Best video out there explaining the tractor protection control valve. Having had my CDL before 20 years ago, had me wondering if another valve was added! Lol. It’s only calling one device two names. Anything to trick you on the exam I guess.
I gotta say that i have been watching a lot of videos and have often been confused about things but when i come to one of your vids it all just starts to make since. Thank You.....
Thank you for explaining this thoroughly. Studying for my permit before I go to school and I keep getting these questions wrong. You helped a lot, I'm a visual learner in most cases.
Hi Micaela Skyy - Thank you for your comment. And you are most welcome. We're happy to hear we could help out. If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick
I'm studying for my CDL and I ace all the practice tests, but I have no clue how to do any of it. This is extremely helpful for learning and not just memorizing the answers.
Hi Scott Moran - And you are most welcome. We're happy to hear we could help out. If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick
Have a look at this video too my friend: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-dMxilatT0qw.html Drop us a note if we can help further. Cheers Rick
This video was made 7yrs ago, and everything STILL applies for my exam(s) & skills test, in 2024. I appreciate this man. I’ve been through a few videos as a means for a better understanding and THIS MAN IS THE ABSOLUTE BEST at visuals & immensely thorough explanations. BIG THANK YOU, sir!!!!!!!!!!❤
I have to thank you for your videos I'm a 30 year driver, 20 year law enforcement and now UDOT inspector and I always tell companies and drivers about you and the great work you do. Thanks brother
The air lines seem to be too long from the spring support to the trailer. This will allow the air lines to ‘rub’ on the working platform surface and possible snag and/or rub a hole through the line. Having said that - you are one of the better instructional videos on RU-vid and I will continue to advise my trainees to watch durning their off time. Cheers!
Thanks for making this video. It’s one thing to pass a written exam because you memorized the words and promoted answer and it’s another thing to understand what the question is actually talking about. Your in depth explanation and visuals are greatly appreciated.
Glad it was helpful! Yes, many do not understand how air brake systems work. I found that out recently when a veteran driver thought the parking brakes were held on by air pressure. All the very best, Cheers Rick
Hi Les Sims - Thank you for your comment. And you are most welcome. We're happy to hear we could help out. If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick
Very well explained step by step, I actually didn't know to apply foot brake to see if any air is going to the line, this step was not shown to me in my training, just recently read it about the upcoming blitz week so it's good to actually physically check that final step. Thx
Thanks for the video, it really helped me explain to the mechanic that the TRAILER protection valve in my 2016 International tractor; is not working until the psi is at "0". My buddy was inspected in Oregon and received a citation for this issue on a 2020 Freightliner
This clarified my last doubt about the air systems. I have a tendency too overcomplicating things. Since technically I wouldn't have access to the tractor protection valve, doing a leak test otherwise would be too difficult. This will help me ace the pre-trip test.
We all tend to make topics too complicated my friend. Happy to hear we could help out with your air brakes. Drop us a note if we can help further. All the best, Cheers Rick
Yes and this is a great informative reminder & video of a proper check on TPS for semi trailer air brake checks. A lot of drivers forget to do a proper check over time . This is a mistake and shows complacency as well in that driver . Great info here sir thanks.
Thank you 🙏🏾 so much best Truck Instructor on RU-vid! I’ll be going for my DOT physical and screening soon and then my Permit test trying to get all the knowledge I can also my company is paying for my CDL so want to get it right the first time Thanks for your help and sharing your knowledge with us!
Hi 46 Gang - And you are most welcome. We're happy to hear we could help out. If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick
hi rick,here is a recap of the whole problem.on the tractor protective valve,there is small black air line that goes from the tpv to the firewall and then to the stop light switch on both tractor and trailer.the stop light swich was bad and it wasnt sensing the pressure on the trailer.behind the stop light switch there are wires that controls the trailer breaks and the tractor breaks.to make my experience short,i fixed that problem with only 38 dollars for the stop light switch and 150 for volvo dealer to diagnose that problem.thanks
Hi Chad Lasher - Thank you for your comment. And you are most welcome. We're happy to hear the information helped out. If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick
In Ontario Canada, the tractor protection system is tested as one of the air brakes tests for the AZ license - but we are not taught to disconnect both glad hands, only the blue one. I am left wondering about the actual function of the service and supply lines and why the difference in testing.
Hi FourthMatrix - whether you take off just the service line or both lines isn't going to make much of a difference. You're simply checking that the tractor protection valve isn't leaking when the trailer air supply valve is closed. The blue control line controls the service brakes on the trailer. There is only air in the blue line when the brake pedal or the hand valve are activated. The red supply (emergency) has air in it all the time when the trailer air supply valve is open and puts air to the trailer. Drop us a note if we can help further my friend. All the best, Cheers Rick
Hi Kimberly Preston - you are most welcome my friend. Drop us a note if we can help further my friend. Good luck on your CDL test! Be sure to let us know how it goes. All the best, Cheers Rick
Hello I watched your video and i can tell it is very helpful for a lot of diy truck driver who likes to do their own things. I have Volvo truck and also have gauge that shows how much pressure i apply to the brakes. Lately it started to act weird i press the brake and truck is not braking and if i press little harder it goes right away to 20 psi and its braking a lot its like pulling me back when i hit the brake pedal. Do you know by any chance what can cause this issue ? btw when i use the hand service brake pressure is also not reacting and sometimes just works fine weird
I have my students take the electrical line off during that point in the pretrip just so it isn’t forgotten. While they’re there, they might as well check and mention the electrical as well as the hoses condition. Awesome video though Rick! You sure know you’re stuff brother.
I begin my course at sage cdl school in 2 weeks from today. Just wanted to say thank you. Also, do you do this check inspection every day? Or multiple times a day? I only just started reading my cdl permit book and have very limited knowledge. I am nervous and hoping this is the right career choice for me and hoping i am not getting in over my head
it depends where you are. In some places they don't get you to test the emergency brakes on a single unit. See this infograph: www.smartdrivetest.com/air-brakes-(image)/code-15-class-3-in-cab-air-brake-checks All the best, Cheers Rick
Thank you for sharing that information with us. I'm trying to get my CDL and I was a little confused about that question. I'm from Oklahoma and there is 20 question on combination vehicle in order to pass the test ..thanks a lot.
Hi Victor Mendoza - Thank you for your comment. And you are most welcome. We're happy to hear we could help out. If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick
Happy we could help my friend. See this video too: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-m5r3TsdQQQw.html Drop us a note if you have questions, or we can help out. All the best, Cheers Rick
I have a 2016 freightliner cascadia. My trailer brakes are not activating when the red knob is pulled out. So when trailer is disconnected from trucks it has no brakes holding it. Yet when my trailer is connected to truck and i push both yellow and red knob in and pull trailer brake handle it activates trailer brakes just fine. Its only when the red knob is out that i have no trailer brakes. What is causing this and how do i fix it. Ive taken it to two mechanics and still same problem. Also i know problem is within truck because ive hooked to 2 seperate trailers and same prob. Yet when a different tractor hooks to them everything works fine. Any help would be great
Hi Michael Jandro - So, the trailer air supply valve is not activating the parking brakes on the trailer when pulled out? That's what I'm gathering!? When you hook to a trailer, push in the trailer air supply valve. Fan the service brakes using the hand valve. Do the trailer parking brakes activate when the air pressure is between 20-45psi? In other words, do the trailer's emergency brakes apply? If they don't--both when you fan the brakes and when you shut off the trailer air supply valve--my suspicion is the tractor protection valve at the back of the tractor. All the best, Cheers Rick
I need clarity: did he say 'do not remove the electrical when disconnecting he glad hands?" If so, was the connection he removed in between the glad hands, in the video the electrical connection?
Hi Tyrone Love - Thank you for your comment. Yes, that's confusing. In the "B" roll, I disconnected the electrical, but in the main footage, I didn't. So NO, when you're testing the tractor protection system, you don't have to take off the electrical. If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick
@@smartdrivetest Thanks for the prompt reply! I'm studying for my CLP, so I'm a curious student with tons of questions. I really appreciate your YT page! As a visual learner, it has been a wonderful learning tool in my CDL quest!
Is it the remaining air pressure holding the brakes or the spring brakes? Where are the springs ? Are they inside the air bellows or brake chamber and press on the slack rod to extend it 90 deg.? Still a little confusing and could be easier if the reason for performing the tractor protection system is to see if the trailer is containing the remaining air or checking to see if the springs fully activate the brakes manually?
Hi Rafe Pittenger - Apologies for the late response. Thank you for your query. The reason for testing the tractor protection system is to see if the emergency brakes apply on the trailer when system pressure drops between 20 & 45psi. See this video for the explanation of service, parking and emergency brakes: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ZFi957GaxpU.html&list=PL0x-bChcUvwG2bSWReQWnk9Tm92L7WN_O If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick
Old trailers held air pressure to apply the brakes. They would lose air and lost brake pressure resulting in dropped trailers rolling down hills. New trailer systems apply brake pressure when you lose air by disconnecting from them. The springs are located on the inner side of each set of wheels. Haven't watched the recommended video, probably goes more into depth on this.
Hi thomas johnson - Apologies for the late response. Thank you for your comment and query. Here is the video you seek my friend: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-m4S8PSRAuF4.html If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick
When you’re testing the trailer protection valve and pumping the brakes to bring the psi between 20-45 psi, do you push in the parking brakes knob as well as the TPV? I’m assuming you can test both at the same time right?
Question the practice exam says I have to set my protection valve to either the normal position or the emergency position I’m very confused with the lingo and what they mean is the dash valves if not where is the location in the tractor trailer to where this tractor protection control valve is located
Yes, in other words, those two buttons are pushed in on the dash. And you pumped down until the Trailer Air Supply (Red) valve pops out. Al the best, Cheers Rick
Getting ready to start CDL school next week and still a little confused on the TPV. If the red octagon shaped Trailer Air Supply button has the dual purpose of protecting the tractor from air loss and also supply air to the trailer, does it act independently from the yellow diamond shaped Trailer Parking Brake button? If I understand it correctly the yellow Trailer Parking Brake button, when pulled out, evacuates the air from the trailer allowing the spring operated brakes on the trailer to clamp down and stop the trailer from moving. If the yellow button is pulled out but not the red button would the two systems be in conflict?
Hi bti2270 - Thank you for your comment and query my friend. You're misunderstanding the system. This video should help: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-m4S8PSRAuF4.html If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick
Hi Jeff Chapman - Thank you for your comment. This whole video is about checking the tractor protection valve. Are you checking it differently my friend? All the best, Cheers Rick
@@smartdrivetest I think the way you're doing it is fine. I think the tractor protection valve is so when you're bobtailing there isn't any air coming out your blue glad hand line when you apply the service brake. I'm just assuming that. But I think what you can do is release your parking brakes. And go out and pull your red glad hand line and just let all the air blow out until it cuts out. Because the air pressure left over in the tanks should be enough for a couple of brake applications. If you are towing than the spring brakes should be applied on the trailer if that red line pops free or something happens, and you should still have enough air pressure to use at least one or two brake applications for the tractor. Because a brake application will probably have more stopping power than the spring brakes. I'd probably use one brake application in this emergency situation and just stop. Hopefully the brakes don't heat up and fade. Because that might happen if you're going downhill with a heavy load.
Hi Jeff Chapman - You're either not explaining it correctly, or you don't understand the system al all my friend. I might ask you to consider the air brake course here: www.smartdrivetest.com/airbrakes-cdl-&-rv/pass-cdl-air-brakes-course All the best, Cheers Rick
Thanks for your kind words. You can. slow the video down in settings. And if you have any questions, drop us a note. Always happy to help out. Have a look here too: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-dMxilatT0qw.html All the best, Cheers Rick
Last two DoT inspections I had, in two different states, checked the tractor valve separately to make sure it was working on it's own without the rest of the system. After the leak down test. They had me build full air pressure with full air supply to the trailer, with drives chocked, disconnected air lines and recorded the pressure each knob popped out. They explained to me they were doing this to make sure the tractor valve is working independently on it's own without the system. This was the first times I've heard of this. Anybody have any input on this?
Hi eric whittington - Thank you for your comment. Just to clarify, after building full pressure, the DOT removed the emergency line (red) and then determined when the trailer supply valve popped on the dash? Did they remove the blue service line and get you to pump down on the service brakes, or just the red line? Or did they see when the trailer air supply valve popped and then the yellow parking control valve? All the best, Cheers Rick
the tructor is driving fine without the trailer and the break are releasing like they are supposed to buy once i hook up the trailer its a nightmare for me.i missed work for a whole week becouse of this problem
Hi Tejinder Sethi - Thank you for your comment. And you are most welcome. We're happy to hear we could help out. If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick
Hi Daniel Gresham - Thank you for your comment. And you are most welcome. We're happy to hear we could help out. If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick
i have a 2005 vnl 670 that is giving me problems with air brakes.when i press on the service break,my trailer breaks are not releasing.i tried to hook up to two diffrent trailers and i have the same problem.i took my truck to the mechanic and he don't know why its doing that and the only thing he suggested is to put in a new trailer protective valve behind the tractor where the air lines are hooked up.when i press on the service brakes when parked,the brake lights will stay on and stay for like 45 seconds then goes off and break releases at that point.when i press on the break and then unhook the service line from the the trailer there is air coming out
Hi Bernard: the tractor protection system is only two valves on the truck: 1) the trailer air supply valve on the dash; 2) and the tractor protection valve. The trailer air supply is just an on/off switch, so that only leaves the tractor protection valve. If you've hooked up to different trailers and the service brakes haven't release, that would be my guess. You're only going to know if you swap out the valve. All the the best, Cheers Rick
I thought that too, at first, because when I opened googled it and opened it on the browser, it opened me up to your final review (5:03). But then I watched the video from the beginning and it all made sense. It was kind of cool because the first time I was watching it like what the heck is going on, and then 5 minutes of learnin later, I watched the conclusion again and it made sense!
Hi Bernard Mwariri - thanks for letting me know what the problem was - that helps out a lot of other drivers. I would not have guessed that it would have been the stop light switch. Interesting indeed! How did you find out that it was the stop light switch? All the best, Cheers Rick
Bernard Mwariri ~ Air going through the blue line APPLIES the trailer brakes when you use the foot brake or hand brake. Air going through the RED line fills the trailer air tanks and RELEASES the parking brakes (spring brakes).
I have two Great Uncles who were raised in New Hampshire they talk like you do fast! Here in the South it takes us three times as long to say what you said!! In America always in every state you will have to test the tractor protection system...lol! Hard to say slow...
Hi Ladonna - I sped up my talking because I originally thought it was too slow for camera, and it was. I checked out some of the earlier videos and I'm doing 100 words per minute. Although, I went too far on the spectrum and am now upwards of 200 words per minute. The ideal is 150 words per minute, so I'll work to find that happy medium. No, I'm not normally a faster talker - either on camera or trying to pull one over - LOL 80) Thank you for your comment about the tractor protection system. All the best, Cheers Rick
Smart Drive Test nice, but my Uncle's are way faster, I'm southern and can't understand them! My hearing is slllloooowww...lol! I can understand you very well. But King lion can't👇
Thank you so much Ladonna - you're the absolute best. I made the video into a blog on my website: goo.gl/OlX5tr and referred him to that. That might help - some times people that are working to understand another language do better if they have a written version. I was wondering today, if I might have fleshed that topic out a little bit more? Anyway, all good. Stay well my friend - how the insomnia? All the best, Cheers Rick
Smart Drive Test the insomnia is the same lol! My brain won't let me alone...lol. But I am happy and that is all that matters. I will finally fall asleep at 5 am...it's just that way. You did all you could for the fast talking, if someone doesn't understand they can watch again! All the best to you and yours Rick!!!
Hi Valerii - thank you for the comment. We have heaps and heaps of snow here, but the temperature is supposed to warm up over the weekend so now there is the chance of flooding. All the best, Cheers Rick
Hi Steve Bijoga - Apologies for the late response. Thank you for your comment. And to help with the English, there are closed captions. If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick
This is just the valve system check DoT uses. Not exactly a brake check. In CDL class, the instructors teach you how to pass the CDL test in your state depending on what's on the state test made by state laws and local laws including local education laws. DoT checks according to federal law and level of inspection. Basic inspection would check basic brakes and springs making sure they work. Mid level test depends on state law and might test the full system including the 3 point system in the video and they might not. Full DoT inspection will test it according to federal law in the code of federal regulations. ... in class i learned this because I lived in Georgia where test laws are more stricter where I would be CDL road testing, compared to the testing in Tennessee where my class was with Tennessee law cdl tests. I had to study their test to pass the class and a full other page of test material to be able to pass the actual CDL exam in my state in GA. In NY state and another I can't recall. They added a fourth step while performing this test. It might have been local laws or new federal laws DoT is implementing. I posted a comment about this added step in the main thread waiting for input. This is where a lot of drivers get cdl points during the yearly DoT blitz. It's good to start with a good company that travels around and comes across these and let's them known to their drivers... a lot of local companies with mostly local runs come across this unexpectedly. They get lost in implementing local city run laws and become unaware when they get stopped by hwy patrol that enforces state law and then to the weigh station which is their week to enforce federal law on every truck. Or a a different weigh station that implements different federal laws at different times. Each weigh station has their own managers and are run differently. If u run by the federal code you should always pass their tests unless something broke after you hit the road. and a company should always give you a federal handbook when you start for them or when you start hitting the interstates... if they're aware of it or not... ... Conducting any business in the United states, beyond local law, you are governed by strict federal law... even if state or city laws are being enforced at the time, they are also governed by federal law and can implement federal if they know it and choose to or have to if they're told to do it.
Hi eric whittington - Thank you for your comment. However, you are incorrect about CDL air brake test being different depending on jurisdictions. CDL air brake tests are the same regardless of where you are in North America. There are some minor differences in the numbers, but the tests are all the same. And this video to which you're referring above is just the Tractor Protection System. This test is for a truck pulling trailers fitted with air brakes. For the entire system there's another video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-rMZwffPGAiQ.html If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick
What is it, good about being to fast speaking, especially, difficult subject which is really hard to understand for the people who doesn't speak English fluently or English is a second language, if you speak a little bit slow probably most people will be appreciated, thanks.
king Lion lol, he has that northern speech down, fast fast and faster! I know he was most likely raised there up north and he will have to really work on the fast.
Hi king Lion - thank you for your valuable comment. And you are right, I'm talking too fast. I'll work to slow it down. I looked up the ideal rate that I should be talking at, and I'll work to slow down somewhat. In the interim, this blog post about the topic may help: goo.gl/OlX5tr If there's anything further we can do, drop us a note. All the best, Cheers Rick
Hi Rashard Claxton - Thank you for your comment and feedback. What is it you're struggling with? If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick
That's good information - unfortunate for you. There's obviously some sort of safety feature in the stop light switch that affects the service brakes!?! Thanks again for the great information, Cheers Rick
You are talking too fast for someone that its confused need to be more patient and explain it more briefly and slower showing the components thanks for trying
This is the vid you're looking for: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-dMxilatT0qw.html And all the videos have closed caption to help with the language. You can also slow the video down in the settings. If we can help further, drop us a note. Cheers Rick
Hi Rozi Horn - Thank you for your comment. And there are closed captions too if that may help with the information. If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick
Hi Steven Litvintchouk - Thank you for your comment and feedback. Most of the videos also have closed caption, which may also help. If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick
Hi Philip Nahrgang - Thank you for your comment. And the majority of these videos have closed caption, which will help. If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick
if this guy DIDN'T just try to show off by rivaling John Moschitta Jr. ... then maybe America's economy would get better by indicating to poor millenials what glad hand is taken off and if the parking brake is synonymous to the emergency brake because this book is saying there's 3 different lines and the emergency brakes ONLY come on if they snap off or this is just checking the trolley valve???... oh and how does the slack and rod look before it's approx nintey degrees?
Hi Jesse Priest - Thank you for your comment. You're struggling with the information. Which state are you taking your CDL? There are three lines going to the trailer: 1) supply line (brakes); 2) service line (brakes); electrical. And the emergency brakes (often referred to as the spring brakes) activated if air is lost in the spring brake chamber. You can find an image of the approximate 90° angle for the push-rod and slack adjuster here: www.smartdrivetest.com/air-brake/tractor-protection-system If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick
