pass you.
the tractor.

The top 75 most common Combination Vehicles questions 6

49. If you do not do the final air brake check 53. When you get ready to back under the
for air leaks and fix them before driving, semi-trailer, you should line up

you could lose your brakes while driving. directly in front of the trailer.

On a combination vehicle, the brakes on the When you're ready to couple, position your

tractor and all trailers must work properly. If tractor right in front of the trailer. If you were to

your combination vehicle is equipped with air back into the trailer at an angle, you might push

brakes, check that air flows to all trailers and it sideways and break the landing gear.

test both the trailer service brakes and the

trailer emergency brakes. 54. In general, the higher your truck s center '
of gravity, the
50. What is the emergency air line?
easier it is to turn over.

Air lines that control the emergency brakes on

When you stack cargo high in a trailer, you raise
combination vehicles.
its center of gravity, which makes the trailer

The emergency air line is often colored red. It more prone to rolling over. A fully loaded

supplies air to the trailer air tanks and controls -

tractor trailer is ten times more likely to roll over

the trailer's emergency brakes. in a crash than an empty one.

51. You are uncoupling a trailer. After you j

55. A trailer is most likely to ackknife when

shut off the trailer air supply and lock the it is

trailer brakes, you should

empty.

back up gently to ease pressure on the fifth

The weight of a full load adds traction. An
wheel locking jaws.
empty or lightly loaded trailer is more likely to

When uncoupling, ease pressure on the fifth jackknife than a fully loaded one.

wheel locking jaws by backing up gently. (This

will help you release the fifth wheel locking 56. A tractor with a(n) _________ trailer
lever.) Then apply the parking brakes while the requires the shortest amount of stopping
tractor is pushing against the kingpin.
distance.

fully loaded
52. You should not use the trailer hand valve

while driving because The weight of cargo helps the wheels get

traction. When a combination vehicle is empty

of the danger of making the trailer skid.
or lightly loaded, its braking distance increases.

The trailer hand valve (also known as a trolley The very sti ff suspension springs and strong
valve or Johnson bar) controls only the trailer brakes give poor traction and make it very easy

brakes, not the tractor brakes. If you apply it to lock the wheels.

while you're driving, you'll brake the trailers but

not the tractor. This can cause a skid or even a 7

5 . If you have coupled with a semi trailer, -
jackknife. Instead, use the foot brake, which
where should you put the front trailer
sends air to the tractor brakes as well as the
supports before driving away?
trailer brakes.
Fully raised with the crank handle secured in
its bracket.

Once you've coupled, raise the landing gear all

the way up. If it were only partially raised, it

could catch on something, such as the railroad

tracks on a raised railroad crossing.

The top 75 most common Combination Vehicles questions 7

58. Here are two things that a driver can do 61. When you are uncoupling a loaded

to prevent a rollover: Keep the cargo as trailer, lower the landing gear until it

close to the ground as possible, and makes firm contact with the ground.

go slowly around turns.

When uncoupling a loaded trailer, lower the

Because of rearward amplification, a trailer is landing gear until it makes firm contact with the

more likely to roll over than a tractor. And if ground. Then crank the landing gear in low

you're pulling doubles or triples, the rearmost gear for a few more turns – just enough to lift
(last) trailer is even more likely to roll over. To some weight o ff the tractor, but not so much
reduce the risk of trailer rollover, steer gently that you lift the trailer off the fifth wheel. This

and smoothly, especially if you're pulling a will make it easier to unlatch the fifth wheel now

double or triple. Slow down before entering a x

and couple ne t time.

curve or turn.

62. Compared with a straight truck or bus,

59. How long does it take a typical tractor there are _________ things to inspect in

trailer to clear a single railroad track? A combination vehicles.

double track? more

It takes 14 seconds to clear a single track and

There are more things to inspect on a
more than 15 seconds to clear a double track.
combination vehicle than on a bus or straight

Railroad crossings with steep approaches can truck. First, of course, there is the entire
cause your unit to hang up on the tracks. Never coupling system: the kingpin, the fifth wheel,

permit traffic conditions to trap you in a position etc. Next, there is the landing gear of each

where you have to stop on the tracks. Be sure trailer. Finally, the air brake system is also more

you can get all the way across the tracks before complicated than on a bus or straight truck,

you start across. It takes a typical tractor-trailer because compressed air must flow to all trailers
unit at least 14 seconds to clear a single track so that both the tractor brakes and trailer

and more than 15 seconds to clear a double brakes will work properly.

track. Do not shift gears while crossing railroad

tracks. 6 3. When should you use the hand valve to

park a combination vehicle?

60. If your vehicle is equipped with dummy

Never.
couplers, why should you connect the glad
The trailer hand valve (also known as a trolley
hands to them?
valve orJohnson bar) controls only the trailer
brakes, not the tractor brakes. You can use it to
It will keep dirt and water out of the lines.

test the trailer brakes. But don't use it as a

Some vehicles are equipped with "dead-end" or
parking brake, especially if the trailer lacks
dummy couplers. When the air lines are not
spring brakes. If a leak causes loss of air
connected to a trailer, connect the glad hands
pressure, the trailer brakes will fail. Don't use
to the dummy couplers to keep water and dirt
the trailer hand valve while you're driving either.
out of the glad hands and air lines. If your
Braking the trailer and not the tractor can cause
vehicle doesn't have dummy couplers, you may
the trailer to skid.
be able to connect the glad hands to each

other.

The top 75 most common Combination Vehicles questions 8

64. How much space should there be 68. Air and electrical lines from the tractor to
between the upper and lower fifth wheel the trailer should be
after coupling? secured but with enough slack for turns.

None.
During your walk-around inspection, make sure

If there is space between the lower and upper that the electrical and air lines are secure but

fifth wheel after you have finished coupling, have enough slack to stay attached and secure

something is wrong. Perhaps the kingpin is on even when the vehicle is turning.

top of the closed fifth-wheel jaws, which could

result in the trailer coming loose. Don't start to 69. Glad hands are used to connect the
drive until you have identified and fixed the
service and emergency air lines from the
problem.
truck or tractor to the trailer.

Each glad hand has a rubber seal to prevent air

65. When coupling a tractor-semitrailer, to
from escaping. To connect the glad hands, first
test the trailer air brakes, you should place
clean the seals. Then press the two seals
the tractor protection valve control in what
together with the glad hands at a 90-degree
position?
angle to each other.
Normal.
70. While you check if the rear trailer is
To test the trailer air brake system, first charge it
with air. Push in the red trailer air supply knob, securely coupled to the front trailer, the

or place the tractor protection valve control in landing gear should be

the "normal" position. Wait until the air pressure slightly raised.
reaches normal before you start your tests.
After you've backed under the trailer and
locked the kingpin into the fifth wheel, raise the
66. While you are driving a combination
landing gear slightly. Then with the trailer
vehicle, if the service line comes apart but
brakes still locked, gently pull the tractor
the emergency line stays together, what will
forward to check that the trailer is locked onto
happen right away? the tractor.

Nothing is likely to happen until you try to

apply the brakes. 71. Trucks roll over more easily when fully
loaded and are
If a leak has developed in the service line, air
tank pressure may remain close to normal – ten times more likely to roll over in a crash
until you try to brake. Then the air loss from the than empty rigs.
leak will cause the air pressure to drop quickly.
When you stack cargo high in a trailer, you raise
If the air pressure drops far enough, the
its center of gravity, which makes the trailer
emergency brakes will come on.
more prone to rolling over. A fully loaded
tractor-trailer is ten times more likely to roll over
67. Before you back under a trailer, make
in a crash than an empty one.
sure that

the trailer brakes are locked. 72. To stop a trailer skid, you should

During coupling, before backing under the release the brakes.

trailer, set the trailer air supply control to shut

Once you realize your vehicle is in a skid, you
off the air and lock the trailer brakes. On newer
should release the brakes so that the wheels
vehicles, this control is an eight-sided red knob.
can grip the road again. The trailer will start to
You pull it out to shut off the air.
follow the tractor and straighten out.

T he top 7 5 most common Comb inat ion Ve hicle s que st ions 9

73. The fifth wheel locking lever is not
locked after the jaws close around the
kingpin. This means that
the coupling is not right and should be fixed
before you drive the coupled unit.
Don't drive the vehicle until you're sure that the
coupling is correct. Check to make sure of the
following: There is no space between the upper
and lower fifth wheel, the fifth wheel jaws have
closed around the shank of the kingpin, the
locking lever is in the "lock" position, and the
safety latch is in position over the locking lever.
If anything isn't right, don't drive the vehicle
until you've found and corrected the problem. If
you drive it anyway, your trailer could come
loose while you're driving.

74. You are driving a combination vehicle

when the trailer breaks away, pulling apart
both air lines. You would expect the trailer
brakes to come on and
the tractor protection valve to close.
The tractor protection valve keeps air in the
tractor if the trailer breaks away or develops a
bad leak. If air pressure drops too low in the
service line, the tractor protection valve will
close. This stops air from escaping from the
tractor and lets air out of the trailer emergency
line, causing the trailer emergency brakes to
come on.

75. The kingpin is locked into the fifth wheel,

the front trailer supports are up, and the
trailer is resting on the fifth wheel. Make
sure that
there is enough clearance between the
tractor frame and the landing gear to
accommodate sharp turns.
After you've coupled the trailer and fully raised
the landing gear, check that there is enough
clearance between the rear of the tractor frame
and the landing gear so they won't make
contact even on sharp turns.

The top 75 most common Combination Vehicles questions 10