Tug test is not a check for connection, it is a brake check

I hit it with break cleaner every 5th grease scrape too.

 

I don't have enough years to know much but my trainer who had 7 years told me he once was told by another driver that he'd been victim of that at a shipper. When my trainer and the witness went to the facility there was video of the perpetrator and that driver was banned from the facility.
I guess it really does happen although I can't fathom what sort of creature would even consider it.....

 

Also helps in winter in very cold climates where the jaws can close, but not latch due to too much grease and/or the wrong grease.

 

When I first started driving hauling milk I was issued a 2 year old 680 KW that had a pos fifth wheel.

Thing gave me fits one day after doing the visual and than did a tug and it came loose.

Pulled out from under it and one of the experienced driver, mechanics pried it open and shut.

Backed under and appeared to be locked and rugged and it came loosed again after the handle went in.

Took it back to our garage and they pressure washed it and used the fifth wheel simulated tool on it and it all seemed fine.

2 hookups later it acted up agin and would not lock

Boss heard me complaining and issued me a new truck and sent the KW back to KW as it was a lease truck.

Nothing good about a fifth wheel you can’t trust. .

 

If I had my way, An additional air valve would be in the system, positioned near the 5th wheel, so the valve would have to be opened before the air release would function. Just as a second security item.

 

My favourite style of fifth wheel except with grease on it . It’s so easy to check pin every time you get in truck. As long as you did a tug test checked jaws and pin is against fifth wheel it’s going nowhere so checking pin every stop verifies nobody pulled lever.

 

Yes and no
You can see if it’s locked but that’s not 100%
A pull should give you another layer of comfort but a heavy trailer may not move under that test but rather fall off down the road

I look at is as just another check point

 

Im not sure guys are doing this on purpose every time
Maybe on occasion but all of them??

Im leaning on just oversight

 

I've never once not checked it. And everytime the truck is out of my sight, I check it again. Rest stop bathroom, fuel receipt, whatever.

I've heard the trailer can sometimes follow you a bit even if someone released it. I'm not trying to kill anyone, or cause a spectacle.