Every Day we read Brake Fail. What i remember of Truck Brakes back in the World was they wouldnt let you move till the Air Tanks filled up,and the Brakes came on whenever it dropped pressure. Why the big prob here.?. Any Ex Trucker Guys got the answer.?.

there are a multitude of reasons for brake fail:

1. over heating, drum brakes are particularly prone to this. descent a declining road, keep your foot on the brake at all times and within minutes your brakes will fail.

2. air pressure or vacuum over hydraulic brake systems, old brake fluid: brake fluid is hygroscopic, it absorbs moisture. when the temperature of your braking system exceeds boiling point of water (at sea level that is 100 degs C), this water will turn into steam and create as compressible vapor inside the vehicles brake lines - your brakes will fail.

3. metal fatigue: frequent heating and rapid cooling of your vehicle's braking system components lead to cracks and brittleness. you might have encountered split brake drums on the road, these things just 'crack' apart under pressure once their integrity becomes compromised - your brakes will fail.

4. air pressure brake systems (maxi - brakes): rely on spring pressure to engage brakes once air pressure fails. -see metal fatigue. your brakes will fail.

there are probably more.

cheers

Or when the brakes lock up resulting in loss of control.

That has to be the most common form a brake failure...

A lot of trucks in Thailand still use air over hydraulic brakes. These are not spring applied with low air pressure so the driver can find a problem with the air system the hard way.

For those with full air brakes, another classic failure mode is linings, drums S or Wedge cams and slack adjusters wearing to the point they can no longer compensate. Brake torque drops off but the truck is still be used until a quick stop is needed and a collision results.

Drivers blaming brake failure can also mean they were going to fast and did not have enough time and space to stop.

1. Just an excuse many times.

2. Poor to no preventive maintenance....just drive until something fails like the brakes.

1. Just an excuse many times.

2. Poor to no preventive maintenance....just drive until something fails like the brakes.

Like this?

See truck in mirror on highway - either go much faster until it disappears, or give it lots of room and get out of its way.

When approaching left-hand corner on undivided road - stay well left and watch for truck on wrong side.

When approaching right-hand corner on undivided road - stay well left and watch for truck on wrong side.

Extreme defensive driving is the only common sense approach to take on the highways over here - its the wild west with lots of cowboys and no sheriffs.

It is a euphemism for brain failure

Had a Class One license since 1974. Bigest problem I have seen on tractor trailers here in LOS is the lack of a Jake Brake. Go down any steep hill and you travel over washboard road caused by trucks applying the brakes, which reduces wheel speed, and causes the hot asphalt to be pushed forward in front of the tire, making a little bump. Repeat. The large trucking outfits I have encountered in 15 years driving here are professional, courteous, and considerate. At least you know what they will do. Look at the condition of the rig, and you can pretty much tell what shape the truck is in. If they will not fix the little things, no hope for them having any sort of preventive maintenance schedule. But it all comes down to how you drive. And if your actions are not enough, bad luck. Stuff Happens.

Freewheeling downhill,to save fuel, instead of using the gears

must play a big part in all these accidents .the same as not using

turn indicators until last minute or not at all,to save the battery !

regards Worgeordie

Think you refer to other than Employed Drivers Can't see the point ofTesco Delivery or PTT tankers worrying bout Kpl or saving anything they don't pay for.Tuna and Everest drivers perhaps.[emoji598][emoji3]

Like this?

No, not like that. That is not a truck brake.