Trailer unhitched on the interstate

No, the kingpin is inside the fifth wheel, but the indentation isn't down as far as it needs to be. So it will close the jaws, but it's not locked on correctly. The trailer can now move up and out, or even just out whenever it feels like it.

Easiest way to prevent a high hook is to verify you're lifting the trailer when you back under it. Then get out and see the plates are mated, and the jaw is actually locked around the pin.

If I uncouple and leave my trailer a few days, the bags will deflate. That causes the rear to drop. Then the trailer pivots on the landing gear and raises the nose. So if I don't see it lift the trailer when I back under it, I just pull right back out and lower it. I don't even bother coupling. I want to see that truck bring the landing gear off the ground at least a little bit.

 

If I did that, the picture would’ve caught me out there cranking the #### out of the landing gear; not just sitting in a traffic lane doing nothing.

 

A lot of times the cops want you to wait until they can cone off the area or divert traffic before you start running around outside the truck.

 

Being the idiot blocking a major traffic lane is the bigger deal. No cop would say a thing about clearing the issue ASAP. And, if I can get my junk hooked up and out of there before they arrive, all the better.

 

Ok thanks for the explanation!!
That makes much more sense of how it could happen.
But will it sit down flush to the fifth wheel or will it be sitting up a bit?
I’m wondering if it would be visibly noticeable if the driver got out and looked or would it appear to be hooked correctly upon visual inspection??

I’ve backed completely over my fifth wheel many times especially when I first started pulling lowboys (not checking the neck height before backing in).
But I don’t believe I’ve ever high hooked one or I don’t think I have lol

 

Up a bit. Might be hard to tell on the front of the fifth wheel, but it's visibly noticable.