Kingpin question

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by bergy, Nov 12, 2013.

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  1. Nov 12, 2013 #1
    bergy

    bergy Road Train Member

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    Can someone please explain what the kingpin dimension is referring to. If I see 30" kingpin - is that 30" from the kingpin to the front of the trailer?

    I really tried to find this out first, but couldn't.

    Thanks
     
    bergy, Nov 12, 2013
    bergy, Nov 12, 2013
    #1
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  3. Nov 12, 2013 #2
    capthook

    capthook Light Load Member

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    Yup, from center of kingpin to front of trailer.
    most are 36 inch.
     
    capthook, Nov 12, 2013
    capthook, Nov 12, 2013
    #2
    bergy Thanks this.
  4. Nov 13, 2013 #3
    bergy

    bergy Road Train Member

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    Wow, I guessed right - does anyone else want to call me a genius, or do I have to do it myself - lol.


    Thank you capthook
     
    bergy, Nov 13, 2013
    bergy, Nov 13, 2013
    #3
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  5. Nov 13, 2013 #4
    VegasBiker

    VegasBiker Light Load Member

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    OK I'll bite... Your a genius!
     
    VegasBiker, Nov 13, 2013
    VegasBiker, Nov 13, 2013
    #4
    bergy and GITRDUN45 Thank this.
  7. Nov 13, 2013 #5
    deskdriver

    deskdriver Light Load Member

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    Careful, "knowing it all" in trucking can get you in trouble fast :biggrin_2554:
     
    deskdriver, Nov 13, 2013
    deskdriver, Nov 13, 2013
    #5
  8. Nov 13, 2013 #6
    bergy

    bergy Road Train Member

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    Well, I will freely admit that I know almost nothing, so I suppose that means I'll get in trouble slowly?
     
    bergy, Nov 13, 2013
    bergy, Nov 13, 2013
    #6
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  9. Nov 13, 2013 #7
    flyingmusician

    flyingmusician Road Train Member

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    oh no lol when ( if ) ( hopefully not ) it happens it'll be almost always be immediate. Things happen in the blink of an eye out here. You very rarely ever get in trouble slowly lol

    having said that, patience and not getting in a hurry will keep you OUT of trouble most of the time.
     
    flyingmusician, Nov 13, 2013
    flyingmusician, Nov 13, 2013
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    capthook Thanks this.
  10. Nov 13, 2013 #8
    bergy

    bergy Road Train Member

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    Followup question - So, most 5th wheels are adjustable right? So, why wouldn't you want the smallest kingpin dimension? Then if you wanted trailer closer to cab, you could just move the 5th wheel, but you would at least have the option of having trailer pushed all the way back.

    I know there must be a flaw in my logic - does it have to do with weight distribution?
     
    bergy, Nov 13, 2013
    bergy, Nov 13, 2013
    #8
  11. Nov 13, 2013 #9
    rocknroll81

    rocknroll81 Road Train Member

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    Companies will spec there equipment a certain way along with tractor wheel base, and if your pulling a reefer or not, there are a lot of factors out there, if your king pin is real close to the nose of the trailer and depending were your 5th wheel is, you could tear your mud flaps off when you do a turn, some chassis for hauling containers are like that......
     
    rocknroll81, Nov 13, 2013
    rocknroll81, Nov 13, 2013
    #9
    bergy Thanks this.
  12. Nov 13, 2013 #10
    Mountain Hummingbird

    Mountain Hummingbird Medium Load Member

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    The ability to slide your 5th has nothing to do with getting your trailer closer to your cab, but has everything to do with adjusting your front axle weight 12000 lbs. Usually required when some mental midget at a shipper doesnt know how to properly load a trailer.
     
    Mountain Hummingbird, Nov 13, 2013
    Mountain Hummingbird, Nov 13, 2013
    #10
    bergy Thanks this.
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