Air brakes and air endorsment

[slickest1]

If you have to take a drivers test to prove you are competent to drive a car or a motorcycle, does it not make sense you should have to do the same with a big Diesel pusher with air brakes?
I have been an advocate for that for a long time, and have been flamed for it many times. It is nice to see a few others that see that point.
I have helped a few people along the road with air brake problems and it is scary to see the lack of knowledge that could lead to a serious situation.

[lanerd]

Originally Posted by YC1

Welcome to the forum.

I do not have an endorsement but took the air endorsement written test when going through the difficult task of getting a non commercial class B in California. I won't get into that long boring story.

I think I made the same mistake of thinking they would self adjust properly. They are kept properly lubed and visually inspected.

I too have the class B NCDL, but no nothing of this "air endorsement written test" you speak of. I did take the Class B written test.

Is that test available on-line?

Also for Old Grizz... count me as one of those who do not have a clue about the "slack adjusters". I have read my manual from start to finish and don't remember anything about those devices. Can you provide a little more info on what they are, where they are located and how to adjust them?

Ron

[Unplanned Tourist]

Originally Posted by lanerd

Also for Old Grizz... count me as one of those who do not have a clue about the "slack adjusters". I have read my manual from start to finish and don't remember anything about those devices. Can you provide a little more info on what they are, where they are located and how to adjust them?

Ron

Scarry.

[slickest1]

Originally Posted by Unplanned

Scarry.

No Kidding!
For all the threads I have seen about people obsessing on tire pressure, pressure monitors, steer safe and all the other must have gadgets, they don't have a clue about how their brakes should be maintained or even how they work and they don't really care!

[Possum]

Originally Posted by Unplanned

Here's what the BC government has to say---
Driving an RV
Drivers usually do not need a commercial licence to drive a motor home. However, Drivers may need a special endorsement if the motor home is
towing something in excess of 4600 kgs. Drivers will also need an air brake endorsement if the motor home has air brakes.
I do think anyone driving a MH with air brakes should for their's and other's safety, take an air brake course. JMHO.

Actually, because a friend from Texas, with air brakes, was planning on visiting us and he asked the requirements in BC. I contacted CVSE in Victoria (Vancouver??) and asked. After about 8 "I don't know answers" a gentleman did confirm that if he was legal in Texas he would be legal here. Reciprocal agreements rule here too.

Originally Posted by slickest1

No Kidding!
For all the threads I have seen about people obsessing on tire pressure, pressure monitors, steer safe and all the other must have gadgets, they don't have a clue about how their brakes should be maintained or even how they work and they don't really care!

As an aside I asked the same guy if there was an RV course I could take because we had our eye on an Air braked unit. He said no and that I had to take the full course if I was licensed in BC. That said I asked if I would be able to repair these brakes as an owner and he said, I am not a professional driver so all brake work and repairs etc would have to be done at a shop. To me we could be looking at a tax grab license fee.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by oldgrizz

Thank you for the replies.
I was very surprised when I was at a RV show a year ago in Vancouver.
I was in a large class A and a salesman was giving the pitch to a prospective customer. The customer asked what the yellow button was on the dash and the salesman said it was the park brake. Air brake system.
The customer asked if there was anything special about that system and the salesman said NO.
I find it scary that any sales department would not fully disclose the requirement for an air endorsment and knowledge of air brakes.
With the weight of class A and super class C units it is scary that they would be driven by drivers with no knowledge that their brakes are not like those on their car or truck.
Even though I do not have air brakes on my set up I still pull into brake checks before steep hills and do a walk around check.
I do not see heavy rv units pulling into brake checks.

Salesman was right, there is nothing special about the system when compared to other air brake systems. When a question like that is asked during a normal "give and take" talk between a prospective customer at a show there would be no reason to delve into the licensing requirements. That's up to the RV buyer to determine and take care of.

[RayJr]

In NJ since your not a commercial vehicle,or for hire, no air brake issue or CDL needed.

[lanerd]

I've been doing a little research on this, and the best I've found is that since 1994, air brake adjusters are fully automatic and do not need any 'manual adjustments".

Is this true?

Ron

[Unplanned Tourist]

Originally Posted by lanerd

I've been doing a little research on this, and the best I've found is that since 1994, air brake adjusters are fully automatic and do not need any 'manual adjustments".

Is this true?

Ron

True, but I do believe that the operator should have at least a minimal amount of knowledge of how the air braking system works. Like when the park brake (maxi brakes) will apply in the case of air pressure loss. Also how auto slacks adjust themselves, and how to spot a brake that is travelling too far on application. JMHO.
We still have brake checks at the top of most long hills around here, and the truckers must stop and check their brakes. Fine and demerit points if they get caught not stopping.

[Skip426]

Originally Posted by oldgrizz

The customer asked if there was anything special about that system and the salesman said NO.
I find it scary that any sales department would not fully disclose the requirement for an air endorsment and knowledge of air brakes.
.

Salesman was probably selling appliances at Sears last week, had one RV salesman ask why I was looking at the GVWR of a 5er I was considering , told him I thought it was too heavy for my truck , he said " You've got a 3/4 ton 4X4, you can tow anything you want !"

There is no testing for RV salesmen , and there should be.

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by lanerd

I've been doing a little research on this, and the best I've found is that since 1994, air brake adjusters are fully automatic and do not need any 'manual adjustments".

Is this true?

Ron

It's true. The US D.O.T. says not to adjust an air brake with auto adjusters.

Get it fixed so the adjuster works again !!

You really don't need to know any more about air brakes then you do about hydraulic brakes.

With air brakes, if you have no air pressure, you can't move.

With hydraulic brakes, you can move and don't know there gone, until you step on the pedal.

Pay attention to the warning lights and buzzers. Red or loud ones are bad.

[Pigman1]

Originally Posted by twinboat

It's true. The US D.O.T. says not to adjust an air brake with auto adjusters.

Get it fixed so the adjuster works again !!

You really don't need to know any more about air brakes then you do about hydraulic brakes.

With air brakes, if you have no air pressure, you can't move.

With hydraulic brakes, you can move and don't know there gone, until you step on the pedal.

Pay attention to the warning lights and buzzers. Red or loud ones are bad.

Now THAT'S scary!!!.

Don't have any idea how they work, whether the lights and buzzers are working properly and do their thing at the right point, and what you can and cannot do when you have a malfunction, if you even recognise something is broken and not working right.

Any one out there a betting man? I'd be willing to bet that no more than 15% of those RV'ers driving an air brake equipped coaches could pass a CDL brake check and explain to the checker what he was doing and why.

[slickest1]

Originally Posted by Possum

Actually, because a friend from Texas, with air brakes, was planning on visiting us and he asked the requirements in BC. I contacted CVSE in Victoria (Vancouver??) and asked. After about 8 "I don't know answers" a gentleman did confirm that if he was legal in Texas he would be legal here. Reciprocal agreements rule here too.

As an aside I asked the same guy if there was an RV course I could take because we had our eye on an Air braked unit. He said no and that I had to take the full course if I was licensed in BC. That said I asked if I would be able to repair these brakes as an owner and he said, I am not a professional driver so all brake work and repairs etc would have to be done at a shop. To me we could be looking at a tax grab license fee.

We bought our coach when we lived in Alberta and were told there that my wife would have to take an air brake course at a driving school and then she would get that endorsement on her licence. The course was 7 hrs. and a written test.
I don't know this for sure but I think BC is the same. Most commercial driving schools provide this course and it may be a little more in depth in BC.
If your are thinking an air brake vehicle then I would check that out. The driving schools will know and steer you in the right direction.

[Unplanned Tourist]

Originally Posted by slickest1

We bought our coach when we lived in Alberta and were told there that my wife would have to take an air brake course at a driving school and then she would get that endorsement on her licence. The course was 7 hrs. and a written test.
I don't know this for sure but I think BC is the same. Most commercial driving schools provide this course and it may be a little more in depth in BC.
If your are thinking an air brake vehicle then I would check that out. The driving schools will know and steer you in the right direction.

In BC you have a choice of the 16 hour/$100.00 theory only or the 20 hour/$175.00 theory and pre-trip course at the local TRU.
You can take the practice test here... BC Practice Driving Test - Richmond Public Library
Just click on the Vehicle Class (Air Brake Endorsement) and Class 5 is regular car licence. Maybe a good idea to check your skill.