Don't crank down landing gear all the way !! Please !!

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by WisconsinF150, Mar 19, 2016.

  1. Lonesome

    Lonesome Mr. Sarcasm

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    All our trucks are the same? Hmmmm....gotta ponder that bit of wisdom.
     
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  3. 25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    the road less travelled
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    Same make and model with the same tire size should have similar height 5th wheel. Worn virgin rubber versus new caps may have more than half an inch actual difference. Actual ride height has some tolerance and is to be measured at PMs. This is more for correct driveline angles than anything else, though.
     
    Dominick253 and Lonesome Thank this.
  4. crb

    crb Road Train Member

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    My trailer doesn't have a landing gear.
     
  5. win-some-loose-less

    win-some-loose-less Medium Load Member

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    All company trucks are same year, make, model at my job, so keep on pondering scooter and let me know what ya come up with.
     
  6. snowlauncher

    snowlauncher Road Train Member

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    I always leave an inch or two between the legs and the ground...Sometimes more if another driver b#tches about the way I do it...Really??? Does being a professional driver not include having to deal with things like this??? I say deal with it, quit crying about it and do your job man!!! BTW God bless you!
     
  7. Lonesome

    Lonesome Mr. Sarcasm

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    I'll do that, and thank you for your invitation, I won't forget it!.
     
    Last edited: Mar 30, 2016
  8. Pedigreed Bulldog

    Pedigreed Bulldog Road Train Member

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    Folks with your attitude who purposely drop trailers too low make me want to put an extra crank or two into 'em when I drop them for you.
     
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  9. maninthemoon1

    maninthemoon1 Medium Load Member

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    If the ground is sloped at your landing gear and 4 inches lower than your drives , naturally you have to crank them down further. It's when the trailer is taken to the dock loaded and placed on a pad that is actually a little higher than your wheels , I lower my air backs when the trailer is dropped high , and line the longest point of the 5th wheel up with the king pin. Set the king pin just to the rear of the 5th wheels pivot point 3 to 4 inches left of the locking jaw where it's actually up on the 5 wheel. Now fill the air bags. That should get enough wt off the landing gear to get it up 2 inches. You have to not bring the landing gear up too much , if you do when you drop the air bags the king pin will still be on the 5th wheel. Practice make perfect , you get the hang of it after a few times. If you can't get the wt. Off the landing gear this way , it's obviously dropped really high , go get a spotter.
     
  10. maninthemoon1

    maninthemoon1 Medium Load Member

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    When you dropped the trailer was it in the same exact location after being loaded and put back on the yard ? I ask because terrain differs and just 2 or 3 spots down can make a big difference especially in a gravel lot.
     
    Dominick253 Thanks this.
  11. snowlauncher

    snowlauncher Road Train Member

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    Hmmmm...ok then I guess I would have to maybe GET OUT the truck 1 extra time when coupling...Gee hope it doesn't kill me!!! Too late I died and went to trucker hell where all of the landing gear are too high when I hook.
     
    Dumdriver Thanks this.
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