The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts air disc brakes, input wanted

I agree with everything you have stated, but just want to add that many straight trucks have air brakes. Many of those trucks had no trailer hitch or any kind of connectors for lines. My opinion is that air brakes is a much stronger and heavier brake system that can also handle stopping a heavier load better related to what you have mentioned about the variable amount of pressure that can be applied.

Driving a truck with air brakes was just an impressive way to stop compared to some of the big trucks we had with hydraulic brakes. Plus back in the old days, before the double master cylinder reservoirs, once you had a leak you had no brakes pretty quick. With air you have a warning system to let you know you had a problem. Then later on, we got trucks with "Maxi" brakes which I believe was one of the greatest inventions man ever made.