Question:
Part of being a professional driver is recognizing a mechanical deficiency and understanding the mechanical aspects of tractor trailers. This knowledge is specially beneficial if you're considering to venture into becoming an owner operator. Two books I recommend you include on your personal library are both textbooks that truck mechanics use on their formal training when going into a technical trade school. One is "Heavy Duty Truck Systems," which explains the electrical, airbrake system, tranny, differential, and everything outside of the engine system. This book is 1,248 pages thick and its ISBN #1401870643. Another book which concentrates on explaining the engine system only is "Diesel Mechanics," which is 512 pages thick and its ISBN #0028034627. Both can be ordered online through Amazon.com, or just type "new and used textbooks" on any search engine to see a listing of websites specializing on new and used textbooks.

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+1Diary of a Swift Driver

Answer:
You've just hooked up to a trailer, do your pre-op inspection, then head out on your trip. You look in your mirrors and notice the trailer looks crooked and pulling to one side. This is caused by the trailer's tandem axle getting knocked out of alignment. Its caused when a driver goes over a speed bump or pot hole too fast; or climbing up or coming down from a curb too fast. Because the trailer is partly pulling to one side, theres a likelihood that if you need to brake hard, or lock up the brakes in an emergency, it will jack knife towards whichever way it is pulling. A trailer mechanic can correct this deficiency in 15 minutes or less. Today, laser lights are used to re-align the tandem axle. Before this technique became available, mechanics simply used a tape measure to check the gap distance between the front tandem wheels and the rear wheels on both, the left and right side. This gap must measure evenly on both sides. So any shop can fix this problem even if they say they don't have the laser equipment. Just reply "why can't you do it with a tape measure like they did in the old days?" Laser alignments are normally performed when the trailer is empty. If the trailer is loaded with cargo, the laser's accuracy may be slightly affected.

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We all know the technology exists to correct this problem..
The trick is to get the company to spend the $$ to do the repairs.. Most companies will not repair anything not safety related.. Just bacause it is "dog legging" to 1 side or the other is not nessessarily "bad" to them..
Jackknifing.. todays ABS has greatly reduced this.. though it still happens occasionaly..
You should mention it is more often noticed that the 5th wheel is DRY... This will effect allignment too.. HOW MANY company trucks have you noticed going down the road w/ DRY 5th wheels?? A dry 5th wheel will make a trailer off track like it was out of allignment too..
Those books are okay for some.. but today everyone wants to be a steering wheel holder rather than a driver.. How many drivers today will wrench on their company truck?? Heck It's tough to get 1 to change a headlight.. Or... replace a mud flap.. comme on... get real... they might actually have to get dirty..
Drivers today don't work on trucks.. (Got a good laugh outa that .. haven't had a good joke today!)
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Over the years, we have had our fair share of ""Truck Driver Master Mechanics"" driving for us.
They don't work here anymore.
They must be practicing their "Master Mechanic Skills" on another companies Truck.

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I drive a company truck. I dont touch it as far as maintenance and repairs go. Its not my job to fix it. I dont get paid to fix it.
I do my pre and post trip inspections and report any defects. I either refuse to drive it until its fixed or I decide its something that can wait until scheduled maintenance to fix.
Just because someone doesnt fix their truck doesnt mean they are just a "steering wheel holder", all it means is they dont feel its their job. The company employs people for the purpose of repairing and maintaining their trucks, and they employ people for the purpose of driving their trucks. If I wanted to be a mechanic, thats what I would be. That doesnt make me a "steering wheel holder" and it says mothing about my ability to work on the truck or my knowledge of the truck.

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Well said Ray.
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Passingtrucker is an idiot, posing as someone who knows something about the trucking industry.
I suggest discarding everything he says. His ignorance is astonishing, and most of his advice is just plain dangerous.
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