Safety is one of the top priorities for any driver in the trucking business. You must be wary of the size of your vehicle, its weight and the high momentum it generates even when moving at low speeds. The reason you should prioritise this is that your licensing and certification relies heavily on your competence. If you just started out in the industry, preventing hazardous situations will be an added advantage. In this piece, you will learn a few tips on preventing jackknifing. Jackknifing occurs when the trailer slides out of controls and skids around towards the towing vehicle. Read on to learn more about what you should do.
Start with the Trailer's Weight
The load you are towing has a critical part in the stability of the truck. Loading your vehicle heavily and distributing the load evenly enhances stability and keeps the trailer from jackknifing. In most cases, the risk of jackknifing increases when you tow light loads. They do not pin your wheels firmly on the ground, and as the trailer can easily slide to the side as it bounces to the ground. Light loads, especially those that do not allow you to use tie-downs, are also at a high risk of moving around in the trailer. This increases instability and potential jackknifing.
Planned and Intelligent Braking
Braking also comes in handy when you want to avoid jackknifing. The secret here is to keep a keen eye on the road so that you can anticipate every situation that requires you to slow down or stop. By doing this, you can space your braking over a long distance while applying the brakes gradually. Doing this not only prevents jackknifing but also ensures durability for your brakes.
Proper Maintenance
Drivers often have a close connection with their vehicles. Particularly, truck drivers spend lots of time with their vehicle on long-distance deliveries, making them understand their vehicles better. You will know when your brakes need a thorough check or fix. Make sure you do this in time whenever you feel something is wrong about them. Uneven brakes, faulty suspension and worn tyres are a common cause of jackknifing.
Understand Your Truck's Console
The driving console comes with many features, and it helps to understand what each one of them does. For example, you should always beware of using retarders and engine brakes for trucks with such features. When driving on a slippery surface, this feature will lock up your drive axle, causing the truck to jackknife.
To learn more information you'll need to get a truck licence, contact a truck driver.
