One common cause of fire apparatus skidding is:

• A. Changing lanes
• B. Weight transfer
• C. Anticipating obstacles in the road
• D. The brake limiting valve

Answer: (B)

Weight transfer is the main factor behind skidding on a fire apparatus because these trucks are heavy and tall, with a high center of gravity. When you brake hard, the mass shifts forward, loading the front axle and unloading the rear. That rear-wheel unloading reduces the grip those tires have on the road, so they can lose traction and slide, causing a skid. In a turn, inertia tends to push the truck straight, so weight shifts to the outside wheels; if those tires can’t grip enough, steering control is compromised and a skid can occur. Abrupt lane changes or anticipating obstacles aren’t the primary causes of loss of traction, though they can contribute if done too aggressively. The brake limiting valve affects how braking force is distributed, but it’s not the common reason for skidding compared to weight transfer.