Why you should always check your fifth wheel.

This may have been mentioned before but I will say it just in case. I have been taught to always duck under the truck and look at the jaws to make sure they are around the shank of the kindpin and not the head. I was told there is a VERY VERY rare incident that can occur where the jaws lock onto the head of the kingpin and a "tug test" will show (or make you think) you are locked; however, when you make a sharp enough turn or get up to enough speed the trailer will slip off

 

I didnt read this entire thread but will admit that i have dropped a trailer once. It was last year during winter, I was working as a city P and D driver. I hooked a tri axle trailer loaded with beer. This is in canada so a tridem is around 115,000 lbs gross weight fully loaded and this sucker was definately fully loaded. Well anyway I pinned it in the yard, did a tug test, checked the jaws with a flashlight and it still dropped off when i turned sharp as I pulled out of the slot. I am allways anticipating this exact thing happening in the extreme cold of canadian winters as it can sometimes seem all good but still hasnt fully locked up in the mech of the 5th wheel. I managed to stop just in time to catch it on the drive tires of the rear axle. It still needed some strenous winding of the lading gear to get it up to re-hook it! Even when you think its all good just make a real slow but tight "S" turn as your pull away and be ready to hit the brakes if you feel it coming off. Open your drivers window as you will hear it as it lets go as well. Just a tip but its something i learned the hard way!

 

Almost lost one, years back . Scrap company I used to work for, had in ground docks. Pulled out did a uturn , pulled up on above ground scales, pulled off scales , did second u turn, drove back to scale office to get bills. Stopped with trailer brakes. Started off going through gears toward gate , and saw trailer going right. Pushed in clutch and let both truck and trailer coast to a stop. Trailer was about 18 inches off center when I stopped. Was thinking if I braked the pin may miss the fifth wheel and come up in cab.

 

Well you need to remember that forklift on the back is acting like a 6000lb counterweight. The weight on the landing gear is going to be lighter than normal.

 

I pointed the counter balance out about 5 pages a go. Guess great minds think alike?

 

I don't know about my mind being great. I just know the forklift makes the trailer light on the nose when its empty because I used to drive one. It always made for fun adventures in the rain and on the ice and snow when you were empty.

 

Tug test is not enough you got to visually look, you can drive miles on a high hook it won't pop out til you hit a hard bump. My old flatbed company made us look at the locking jaws, if they caught you not doing that in the yard you would get written up. They had a driver drive 250 miles and luckily found it before something bad happen. I look at the locking jaws all the time and plate to trailer before I move just as a habit. It's not hard and takes a second and a little bending to look.

 

In for home. Cant see vid on fone

 

When I hook up I always do the tug test as well as making sure the jaws are locked.Awhile back a driver leaving tyson did'nt check to make sure his trl is hooked and the trl dropped right there.Cost him a pretty penny to have the wrecker come help him.But thank god it was there in the lot rather then on the highway.

 

Case in point, I saw a driver (I won't say the name of his company) but he was trying to hook up next to me as I was making my checks, I could see he was getting frustrated because his jaw would not lock, I walked over after he had backed under about 5 or 6 times, I asked if I could help and he got out and said go ahead, I told him I was not going to do the driving, but I would watch and see the problem, he got back in and as he backed up, from a visual stand point it looked good, I had him stop and we got out my flashlight and crawled under, sure enough it was around the head of the king pin, I am truly glad it didn't lock the first time, could have been disastrous for him, his company and any poor 4 wheeler that may have been around. He made me a promise to get out and visually check from this point on....I hope he keeps his word.