I used to carry a propane torch to heat things up...brake cans/drums etc.., and drain trailer air tanks every time you get a new trailer ....is your truck evaporator working?
Yeah I might invest in a torch, I can see how they’d be handy in the winter. And I’m not totally sure if my evaporator is working or how to check it, but I’ll look into that. Thanks!
I am curious what turned out to be the problem Ian? You might find this helpful....State of California  State of California Department of Motor Vehicles Menu Home Commercial Driver Handbook COMMERCIAL DRIVER HANDBOOK  SECTION 6 OF 15 Section 5: Air Brakes HANDBOOK TABLE OF CONTENTS Previous Section Next Section This section tells you about air brakes. If you want to drive a truck, bus, or pull a trailer with air brakes, you need to read this section. If you want to pull a trailer with air brakes, you also need to read Section 6: Combination Vehicles in this handbook. Air brakes use compressed air to make the brakes work. Air brakes are a good and safe way of stopping large and heavy vehicles, but the brakes must be well maintained and used properly. Air brakes are really 3 different braking systems: service brake, parking brake, and emergency brake. The: Service brake system applies and releases the brakes when you use the brake pedal during normal driving. Parking brake system applies and releases the parking brakes when you use the parking brake control. Emergency brake system uses parts of the service and parking brake systems to stop the vehicle in a brake system failure. CDL Air Brake Requirements. For CDL purposes, a vehicle’s air brake system must meet the above definition and contain the following, which will be checked during the vehicle inspection test: Air gauges. Low pressure warning device(s). If the vehicle you use for your road test does not have these components, your vehicle will not be considered as having an air brake system and you will have a “No Air Brakes” (“L”) restriction on your CDL. A full service brake application must deliver to all brake chambers not less than 90 percent of the air reservoir pressure remaining with the brakes applied (CVC §26502). The parts of these systems are discussed in greater detail in the following paragraphs. 5.1 - Parts of an Air Brake System There are many parts to an air brake system. You should know about the parts discussed here. 5.1.1 - Air Compressor The air compressor pumps air into the air storage tanks (reservoirs). The air compressor is connected to the engine through gears or a v-belt. The compressor may be air cooled or cooled by the engine cooling system. It may have its own oil supply or be lubricated by engine oil. If the compressor has its own oil supply, check the oil level before driving. 5.1.2 - Air Compressor Governor The governor controls when the air compressor will pump air into the air storage tanks. When air tank pressure rises to the “cut-out” level (around 125 pounds per-square-inch or “psi”), the governor stops the compressor from pumping air. When the tank pressure falls to the “cut-in” pressure (around 100 psi), the governor allows the compressor to start pumping again. 5.1.3 - Air Storage Tanks Air storage tanks are used to hold compressed air. The number and size of air tanks varies among vehicles. The tanks will hold enough air to allow the brakes to be used several times, even if the compressor stops working. 5.1.4 - Air Tank Drains Compressed air usually has some water and some compressor oil in it, which is bad for the air brake system. The water can freeze in cold weather and cause brake failure. The water and oil tend to collect in the bottom of the air tank. Be sure that you drain the air tanks completely. Each air tank is equipped with a drain valve in the bottom. There are 2 types: Manual-operated by turning a quarter turn or pulling a cable. You must drain the tanks yourself at the end of each day of driving. See Figure 5.1. Automatic-the water and oil are automatically expelled. These tanks may be equipped for manual draining as well. Automatic air tanks are available with electric heating devices. These help prevent freezing of the automatic drain in cold weather.  Figure 5.1 5.1.5 - Alcohol Evaporator Some air brake systems have an alcohol evaporator to put alcohol into the air system. This helps to reduce the risk of ice in air brake valves and other parts during cold weather. Ice inside the system can make the brakes stop working. Check the alcohol container and fill up as necessary. (every day during cold weather). Daily air tank drainage is still needed to get rid of water and oil (unless the system has automatic drain valves).
@@markdelaney7187 this is definitely helpful, thanks! I managed to get my trailer brakes free, but one of my tractor brakes was also frozen. So when a mechanic arrived he freed it up with a pry bar and hammer. I tried checking my tractor brakes before he got there, but my truck starts blaring an alarm with the horn if you open the door when the tractor air supply is pushed in (even though I had my trailer brakes set, and truck in neutral). So I wasn’t able to get down and try banging on the tractor brake drums without waking up and annoying all the other drivers around me.
@@ianelbert you're supposed to do that every night especially during the cold winter months. You have to drain the tractor and trailer air tanks. There are videos on TH-cam that show you where they are located. I have a 2020 freightliner and the aire tanks are by the driver side steps.
@@ElMeroONE yeah, I had honestly forgot about that since nobody ever mentioned it since I was in CDL school lol. This is my first full winter where I’ll be driving so I never ran into this issue till now. I’ll definitely be adding that to my routine from now on 👍
@@ianelbert hey what's good man. I woke up to my trailer brakes frozen today and I refer to this video that de-icer for the airline and the hammer trick got me out today. At the end of it I drove the truck forward and backwards and that help me break the ice of my trailer breaks. It's all about experience and being patient.
Lol when its so cold you aren’t thinking straight and you about to put the winch bar in the chain box. Relatable
You’re working hard today bro! Be safe out there!
Yessir, I’ll do my best! Thanks
Flatbed gang
I used to carry a propane torch to heat things up...brake cans/drums etc.., and drain trailer air tanks every time you get a new trailer ....is your truck evaporator working?
Yeah I might invest in a torch, I can see how they’d be handy in the winter. And I’m not totally sure if my evaporator is working or how to check it, but I’ll look into that. Thanks!
I am curious what turned out to be the problem Ian?
You might find this helpful....State of California

State of California Department of Motor Vehicles
Menu
Home
Commercial Driver Handbook
COMMERCIAL DRIVER HANDBOOK

SECTION 6 OF 15
Section 5: Air Brakes
HANDBOOK TABLE OF CONTENTS
Previous Section
Next Section
This section tells you about air brakes. If you want to drive a truck, bus, or pull a trailer with air brakes, you need to read this section. If you want to pull a trailer with air brakes, you also need to read Section 6: Combination Vehicles in this handbook.
Air brakes use compressed air to make the brakes work. Air brakes are a good and safe way of stopping large and heavy vehicles, but the brakes must be well maintained and used properly.
Air brakes are really 3 different braking systems: service brake, parking brake, and emergency brake. The:
Service brake system applies and releases the brakes when you use the brake pedal during normal driving.
Parking brake system applies and releases the parking brakes when you use the parking brake control.
Emergency brake system uses parts of the service and parking brake systems to stop the vehicle in a brake system failure.
CDL Air Brake Requirements. For CDL purposes, a vehicle’s air brake system must meet the above definition and contain the following, which will be checked during the vehicle inspection test:
Air gauges.
Low pressure warning device(s).
If the vehicle you use for your road test does not have these components, your vehicle will not be considered as having an air brake system and you will have a “No Air Brakes” (“L”) restriction on your CDL.
A full service brake application must deliver to all brake chambers not less than 90 percent of the air reservoir pressure remaining with the brakes applied (CVC §26502).
The parts of these systems are discussed in greater detail in the following paragraphs.
5.1 - Parts of an Air Brake System
There are many parts to an air brake system. You should know about the parts discussed here.
5.1.1 - Air Compressor
The air compressor pumps air into the air storage tanks (reservoirs). The air compressor is connected to the engine through gears or a v-belt. The compressor may be air cooled or cooled by the engine cooling system. It may have its own oil supply or be lubricated by engine oil. If the compressor has its own oil supply, check the oil level before driving.
5.1.2 - Air Compressor Governor
The governor controls when the air compressor will pump air into the air storage tanks. When air tank pressure rises to the “cut-out” level (around 125 pounds per-square-inch or “psi”), the governor stops the compressor from pumping air. When the tank pressure falls to the “cut-in” pressure (around 100 psi), the governor allows the compressor to start pumping again.
5.1.3 - Air Storage Tanks
Air storage tanks are used to hold compressed air. The number and size of air tanks varies among vehicles. The tanks will hold enough air to allow the brakes to be used several times, even if the compressor stops working.
5.1.4 - Air Tank Drains
Compressed air usually has some water and some compressor oil in it, which is bad for the air brake system. The water can freeze in cold weather and cause brake failure. The water and oil tend to collect in the bottom of the air tank. Be sure that you drain the air tanks completely. Each air tank is equipped with a drain valve in the bottom. There are 2 types:
Manual-operated by turning a quarter turn or pulling a cable. You must drain the tanks yourself at the end of each day of driving. See Figure 5.1.
Automatic-the water and oil are automatically expelled. These tanks may be equipped for manual draining as well.
Automatic air tanks are available with electric heating devices. These help prevent freezing of the automatic drain in cold weather.

Figure 5.1
5.1.5 - Alcohol Evaporator
Some air brake systems have an alcohol evaporator to put alcohol into the air system. This helps to reduce the risk of ice in air brake valves and other parts during cold weather. Ice inside the system can make the brakes stop working.
Check the alcohol container and fill up as necessary. (every day during cold weather). Daily air tank drainage is still needed to get rid of water and oil (unless the system has automatic drain valves).
@@markdelaney7187 this is definitely helpful, thanks! I managed to get my trailer brakes free, but one of my tractor brakes was also frozen. So when a mechanic arrived he freed it up with a pry bar and hammer. I tried checking my tractor brakes before he got there, but my truck starts blaring an alarm with the horn if you open the door when the tractor air supply is pushed in (even though I had my trailer brakes set, and truck in neutral). So I wasn’t able to get down and try banging on the tractor brake drums without waking up and annoying all the other drivers around me.
I'm glad you were able to get some help out there
it's a learning process
be safe feel free to hit me up with any questions you might have
What kind of gloves are you using?
They’re cabela brand shooting gloves, I got them at a bass pro shop. They’re water proof and keep your hands warm. I think they were like $40 or $50
Did you drain your air tanks ? You are supposed to do it every day
I did not, that’s probably why they wouldn’t release
@@ianelbert you're supposed to do that every night especially during the cold winter months. You have to drain the tractor and trailer air tanks. There are videos on TH-cam that show you where they are located. I have a 2020 freightliner and the aire tanks are by the driver side steps.
@@ElMeroONE yeah, I had honestly forgot about that since nobody ever mentioned it since I was in CDL school lol. This is my first full winter where I’ll be driving so I never ran into this issue till now. I’ll definitely be adding that to my routine from now on 👍
@@ianelbert hey what's good man. I woke up to my trailer brakes frozen today and I refer to this video that de-icer for the airline and the hammer trick got me out today. At the end of it I drove the truck forward and backwards and that help me break the ice of my trailer breaks. It's all about experience and being patient.
P.S. I also had a trailer leak due to three small air leaks on my trailer. After I got them unstuck i went to the love's speedco to get them fix.