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Hooking up (5th Wheel Questions)

Discussion in 'Storage Trailer' started by xkmail, Jan 16, 2006.

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  1. Jan 16, 2006 #1
    xkmail

    xkmail Bobtail Member

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    Jan 14, 2006
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    Just one of those things they get real vague about, we only did it once.
    Drive truck back to tractor.
    Set tractor pop out brake.
    Hook up emergency line charge trailer brakes if unsure trailer has spring brakes (PS> Make sure trailer tanks are closed)
    Set 5th wheel lever to auto.
    back it up, watch lever lock in.
    hook up service line, go to work.

    Unhooking:
    set tractor brake pop-out
    roll down landing gear, one extra turn after hits ground snug
    chock trailer or of has spring brakes skip
    release emerg and service lines.
    pull out sowly.

    I am jsut unsure that once the red trailer popout is pushed in doesn't that kick air to the trailer?
    Correct me if I'm wrong.
     
    xkmail, Jan 16, 2006
    xkmail, Jan 16, 2006
    #1
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  3. Jan 16, 2006 #2
    MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    Yes, it does. The red knob pushed in sends air out the emergency line (Red glad hand).

    It would be presumptuous on my part to downplay the way you were taught, but for hooking up this is what I do.

    Back under trailer - with window rolled down listening for the latch of the fifth wheel.

    Connect both glad hands and plug in electric line.

    Wind up landing gear

    While under trailer, look up towards fifth wheel to see locking jaws secured around the kingpin- this usually requires a flashlight.

    Perform pre-trip inspection and you're ready to go.
     
    MACK E-6, Jan 16, 2006
    MACK E-6, Jan 16, 2006
    #2
  4. Jan 16, 2006 #3
    xkmail

    xkmail Bobtail Member

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    Jan 14, 2006
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    So its pretty simple then.
    Put 5th wheel lever in auto position
    back under trailer and connect 5th wheel king pin.
    set tractor brakes popout
    connect air/electric line
    Release tractor brake, go trucking

    Unhook:
    stop, set tractor brake
    set landing gear, unhook air lines and electric.
    pull out 5th wheel lever.
    pull out slowly

    COrrect?
    Unfortunately this was part of another post, but i hit post new topic instead of post reply so this one skipped around a little.
    But thanks for the help.
     
    xkmail, Jan 16, 2006
    xkmail, Jan 16, 2006
    #3
  5. Jan 16, 2006 #4
    PortlandDriver

    PortlandDriver RIP, May You Be Heaventown Bound!

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    Not trying to confuse you but what is this? The trucks that I have driven have a release on the dash to slide the fifthwheel, if you release the fifthweel while hooking to the trailer you might find the nose of the trailer in the sleeper.

    It almost sounds to me that you are refering to the air suspention of the tractor and the dash valve to drop the suspension. If you have a chance take a look at the valve it should be labeled.
     
    PortlandDriver, Jan 16, 2006
    PortlandDriver, Jan 16, 2006
    #4
  7. Jan 16, 2006 #5
    Jarlaxle

    Jarlaxle "Bregan D'Aerthe"

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    Jan 15, 2006
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    Hmm...all I can think of is the release lever on the 5th wheel has an "auto" position so the jaws will automatically lock closed when the kingpin is all the way in. Never seen opne actually MARKED this way, but I can see it being done.

    And thank you--the visual of trying to hook up with the 5th wheel not locked in place is amusing. :)
     
    Jarlaxle, Jan 16, 2006
    Jarlaxle, Jan 16, 2006
    #5
  8. Jan 16, 2006 #6
    xkmail

    xkmail Bobtail Member

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    Jan 14, 2006
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    Its the black bar that opens and closes the 5th wheel around the kingpin.
    You open it when you want to unhook and place it in auto or open so that when you back up the tractor into the kingpin of the trailer it "automatically" closes.
    Its a goofy worded dmv thing in california.
    yes, I know what a suspension uncouple switch on the dash is.
    thanks, kevin
    PS> Portland driver-yes trucks have a 5th wheel slider switch on the dash to move the 5th wheel to adjsut the rear tractor axle weight etc, no i wasn't referring to that. However in cdl school our 5th wheels were fixed by bolts not auto sliders
     
    xkmail, Jan 16, 2006
    xkmail, Jan 16, 2006
    #6
  9. Jan 16, 2006 #7
    themlilboots

    themlilboots Heavy Load Member

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    Portland; I thought he was talking about dropping the air before he backed under the trailer also.
     
    themlilboots, Jan 16, 2006
    themlilboots, Jan 16, 2006
    #7
  10. Jan 16, 2006 #8
    PortlandDriver

    PortlandDriver RIP, May You Be Heaventown Bound!

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    May 30, 2005
    Pacific Northwest
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    I have always called this the king pin release. Leave it up to people that never been in a truck make up the rules and normaclature for the driver.
     
    PortlandDriver, Jan 16, 2006
    PortlandDriver, Jan 16, 2006
    #8
  11. Jan 16, 2006 #9
    xkmail

    xkmail Bobtail Member

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    Jan 14, 2006
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    Some start from the head, some from the tail, there's always two ways to skin a cat.
    kevin
    From Page 77 of the california dmv cdl manual:
    the fifth-wheel should be tilted down
    towards the rear of the tractor with the jaws
    open and the safety unlocking handle in the
    automatic lock position.


    See, I'm not on drugs.
     
    xkmail, Jan 16, 2006
    xkmail, Jan 16, 2006
    #9
  12. Jan 17, 2006 #10
    themlilboots

    themlilboots Heavy Load Member

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    USXpress had the kingpin release switch on the dash. If it wouldn't have been for the landing gear, you almost didn't have to get out of the truck. LOL!
     
    themlilboots, Jan 17, 2006
    themlilboots, Jan 17, 2006
    #10
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