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Recurring coupling problem.

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by ethos, Sep 20, 2013.

  1. Sep 20, 2013 #1
    ethos

    ethos Road Train Member

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    I hope you guys can see this gap. Ever since I got this new truck I have had this problem every once in a while. The trailer is not high hooked. There is nothing on the plate but grease. It is always on this side. Gap remains no matter what surface I am on. The gap also remains if I drive around and park somewhere else. Also the jaws are around the kingpin. It is fully locked into place but the gap remains. You can actually watch the trailer go up into the plate and then, well start to pick up. Not every trailer does this and it never happens loaded. In short, I hook the same way every time, I have hooked thousands of trailers and I have never screwed one up. Any ideas?

    Also, I unhooked and re-hooked twice, no change.
     

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    ethos, Sep 20, 2013
    ethos, Sep 20, 2013
    #1
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  3. Sep 20, 2013 #2
    sharp.dressed.man

    sharp.dressed.man Heavy Load Member

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    If it happens with every trailer could it be that the fifth wheel plate is a little bent or warped? Maybe some fool pulled out without putting the landing gear down and it hit hard enough to put a little dip in the plate.
     
    sharp.dressed.man, Sep 20, 2013
    sharp.dressed.man, Sep 20, 2013
    #2
  4. Sep 20, 2013 #3
    bubbanbrenda

    bubbanbrenda Road Train Member

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    It looks like it touching in the front but I can't see the back, if is touching in the back and front but not the middle I would say the pick-up plate or fifth wheel plate is bent/worn. If changing trailer doesn't change anything it has to be the fifth wheel.
     
    bubbanbrenda, Sep 20, 2013
    bubbanbrenda, Sep 20, 2013
    #3
  5. Sep 20, 2013 #4
    ethos

    ethos Road Train Member

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    Yeah not every trailer does this, so you're thinking trailer? Have you seen this before?
    It's pretty much the entire right side except the back that has a gap.
     
    ethos, Sep 20, 2013
    ethos, Sep 20, 2013
    #4
  7. Sep 20, 2013 #5
    Big Don

    Big Don "Old Fart"

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    Big Don, Sep 20, 2013
    Big Don, Sep 20, 2013
    #5
    ethos Thanks this.
  8. Sep 21, 2013 #6
    bubbanbrenda

    bubbanbrenda Road Train Member

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    Yes, if changing trailers changes results has to be trailer, I have only seen it a couple of times with my own eyes but has always been bent/worn king-pin apron.
     
    bubbanbrenda, Sep 21, 2013
    bubbanbrenda, Sep 21, 2013
    #6
  9. Sep 21, 2013 #7
    ethos

    ethos Road Train Member

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    Would the wear be visible to the eye you think? I am going to drop it again later and check again. I really want to get this solved.
     
    ethos, Sep 21, 2013
    ethos, Sep 21, 2013
    #7
  10. Sep 21, 2013 #8
    okiedokie

    okiedokie Road Train Member

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    Check the top of the 5th wheel plate for wear. Around the edges. Might been galded. It should be visable after removing the grease. Also get a straight edge on it.
     
    okiedokie, Sep 21, 2013
    okiedokie, Sep 21, 2013
    #8
    CondoCruiser Thanks this.
  11. Sep 21, 2013 #9
    CondoCruiser

    CondoCruiser The Legend

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    That's what I would do. Scrape the grease off with a putty knife and put a known straight edge to her. Something like a framing square would work. Check it up, down and diagonally. Then you'll know for sure.

    There might be a design modification where it locks the kingpin and it is holding the trailer up at that point and the trailer leans to the plate on one side. Check the locking jaws and connecting rods real good. You might see evidence of it riding high.

    If it's under warranty demand a new fifth wheel or fix it. It definitely isn't right if the weight isn't being distributed evenly and deserves attention from the dealer. No TA or company shop would give it much thought. Factory workers go to lunch and forget where they were at or come in hung over. :)

    Does how you hook make a difference? Like lifting a trailer up versus an even height hook? Maybe lift a trailer up with the fifth wheel and hold short of hooking. See how it sits without the kingpin near it. Then hook and see if it changes. That might help narrow it down to the jaw area.
     
    CondoCruiser, Sep 21, 2013
    CondoCruiser, Sep 21, 2013
    #9
  12. Sep 22, 2013 #10
    ethos

    ethos Road Train Member

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    I rarely even height hook and yes you can actually see it ride up and watch the right side come up. It's almost like it's defying gravity or something. If I climb up on the trailer when it's like that it will start moving side to side pretty good.

    I am going to write this up when I get back to the shop, it makes me nervous.
     
    ethos, Sep 22, 2013
    ethos, Sep 22, 2013
    #10
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