Pushing a button to release trailer?

I had a couple Prostars with the 5th wheel release on the dash, don't really see the need for them seeing as you still have to unhook your air and electric lines and crank down the landing gear, if anything they were a pita when they were acting up with no real advantage, but maybe I'm missing something.

 

I use mine everytime. It is a labor and potential back injury saver. Also saves me from having a dirty back.

 

That button will release the jaws of your fifth wheel...The trailer brakes must be applied and I do believe the tractor brakes also have to be set....I have one in my truck and I used it a couple of times. You still have to get out and crank the landing gear and disconnect the airlines so you might as well just pull the lever on the fifth wheel while you are out there.

If I use it to disconnect mine will sometimes not lock the jaws on the kingpin when I reconnect, so I have to go push the handle in to makes sure it was locked....I just quit using it because just as easy to pull/push the release while I am hooking or unhooking.

I guess just a driver preference ,,use it if you like it or dont use it and do things the normal way.

 

I use mine everyday...... Well every day that I get to use one of our new volvos. Like previously stated the brakes have to be applied for it to work.

 

Hi ethos, yep, trucks have had those for a while. If you look at your 5th wheel, you'll see an air cylinder that releases the trailer, just like pulling the handle. The brakes have to be set, hit the button, you'll hear a click, off you go. Yard spotters have had those for years ,as well. If I remember, they are kind of a high wear item, and a some of the trucks I drove that had those, they didn't work.

 

You are correct. I had 2 trucks with them. One was a knob you pulled and it retracted on its own. Another was a rocker switch and gave of an auditable buzz

 

That's what fifth wheel pullers are for so u don't have to reach under there and pull the handle.I won't drive trk without a puller.Of course the button is nice and so is the button to slide tandems.

 

Sorry pattyj, don't mean to sound chauvinistic, but real men don't use those buttons or pullers. Ya lay across the drives, bump your head on the trailer and give a yank,,,,,OH, MY BACK!!!(and my head)

 

Just another useless "tool" for the steering wheel holders.

 

An old "meat hook" makes a good puller.