Here I am

Fighting to get out of park

Attention: TDR Forum Junkies
To the point: Click this link and check out the Front Page News story(ies) where we are tracking the introduction of the 2025 Ram HD trucks.

Thanks, TDR Staff

$31,000???

Hellwig Big wig rear sway bar

Status
Not open for further replies.
I also shift into gear on my 07 C&C truck after shutting it down, BUT that practice is discouraged when driving Big Rigs.

RVTRKN, good point about the Big Rigs. I think the practice is discouraged in Big Rigs because the park brake system is much different than in our trucks. I like to have the transmission in gear and the park brake set in my truck because it will be the least likely chance for the truck to roll while unattended. The park brake is a good system, but if any part of the system fails after the park brake is set- the whole system fails. Having the transmission in a gear is good insurance.

On the Big Rigs with air brake systems, since around 1975 at least one driving axle or more on a tractor and at least one axle or more on a trailer must be equipped with spring park brakes. The chosen axle (or axles) will each have two spring park brakes (one at each foundation brake). This makes for a reliable and safe park (and emergency) brake system. Air pressure is supplied to each spring park brake to release it. Air pressure is exhausted from each spring park brake to set it. If any part of the system fails after the park brake is set, the worst case scenario is that only one spring park brake may not work. Consequently, some commercial carriers feel that is safer to have the transmission left in neutral when parking. If a clutch safety interlock failed during engine startup, it would be possible to start the engine while in gear. The considerable combined torque of the engine and a very low gear ratio could cause the truck to drive through the park brake. Also, some Big Rigs use automatic transmission. There is only a neutral position selection available and there is no parking pawl. So, for a commercial carrier it is easier to give the same instructions to the drivers no matter which truck is being driven.

As we all know, there are many preferred ways of doing things and they are usually done with sound reasoning.

- John
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top