Importance of a well greased 5th wheel?

I won't disagree that a fifth wheel or any other friction point benefits from proper lubrication but that sounds a little like marketing fluff to me.

 

steer tires wear a lot better with a well-lubed 5th wheel

 

we don't lube our 5th wheels. they're designed to NOT need lube. don't know about the lock jaws though.

as for checking your lock jaw. a simple tug test well let you know.

 

First time I've heard this. How are they designed so that the metal on metal does not benefit from grease?

 

Back in 03 I drive for Jim palmer trucking, ended up getting a brand new peterbilt with the greaseless fifth wheel. However it was designed it worked great. I ended up putting 125,000 miles on that truck before I quit but the fifth was awesome the whole time I had the truck.

 

http://www.iowa80.com/DirectionsWEB...=04410&itemdesc=Fifth+Wheel+Teflon+Lube+Plate

 

double yellow - why is that? or is this one of those chain up the trailer tires things?

 

A binding fifth wheel means the steer tires have to not only turn the truck, but also force the trailer to articulate about the kingpin.


PS: we use drag chains out west to keep the trailer from passing us on icy descents.

 

the 5th wheels are teflon. as the above link posted.

i do, however, throw a couple of TA bags on once in awhile. keeps the thumping from a dead stop away. took me awhile to figure out the thumping was from a dry as a bone 5th wheel. every truck i've been in. i'm thinking the rear ends are coming loose.