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Understanding the 'Dump Valve' for Spread Axles

3:30
53:00
311.3K views

At 3:30 in

Ole School Trucker: Darrell Andrews Ride Along - Vietnam NASCAR & Open Road

What happens here

Darrell explains the use of a 'dump valve' in trucking, specifically for trailers with spread axles. This valve releases air from the trailer's suspension, raising the wheels and allowing for tighter turns without scrubbing the tires. He notes that while spread axles allow for heavier loads (up to 40,000 pounds), drivers must know how to properly dump the air to avoid excessive tire wear or damage to the tractor's axles. He contrasts this with less experienced drivers who might not use the dump valve correctly or who have trucks not set up to accommodate it, leading to issues.

Goal: Explain the function and proper use of a 'dump valve' in trucking.

Tools and materials

  • Truck with Spread Axle Trailer Kenworth — Illustrating the function of the dump valve on a spread-axle trailer

What they say

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like the new trucks have got and just added all of that stuff cuz nobody ever rides with me. So, this still the original seat? Yeah. Okay. What year did you say this was? An '80? Yeah. I changed all the switches. I like the toggle better than I do the the switches. I put tilt steering in it. I want that on the back axle when I turn. That make it easier? It'll make it easier to turn. Oh, ain't but it's easier on the trailer. Uh-huh. You dump the air on that? Well, some guys use front axle, some use the back. I use the back. That's the way the trailer turns sharper. If you don't dump the air, it slides the tires so bad. It's just a lot easier on the dump the air on lower axle than pivot on one or the other. And that's why I put it on the front. You don't see spread axle trailers with large spreads because you got to know how to dump your air and use a spread. Spreads are great if you know how to use one. But the problem with when they first come out, a lot of the carriers went with spreads because they'll have 40,000 lb back there and they'll have They wouldn't dump the air or the truck the tractors weren't set up to accommodate dumping the air and it twist the axles out from underneath. They went back to what's called closed tandems. Anytime you rev that engine up and gear down, you're you're you're wasting the fuel. You know you're going to turn, so slow down before you get there. Don't don't try to come in flying.

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