Your emergency air line breaks or gets pulled apart while you are driving. What will happen to the emergency trailer brakes?

When the emergency air line breaks or is pulled apart while driving a combination vehicle, the emergency trailer brakes will engage automatically. This is a critical safety feature designed to prevent the trailer from becoming disconnected and rolling freely.

In such an event, the loss of air pressure in the emergency line triggers the spring brakes on the trailer. These brakes are held in a released position by air pressure; when that pressure is lost due to a break or disconnection, the springs automatically engage the brakes to stop the trailer. This mechanism is crucial for preventing potential accidents that could occur if a trailer were to detach during travel. The engagement of emergency brakes helps to secure the trailer in place, reducing the risk of it rolling away and ensuring the safety of the driver and surrounding traffic.