ELDT Skid Control and Recovery 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which action best helps prevent skids before they start?
- Adjusting speed and following distance to match conditions (Correct answer)
- Keeping the radio loud
- Driving with worn tires
- Braking hard at every stop
Correct answer: Adjusting speed and following distance to match conditions
Preventing skids starts with adjusting speed and space to the road and weather conditions.
Question 2: A jackknife occurs when:
- The trailer swings out and folds toward the tractor (Correct answer)
- The tires lose air pressure
- The brakes overheat only
- The engine stalls
Correct answer: The trailer swings out and folds toward the tractor
A jackknife happens when the trailer's rear wheels skid and the trailer swings toward the tractor, forming an angle.
Question 3: Trailer skids (trailer jackknife) are most often caused by:
- Locking the trailer wheels through hard braking (Correct answer)
- Accelerating slowly
- Using the mirrors
- Downshifting smoothly
Correct answer: Locking the trailer wheels through hard braking
Trailer jackknifes usually result from the trailer wheels locking up during hard braking.
Question 4: The best way to prevent a trailer skid from locked wheels is to:
- Brake as hard as possible
- Recognize the skid early and release the brakes to let the trailer wheels roll (Correct answer)
- Speed up
- Turn off the ABS
Correct answer: Recognize the skid early and release the brakes to let the trailer wheels roll
Release the brakes so the trailer wheels can roll and realign behind the tractor.
Question 5: You can spot a trailer jackknife starting by:
- Checking your mirrors and seeing the trailer swinging out (Correct answer)
- Listening to the engine
- Watching the fuel gauge
- Feeling the seat heater
Correct answer: Checking your mirrors and seeing the trailer swinging out
Regular mirror checks let you see the trailer swinging out so you can react early.
Question 6: Which condition increases the risk of a jackknife most?
- A lightly loaded or empty trailer with locked wheels (Correct answer)
- A fully loaded trailer at low speed
- Dry pavement
- New tires
Correct answer: A lightly loaded or empty trailer with locked wheels
An empty or lightly loaded trailer has less traction, so its wheels lock and skid more easily.
Question 7: To avoid jackknifing when stopping on a slippery road, you should:
- Brake gently and early, keeping the wheels rolling (Correct answer)
- Brake hard at the last second
- Downshift and release the clutch quickly
- Use only the trailer brakes
Correct answer: Brake gently and early, keeping the wheels rolling
Gentle, early braking keeps the wheels rolling and prevents the lock-up that causes jackknifing.
ELDT Skid Control and Recovery 3
Which action best helps prevent skids before they start?