Does your home jurisdiction require air brake endorsement?

havasu wrote:
It's a thread full of interesting comments.

I wonder how many participants have actually taken and passed the non-commercial CDL test including the air brake test?

I failed my first time around on the safety checks because the inspector asked me to touch each item as I verbally explained what the test was and what I should be looking for. I talked about checking the fan belt for tension but in my rear engine DP I didn't crawl underneath to touch it - that earned me a fail.

That was in Las Vegas, NV

I have a class B CDL...took the road test & passed the first time in an old Ford L8000 side-loader, an old Pepsi truck. My wife took her road test in a Ford C6000 rollback and also passed the first time.

The day I was there, my inspector had passed ZERO applicants.

DW is a Class A instructor. While she was training me there was a lot of barking back and forth about "you don't really want me to point or touch all that stuff"??

As usual, she was right....somehow DW has not forgotten. Forgive and forget??
Not in this household.

It's a thread full of interesting comments.

I wonder how many participants have actually taken and passed the non-commercial CDL test including the air brake test?

I failed my first time around on the safety checks because the inspector asked me to touch each item as I verbally explained what the test was and what I should be looking for. I talked about checking the fan belt for tension but in my rear engine DP I didn't crawl underneath to touch it - that earned me a fail.

That was in Las Vegas, NV

Tom_Anderson wrote:

msmith1199 wrote:
"You would fail the CDL test. You forgot the walk around which requires actual checking of the slack adjusters and brake pads, drums or rotors"

You're supposed to do a walk around and check brake pads? I could not do that with a walk around, at least I don't think. I'd have to do a crawl under and I'm pretty sure even with crawling under on the drum brakes you can't even see the pads without taking the drum off.

Yes, if you're driving a commercial vehicle, you are supposed to do a complete inspection every day. Obviously, if you can't see the brake shoes without removing the drums, you're not expected to check them. Again, this is only for commercial vehicles, or the CDL driving test.

I have never seen drum brakes without inspection slots. Also, many have drums totally open in back (Freightliner trucks come to mind).

peaches&cream wrote:
Well the requirements for driving a MH over 26000 lbs. and with air brakes has been covered from head to toe on this site. i have a further proposal as to the safety of the unit. I have to have a "annual inspection" on my Airplane each year. has to be completed by a Mechanic with a A&P and Inspectors rating. Let's make the same thing mandatory for a MH. Easy to inforce. Just no tag until you produce the required paperwork. I mean, all these MH's are out here running around , wrecking, killing people, putting our population in "emininate danger". The inspection for my single engine plane only cost $2000 to $3000 per yr. Small price to pay in order to stop all these MH accidents. This plan would protect the public from all the "rogue" MH operators more so than a piece of paper saying they know which pedal is the brake and which one is the accelerator. :S

I hope this post make the majority of readers aware of the Gov. intervention that can happen due to the concerns of a very few. If the accident rate called for further regulation, then it may be required. A very few individuals think everyone should be trained CDL drivers or they should not be allowed to operate their MH's. Getting a CDL or a endorsement to your license is more Gov. regulations to your way of living. They think we do not have enough regulations now, so just add a few more.

A large motorhome should have to have a safety inspection every year, just like a truck.

John & Angela wrote:

slickest1 wrote:
The fact that you think you have auto air tank purging and air driers on your compressor says to me you really don't fully understand your system. What you hear purging would be the air dryer that is plumbed into your air system that removes most of the moisture out of the air before it gets to your tanks.
I don't think most people need the same course a truck driver needs but should have an idea of what they are driving and that it should be maintained. Air brake systems are more complicated and need to be because of they weight they need to stop. There are alot of safety measures built in to them like auto slacks and such that need to be maintained. You may scoff at us old truckers all you want, but telling people that are new to this that you can just get in it and drive it without knowing anything about it is just plain Bad Info.

Beat me to it. Thats kinda scary. I wonder how many people are driving around out there that haven't purged their tanks. I would hope they get told how to purge their tanks on their walk through from the dealer. Scary.

I just got a rental truck at work...I pulled the air tank drain and got what had to be a couple quarts of water! Good thing it wasn't winter!

In a perfect world, it would be beneficial for all new RV owners to go thru an 8 hour training session to point out safety features of the coach, how to do a pre-trip inspection, and to understand the differences when operating a 40 foot RV, vs a Ford Excursion.

I remember my first time behind the wheel of a Greyhound when I started working for them. My first comment was that this thing is HUGE! Just learning how to drive it without curb-checking every time you made a right hand turn was a totally interesting experience.

30 years later, I can't even notice the differences. Brain and muscle memory automatically change to "Bus" mode when I get behind the wheel.

As long as newbies be extra cautious for the first three months or so, they will most likely have a good knowledge of what they can and can't do...(After losing a air conditioner shroud or two in the process) :P

You need to get some alligator skin!

I'm with Tom. See yall in the "funny papers".

Happy Camping, don't forget to check those "slack adjusters", check all your tires for cracks and inflation, if the tires are over 5 yrs. old call a tow truck so you can get to the tire store before a blowout, check your refer cause it can burn your RV down, get your CDL and you will feel 100% better (don't know why but 2% of the posters say so), check all the Camping World locations so you will know where not to stop, make reservations at all the Walmarts on your route, make sure your CoachNet is paid up because your ERS with you Insurance Co. is no good, never purchase Progressive Ins. cause the CEO 100 yrs. ago has differing p*******l asperations than you do, sell your Monaco product because Navistar no longer owns them, check out all the Pilot/Flying J locations so you will not have to stop there. Whew I'm tired. Think I'll just stay home and drink. :)

mrlightrail wrote:

Tom_Anderson wrote:
I have a commercial Class A license and, to the best of my knowledge, there is no such thing as an air brake endorsement. There is only an air brake restriction if you are not allowed to operate a vehicle with air brakes (most likely because you took the driving test in a vehicle that did not have air brakes).

It's true that many people driving RVs with air brakes have no idea how the system works beyond the fact that it stops when they step on the brake pedal. But how many people driving RVs with hydraulic brakes have any idea how their brake systems work? Why is there no outrage over that?

Main difference between hydraulic and air brakes is that hydraulic pressure is used to apply the brakes, whereas in air systems, air is used to keep the brakes from applying. You lose hydraulics...NO BRAKES. Lose Air...Brakes apply. Much safer.

wait til you are at the very bottom of a long hill with a 45 foot gasoline tamper pushing you and your air brakes will not even slow you down! You ride it out and hope for the best.