What should you do after charging the air brake system?

After charging the air brake system, the appropriate action is to test the parking brake. This ensures that the parking brake is functioning correctly and is holding the vehicle securely in place. It is crucial to confirm that the air brake system has adequate pressure and that the components are working properly before moving the vehicle.

Testing the parking brake also helps prevent accidents caused by a failure to secure the vehicle, allowing the driver to verify that the brakes can hold the weight of the truck and any attached load. Performing this test is a critical part of the pre-trip inspection and overall safety protocol for operating a commercial vehicle.

While inspecting the tires, checking the connection between the dolly and trailer, and pulling out the trailer air supply control are all important maintenance and safety checks, they are not the immediate actions to take after the air brake system has been charged. Ensuring the parking brake is operational directly correlates to the immediate safety and functionality of the vehicle before it is put into motion.