Unlocking a fifth wheel that has accidentally tripped shut......

Yeah both, corse need a pretty big screwdriver for the 5th wheel....

 

I used a crowbar once for that situation. Some people here are confused, thinking the handle opens the jaws. It doesn't. It only unlocks them. Normally, theres a kingpin there, and pulling away from the trailer is what actually opens the jaws.

 

Best advice yet

 

Hindsight is 20 20, but you should never back under a trailer until you have ascertained that the trailer strike plate is actually ON the 5th wheel. If you can't see it GOAL (GET OUT AND LOOK). If this is done properly it will actually (lift) the trailer a bit making it very easy to raise the landing gear.

 

And what about trucks that don't have the option to dump the air bags?

 

Still leave it just high enough you can get out and the next truck gets in.

 

Different makes and models combined with different tire size will affect the drop hight, every time i haul our dry van with my tractor i have to drop it. And trust me, the other driver is not wasting time cranking it up extra high...