Help me with hooking up to a trailer please

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by A Bug, Oct 20, 2014.

  1. A Bug

    A Bug Heavy Load Member

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    I just have a couple questions about doing this properly.

    I back up my truck to a trailer and Smack I hear the jaw shut around the kingpin. Now is a tug test required if I get out and inspect the kingpin to make sure that it is secure? I guess I am asking is there a chance that even if the jaw is shut around the pin could it still break open if it is defective for some reason? I just do not like doing the tug test because often if will drag the landing gear just enough to make it hard to raise(the folks in my company love to crank it all the way down to the ground real sturdy and all).

    My other question is about this morning. I backed up to the trailer and heard the Smack, but when inspecting it I noticed it was only halfway shut. I got back in the truck to pull out and try again, this time securing it all the way. I know a halfway locked jaw could end up real bad, is this something I need to get repaired? Or does this kind of thing just happen now and then with all trucks and their kingpins? I am company driver and all but it still costs me money when truck is down due to lost miles.
     
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  3. Marksteven

    Marksteven Road Train Member

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    Wait till winter comes and temps are zero or minus degrees. You will get a half lock plenty of times due to grease freezing. As long as you climb under and do a visual and see the jaw completely wrapped around the king pin and the fifth wheel handle is all the way in, then other than tugging the crap out of it there is nothing else you can do. Dont load your fifth wheel up with grease in the winter
     
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  4. 25YEARCRYO

    25YEARCRYO Bobtail Member

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    Never rely on the sound of the 5th wheel latching! Always look and always tug. If you are picking up an empty or light trailer that will easily skin the landing gear you can roll the gear up an inch or so before you tug test. The keys to getting a solid latch the first time are getting straight with the trailer and having the height of the 5th wheel and the trailer match up within an acceptable range. Always check for a "high hook" too. There should be no gap between the kingpin plate and the 5th wheel.
     
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  5. tucker

    tucker Road Train Member

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    Good advice above me,
    always get under it and look, use a flashlight if you can't see it real good
     
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  6. Balakov100

    Balakov100 Road Train Member

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    After you check 5th wheel a few times to find out it didn't hook just right you will want to start doing the tug test again.

    I always hook tug twice then get out and look at 5th Wheel.
     
  7. misterG

    misterG Road Train Member

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    You shouldn't be tugging so long that the landing gear even moves. But, yes, I tug test every time. Then I get out and look to confirm a solid hook.
    I don't let the landing gear touch the ground, but leave it about an inch or so above when dropping a trailer. That way the next truck can pick it up. It helps to prevent high hooks (what happens when the pin misses the 5th wheel and instead lands in front of the plate). You can tug on it, and it will feel the same, but might not register until you get out to confirm a secure hook.
     
  8. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    Hi A Bug, before hooking up, I always got out and checked to make sure the trailer wasn't too high (the dreaded "high hook"), and give 'er heck when backing under the trailer. BAM!! (don't worry, the pin will stop you)( I've never had a pin break) I always did the "tug test" twice, once when hooking and after I cranked up the dollies and started moving by pulling the trailer brakes (johnny bar) 5th wheels rarely break, and remember, they are designed to be hooked and when you pull the handle to disconnect is when they are spring loaded. BTW, the 1st "tug" after hooking, you shouldn't have to drag the dollies, just a quick tug.
     
  9. Jumbo

    Jumbo Road Train Member

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    Here is how I do it:

    1) Back into the trailer until I hear the pin click
    2) Get out and look to make sure the handle is in and the is no gap between plate and trailer
    3) Take my flash light and make sure that the jaws are around the pin and the lock is in place.
    4) Attach the air lines and light cord
    5) Push in the red button and turn the lights on for inspection
    6) Crank up the landing gear and do my walk around
    7) Before I leave I set the trailer brakes then do my tug test. Just put the truck in low pull against the trailer, you don't have to start in second and dump the clutch. I do 1,2,and 3 before hooking the cords in case something hasn't hooked properly you don't have to undo them to pull ahead and try again.
     
  10. ethos

    ethos Road Train Member

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    This is my routine. In my career I have hooked thousands of trailers and never had a problem but one time that second tug saved my career I think. It was snowing in Pittsburgh and I had been sitting Bob tail. I went to hook my trailer, lined up, checked height and hooked just like all the other times. I heard the click and I tugged once, I always tug hard, the second tug the trailer broke free. Obviously nothing happened other than it breaking free but scared me to death. You better believe I checked everything I could on that fifth wheel and I was nervous as heck the whole trip. Never had it happen again but I'm glad I tugged twice.
     
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  11. A Bug

    A Bug Heavy Load Member

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    Sounds like it would be a good idea to tug with all I got! Thanks guys.
     
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