New braking guide for truck and trailer combinations

ASSOCIATIONS representing trucking operators, manufacturers and suppliers have released a comprehensive braking guide to assist industry members understanding of current braking combinations. 

“Understanding brake and stability ratings for truck and trailer combinations that have varying brake technologies is a key to achieving best practice in the trucking industry,” said Australian Trucking Association (ATA) senior engineering advisor Chris Loose. 

The guide was developed by the ATA industry technical council (ITC), the Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association, the Australian Road Transport Suppliers Association, the Commercial Vehicle Industry Association of Australia, Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia and the Truck Industry Council. 

“It details valuable information about heavy vehicle combinations and the impact of varying braking and stability technology across the combination, understanding the performance rating tables, trouble shooting, modification and settings for trailer braking, as well as a general background on braking and stability,” said Mr Loose. 

“It is a product of many hours of hard work, and based on the collective experience of operators, suppliers, regulators and industry groups. It is directed towards operators and suppliers of heavy vehicles.

“There are a lot of different kinds of vehicles and brake combinations on the Australian market and on our roads, and understanding their technicalities and limitations allows everyone to operate more safely and efficiently,” Mr Loose said. 

The report can be downloaded at http://www.truck.net.au/resource-library/guide-braking-and-stability-performance-heavy-vehicles