CDL Vehicle Combination Practice Test

What is the potential consequence of parking a trailer at an angle while uncoupling?

1. Nothing significant will happen

2. You could damage the landing gear

3. The brakes may be affected

4. The trailer might roll away

The correct answer is: You could damage the landing gear

Parking a trailer at an angle while uncoupling can lead to damage to the landing gear. When a trailer is on an incline or positioned at an angle, the weight distribution changes, putting additional stress on the landing gear. This gear is designed to support the trailer when it is stationary and leveled, but if the trailer is not properly parked, it can be forced to bear an uneven load. Over time, this can result in bending, breaking, or misalignment of the landing gear components, ultimately leading to expensive repairs and potential safety hazards when re-coupling the trailer in the future. In addition to potential damage to the landing gear, other options address different concerns that do not directly relate to the primary issue at hand. Damage to the brakes or the possibility of the trailer rolling away would depend on additional specific circumstances, and while they are valid concerns in general, the most immediate and direct consequence of an angled parking scenario is indeed the impact on the landing gear.