Fifth wheel

Discussion in 'Trucking Industry Regulations' started by sifikllc, Dec 26, 2012.

  1. Dec 26, 2012 #1
    sifikllc

    sifikllc Bobtail Member

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    Dec 20, 2012
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    Hello to all,

    This question is directed to DOT inspectors and officers.

    On an uncoupled (bobtailed) tractor, how do you check the fifth wheel slide, pivot, and half movement to ensure that they are withing the allowable limits?

    Thank you.
     
    sifikllc, Dec 26, 2012
    sifikllc, Dec 26, 2012
    #1
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  3. Dec 26, 2012 #2
    Scalemaster

    Scalemaster Heavy Load Member

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    Can you check movement between upper and lower fifth wheel without an upper half? I haven't figured out how yet.
     
    Scalemaster, Dec 26, 2012
    Scalemaster, Dec 26, 2012
    #2
  4. Dec 26, 2012 #3
    sifikllc

    sifikllc Bobtail Member

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    Dec 20, 2012
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    scalemaster,

    that's exactly the point of my question. if it is a required inspection point in an annual vehicle inspection, how does an inspector inspect movement between halves on an uncoupled tractor and check off or "x" off "fifth wheels" on the form, and then put his/her name on the form a completed?

    As an inspector, I have my method to inspect these points.

    but I am eager to learn how other inspectors and officers perform these checks.

    thanks again.
     
    sifikllc, Dec 26, 2012
    sifikllc, Dec 26, 2012
    #3
  5. Dec 26, 2012 #4
    Scalemaster

    Scalemaster Heavy Load Member

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    About the only thing they, or I, can do with a bobtail is to inspect for cracks in the fifth wheel assembly, or loose or missing fasteners or stops. You can inspect the locking mechanism for damage or wear, but you can't measure fifth wheel slop until you put a kingpin in there and apply forward and rearward pressure.

    This is similar to the question I have had after years of inspecting trucks immediately after they passed their annual inspection, where someone has checked off the item and signed the form, then I find it falling apart on my scale and end up putting it out of service. I don't think some of them even look.
     
    Scalemaster, Dec 26, 2012
    Scalemaster, Dec 26, 2012
    #4
  7. Dec 26, 2012 #5
    sifikllc

    sifikllc Bobtail Member

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    Dec 20, 2012
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    Thanks for your reply scalemaster. I take it that you are a DOT officer.

    Thanks again for your feedback.

    It seems that there would be a lot of liability on an DOT inspector if he/she signed off on a report and did not inspect the fifth wheel as per appendix g.
     
    sifikllc, Dec 26, 2012
    sifikllc, Dec 26, 2012
    #5
  8. Dec 27, 2012 #6
    ZVar

    ZVar Road Train Member

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    At the shop I seen them use basically a steel plate with a kingpin bolted on that they (at the time) were using to make sure the lock was working. Would not something like that work to test it without a trailer attached?

    -Steven
     
    ZVar, Dec 27, 2012
    ZVar, Dec 27, 2012
    #6
  9. Dec 27, 2012 #7
    sifikllc

    sifikllc Bobtail Member

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    zvar, that's exactly what I use. I'm simply curious to know what others were using.
     
    sifikllc, Dec 27, 2012
    sifikllc, Dec 27, 2012
    #7
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