Sliding 5th wheel: Why do some drivers ride with the 5th Wheel so far back?

Are they putting ramps on the back of the tractors yet?

 

Not en masse no. And even our recovery trucks that regularly pull RGNs are usually a FB tractor just like the rest with "recovery team" painted over the top of both doors.

I've seen only one or two that I'd recall, one was a 4 axel day cab I spoted in salt lake. But the rest of our meager 4 axel tractor fleet are meant for pulling heavy vans for Costco anyway.

If they end up going that route it'll probably be on a few dedicated tractors. But I don't think it's immediately In the cards at this time. All the newest trailers are all stepdecks thats been coming in. Maybe a few new skates ive seen. But all the latest tractors have yet to add ramps. And I heard they are putting the double drops on hold after we had someone get crushed by a load of glass. One sitting up in SLC right now just collecting dust over that.

 

Whats the fifth wheel skid plate normal position for a 2018 freightliner cascadia?

 

There isnt really a normal.

Depends on what your pulling. And how its speced, not all sliders are the same.

If your weight is ok and your tractor clears your trailer or load, your fine.

 

Depends on pin setting, type of trailer and the weight you are hauling. I drove a 4 axle tractor to some times do heavy haul. When pulling a standard 2 axle trailer ( no drop axle use on the truck) My fifth whee was about 1/3 of the way back from the front of the slide. The 2 axle trailers had a 36" pin setting, the 53', 4 axle trailers had a 12" pin setting and to achieve 105,500 gross weight, my firth-wheel had to be slid almost all the way back. Wheel base of the tractor comes into play also.