New drivers please read - Hook up procedures...

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Voyager1968, Nov 22, 2014.

  1. Voyager1968

    Voyager1968 Road Train Member

    2,346
    2,695
    Sep 11, 2008
    Phoenix, AZ
    0
    Always, and I mean ALWAYS get under your trailer and do a visual inspection of the fifth wheel when you hook to a trailer. Just because you have resistance when you do a "tug test" does NOT mean that the jaws of the fifth wheel are fully closed.

    I always get under and look, and it's a good thing I do. The other day I started having difficulty hooking up. I would back under, tug, and not be hooked, it was taking 4-5 times to finally get the jaws to latch. On one of my hookups, I did the tug test, and it acted as if it was latched. By going underneath and doing a visual inspection, I could see that the jaw was only HALFWAY latched. It was enough to fool an unsuspecting driver into thinking it was a proper hookup.

    Had I not gone under and looked, somewhere down the road, the connection likely would have failed, and a potential catastrophe could have occurred.
     
    77smartin, Lady K, Mr Ed and 29 others Thank this.
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

    22,474
    20,134
    Jul 19, 2008
    Sioux City,ia
    0
    I always make sure the kingpin is lined up with the yoke before hooking up then I give it a tug test about 3 times then physically get under the trailer to make sure the jaws are locked.Better safe then sorry.
     
    Voyager1968, X-Country and Puppage Thank this.
  4. Voyager1968

    Voyager1968 Road Train Member

    2,346
    2,695
    Sep 11, 2008
    Phoenix, AZ
    0
    I tug twice when I initially hook up, get under and look during the pre-trip, and then tug again using the trolley before I finally drive. That's twice on the parking brake, once with the service brake, and a visual. I definitely want to make sure the hook up is good.
     
    pattyj Thanks this.
  5. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

    22,474
    20,134
    Jul 19, 2008
    Sioux City,ia
    0
    I never used the trolly bar although its a real good idea.When I was at kb I hooked and unhooked 12 to 14 times a day,I always hooked up the way I described in my earlier post and unhook I would pull the trl brk and make sure my trk was flushed with the trailer to ease the tention so the fifth wheel handle was easy to pull.
     
  6. STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

    14,962
    29,144
    Oct 3, 2011
    Longview, TX
    0
    When you're hooking up from a lot with pot holes or otherwise an uneven position. Do what you can do to insure you're hooked up while in the hookup position, but once you get out to level ground, double check again visually and by any other means available. Being heavy makes this more difficult but no less important. Best to find out you're not latched good there then on a public road
     
    Big Don Thanks this.
  7. dieselfuelonly

    dieselfuelonly Road Train Member

    2,475
    5,082
    Nov 12, 2012
    Chapel Hill, NC
    0
    Had the same thing happen when I first started driving. Release handle went in most of the way too but the jaws were not closed all the way. So glad I looked. From that point on I have got under and looked every. Single. Time.
     
    pattyj Thanks this.
  8. Dna Mach

    Dna Mach Road Train Member

    3,203
    2,820
    Aug 8, 2008
    Texas
    0
    I never release the trailer brakes without doing a little tug test. Even after fueling when I didn't leave the vicinity of the truck. It's just a habit I learned from day 1 many years ago at Schneider and still do it. When hooking to a loaded trailer, tanks in my case, I always hear the fifth wheel latch and immediately verify visually. Tug tests when hooking to a trailer will twist the landing legs into oblivion and you'll be cranking in low gear much longer than is necessary. I think ten rotations in low gear is equivalent to one rotation in high gear, roughly. You'll never lift a heavy trailer's legs off the ground like you will an empty. Your airbags will compress greatly under the weight but while your hooking up your airlines and electrical it will rise a little. Every driver has a system of doing things and they aren't kidding when they say old habits are hard to break.
     
    pattyj Thanks this.
  9. miss elvee

    miss elvee Heavy Load Member

    816
    2,640
    Dec 15, 2012
    Russellville, AR
    0
    Totally agree visual check every time. Pintle hooks, too if ya got 'em.

    Also, with the colder weather here, be sure to check the amount of grease on your fifth wheel. It gums up in the winter when it is real cold or if you have a ton of build up from not cleaning it out regularly. If you keep banging a wagon and it simply won't hook that's one thing to look at.
     
    pattyj, Dna Mach and Ebola Guy Thank this.
  10. windsmith

    windsmith Road Train Member

    7,296
    6,028
    Sep 2, 2011
    NEPA
    0
    Tug test is useless, and doesn't do your equipment any favors either. Never waste time on a tug test. Always look. And until you gain some experience, back under the trailer, but stop short of the king pin. Get out and look at the 5th wheel to be sure that the trailer is not too high.
     
    Dale thompson Thanks this.
  11. Voyager1968

    Voyager1968 Road Train Member

    2,346
    2,695
    Sep 11, 2008
    Phoenix, AZ
    0
    Excellent advice...thanks for adding it!
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.