Simple question from a new driver - 5th wheel grease and winter

there is an experienced independent contractor on my fleet who leaves his 5th wheel almost dry in the winter because it helps keep the trailer behind him while driving on the snow and ice, he claims the lack of grease adds friction which helps prevent the trailer from fishtailing and jackknifing, any thoughts on this practice?

 

NEVER do this, the fifthwheel must be lubricated if you want to safely negotiate a curve.

 

I agree. A dry 5th wheel will cause binding and actually be worse in slippery weather. Sounds like someone is too lazy to grease the 5th wheel.

 

[QUOTE="semi" retired;4449768]I used to put some grease on a small piece of cardboard (or wide putty knife) and schmear it on the plate of the trailer, around the pin. I always thought that was dumb to put it on the 5th wheel and have it scrapped off when backing under the trailer, and have a big glob of grease on the deck plate.[/QUOTE]

I used to do this back before air ride became popular, it was so much easier than cranking the trailer up above the fifthwheel then cranking it down.

 

You got plenty of help with your question,, but I have a great suggestion on what to do with the excess that rolls off the side.

Next time you're behind someone parked at a fuel island and clogging it up for a ridiculous amount of time.. Put on an old pair of gloves , grab a nice golf ball sized glob of grease from the side of your 5th wheel. Then nonchalantly walk up to their driver door, knock on the door with your left hand while spreading the grease under their door handle with the other. Block the camera view and rat fink view with your back right shoulder while applying grease with your right hand. Go back to your truck, have a seat, and when they waddle back to their truck with their big bag of McD's, prepare to be well entertained.

 

Amazing.

We have trucks with radar, SmartCruise, automatic trannies and so much technology they practically drive themselves.

We have supercomputers in our pockets.

We can land a spaceship on a freaking comet.

And we're still throwing grease on 5th wheels. Can't come up with anything better than that.

 

I'm sure there are much better performing anti-friction lubricants out there, but until they become as cheap as petroleum grease, or some of the synthetics carriers will continue to buy the cheap stuff. Well I should say the "cheaper" stuff. Grease its self isn't actually that cheap to begin with.

 

Hi GP, actually, years ago Schneider had an air operated self greaser system that had lines going to the 5th wheel and suspension points. I think it made more of a mess than anything.

 

Its a good way to get yourself into a jackknife... agree with the other poster. This is a really stupid thing to do.

 

I'm a man who hates wastefulness. ...I love this idea.