Home › CDL Practice Tests › Combination Vehicles Questions › Question 140
What is the correct way to use the brakes on a long, steep downgrade with a combination vehicle?
- A.Ride the brakes lightly all the way down to keep a constant speed
- B.Get into a low gear before starting down, then use snub braking: brake firmly to slow well below your safe speed, release, and repeat as needed
- C.Stay in neutral and rely on the service brakes alone
- D.Use the trailer hand valve only, to save the tractor brakes
Correct answer
B. Get into a low gear before starting down, then use snub braking: brake firmly to slow well below your safe speed, release, and repeat as needed
Why
A low gear does most of the holding work, and short firm applications control the rest without cooking the brakes. Riding the brakes continuously builds heat until they fade, which on a grade leaves you with almost no stopping ability.
Manual topic: Combination Vehicles - Skids and Jackknifing · From the Combination Vehicles practice bank (CV-140).