What is the recommended action to stop a trailer skid?

What is the recommended action to stop a trailer skid?

• A. Accelerate gently
• B. Release the brakes
• C. Steer into the skid
• D. Keep the brakes applied

Answer: (B)

To effectively stop a trailer skid, the recommended action is to release the brakes. When a trailer begins to skid, it's often due to the trailer wheels skidding while the truck's rear wheels maintain traction. By releasing the brakes, you allow the wheels to regain traction and help the trailer straighten out. Continuing to apply the brakes can exacerbate the skid because it further locks the trailer wheels, preventing them from steering properly and leading to a potential loss of control. The option to steer into the skid can sometimes help manage the situation once the brakes are released, but it is not the primary action to take initially when trying to stop a skid. Additionally, accelerating gently or keeping the brakes applied would not effectively address the skid and could lead to a more severe loss of control. Therefore, releasing the brakes is the most effective primary response to regain control during a trailer skid.

To effectively stop a trailer skid, the recommended action is to release the brakes. When a trailer begins to skid, it's often due to the trailer wheels skidding while the truck's rear wheels maintain traction. By releasing the brakes, you allow the wheels to regain traction and help the trailer straighten out. Continuing to apply the brakes can exacerbate the skid because it further locks the trailer wheels, preventing them from steering properly and leading to a potential loss of control.

The option to steer into the skid can sometimes help manage the situation once the brakes are released, but it is not the primary action to take initially when trying to stop a skid. Additionally, accelerating gently or keeping the brakes applied would not effectively address the skid and could lead to a more severe loss of control. Therefore, releasing the brakes is the most effective primary response to regain control during a trailer skid.