Hey Swift drivers, don't be lazy and inconsiderate....

What is with all this "Type A" crap?

I cant get away from it!

 

Back in the olden days of trucking, a driver just backed up enough to the trailer first to hook up his air and electric lines before coupling the 5th wheel. This was due to the fact the trailer did not have spring brakes. Backing under before charging the trailer brakes was dangerous; could push the trailer out of control careening into buildings, parked vehicles, people or other valuable property. This served a double purpose: while hooking up the air lines, one could also observe the 5th wheel height and adjust if necessary. At least that's how they did it 33 years ago....

I guess I'm in the 10%-- that's how we were taught right out of the California DMV Commercial Driver License Handbook. :

Step 1. Inspect the fifth-wheel

• For damaged or missing parts.
• To see that mounting to tractor is secure, no cracks in frame, etc.
• To see that the fifth-wheel plate is completely greased. Failure to keep the fifth-wheel plate lubricated could cause steering problems because of friction between the tractor and trailer.
• To see that the fifth-wheel is in proper position for coupling.
  • the fifth-wheel should be tilted down towards the rear of the tractor with the jaws open and the safety unlocking handle in the automatic lock position.
• To see that the sliding fifth-wheel is locked.
• To see that the trailer kingpin is not bent or broken.

Step 4. Back slowly

• Until the fifth-wheel just touches the trailer.
• Do not hit the trailer.

Step 5. Secure the tractor

• Set the parking brake.
• Put the transmission in neutral.

Step 6. Check the trailer height

• The trailer should be low enough that it is raised slightly by the tractor when the tractor is backed under it. Raise or lower the trailer as needed.
• To see that the kingpin and fifth-wheel are aligned.

Step 7. Connect the air lines to the trailer

• Check glad hand seals and connect tractor emergency air line to trailer emergency glad hand.
• Check glad hand seals and connect tractor service air line to trailer service glad hand.
• Make sure air lines are safely supported where they won't be crushed or caught while tractor is backing under the trailer.

Step 8. Supply air to the trailer

• From the cab, push in the air supply knob or move tractor protection valve control from the "emergency" to the "normal" position to supply air to the trailer brake system.
• Wait until the air pressure is normal.
• Check brake system for crossed air lines:
  • shut engine off so you can hear the brakes.
  • apply and release trailer brakes and listen for sound of trailer brakes being applied and released. You should hear the brakes move when applied and air escape when the brakes are released.
  • check air brake system pressure gauge for signs of major air loss.
• When trailer brakes are working, start the engine.
• Air pressure must be up to normal.

Step 9. Lock the trailer brakes

• Pull out the air supply knob or move the tractor protection valve control from normal to emergency.

Step 10. Back under the trailer

• Use lowest reverse gear.
• Back tractor slowly under trailer to avoid hitting the kingpin.
• Stop when the kingpin is locked into the fifth-wheel.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/cdl_htm/sec6.htm#coupling

 

I am amazed at the level of stupid this thread has digressed to.

Is it really that hard when hooking a trailer to get out and see how high it is over your 5th wheel? is it really that hard? I mean really?

Perhaps it was because I was taught by an old schooler, but I was taught that you back up to where your frame is just under the trailer, then you get out and look at how tall the trailer is as compared to yours, then you adjust the trailer accordingly.

If some one thinks this is too much work, god forbid they try thier hand at flat bedding, I can only immagine the whining fit that would insue when they discover no one is going to tarp the load for them.

We are talking about the easiest of the easiest of trucking operations here, picking up a trailer, I know when I drop one I dump the air bags on the trailer, run the landing gear down to where they are just touching the ground, then I drop my air and pull out from under neath.

I saw it said that you should leave a few inches, this is wrong! Why? because if the surface you are dropping the trailer on is soft the landing gear may sink a few inches in, and thus who ever has to hook to the trailer next will have one heck of a time getting under it.

It is better to leave a trailer high than to leave it low because if you leave it high gravity is on your side.

 

its like training dogs mr beast--every once in awhile you get a dumb one that gets lost walking up the stairs

 

excellent point..

people, what ever happened to driving your own #### truck and not worrying about everybody else ?!?!?!?

 

my second good laugh today compliments of this thread.......thx

 

And every once in a while you find one that likes to eat its own feces...

 

Wow,this got wayyyyy off topic...lol...anyways how does everyone like there job at Swift,its on my list,since my list got smaller today after talking to a few companies..lol

 

I love working with Swift.

Especially since it seems to really irritate some people.

(Add) Also because Ms. Nana's on my team.