jumped the fifth wheel

I can honestly say I've never done that. But I helped a guy that had. Even looking in your mirrors this problem could have been avoided.

 

This type of thing happens to me at least once a week.Before backing completely under it lok to make sure the king pin is line up with the fifth wheel.Don't call anyone to come out unless you plan on paying for it.This type of thing,companies will charge you.Whenever you need help with anything,see if another driver is around.

 

Best advise ever!!!! No paranoia needed just look. It happens never high hooked a trailer but I have had almost taken out a headache rack due to 5th wheel position. Going from a 22" kingpin to a 30" pin sucks.

 

You will make them all at some point! When you start making them the second time ...

 

What gets many in trouble is they dump their bags while dropping trailer A, then forget to re-inflate before backing under trailer B. Truck mfgr's should put a "beeper" for when the bags are deflated. The little dash light doesn't get a lot of notice while you're running around a drop yard.

 

That was the dumbest rookie thing I ever did. I dumped my trailer (empty, thank God) one night after a long run coming back into the yard. For whatever reason I did everything right ... except lower the landing gear. Pulled out and BAM! Trailer went down, bounced off my truck. Good thing it was empty and good thing it was the crank type. Just had to crank 'er back up. Now I remember "LAP": Landing gear, air, pin.

 

Never back in at an angle. It might be time consuming to get straight but you should.

 

True, if backing in at a significant angle it may have been more an issue of missing the 5th wheel opening then a height issue. It's hard to judge the trailer's kingpin in relation to where your 5th wheel opening is when approaching at an angle even for the most experienced. There you absolutely have to stop [in time] to look at the situation before continuing, and you may have to get out and look a half dozen times before you can safely "push back" into the jaws knowing it's going to go as it's supposed to go.

 

Try dropping airbags 1st this might work then go from there