CDL Vehicle Combination Practice Test

Before proceeding with a trailer coupling, verifying that the air system is fully charged is crucial. In combination vehicles, the air braking system is essential for safe operation. A fully charged air system ensures that the brakes can function correctly when needed, which is vital for safety during driving. If the air system is not fully charged, the brakes may not engage properly or could fail altogether, leading to potential accidents.

While adjusting the load balance, ensuring proper trailer support, and cleaning connection points are important aspects of safe trailer operation, they are secondary to the operational readiness of the air brake system. If the air system is compromised, no amount of preparation in these other areas can account for the dangers posed by inadequate braking capability. Therefore, the priority must always be to ensure that the air system has sufficient pressure for reliable brake performance before coupling the trailer.