Landing gear

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Commuter69, Jul 4, 2016.

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  1. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

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    I notice you didn't deal with the information, but want to discuss the personality of the person in the video. It was simply the first video I found showing the proper height to drop a trailer.
     
    tscottme, Jul 7, 2016
    #61
  2. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

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    Because when you back under thee trailer dropped at the proper height the 5th wheel slides and pivots from the tilted (rear-down) to the level position. That's the goal of proper trailer drop height, it's not voodoo magic or trick photography.

    The trailer nose is rounded and the 5th wheel plate is rounded/sloped to facillitate the 5th wheel raising the trailer and taking ALL THE WEIGHT OFF THE LANDING GEAR.
     
    tscottme, Jul 7, 2016
    #62
  3. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    I did that in posts 51 and 59.

    There's enough baloney in that video for any driver worth his salt to keep Oscar Mayer in business for a year.
     
    MACK E-6, Jul 7, 2016
    #63
  4. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

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    "The Dummies" you are talking about were cranking the gear in the low-range, small movement of leg height for each turn of the gear handle. In the high range, big change in gear length for each turn of gear handle, the handle is all but unmovable when all the weight is resting on the gear legs. This is why it's so important to leave trailer at a height above the tires, but below the 5th wheel so backing under with a tractor transfers the trailer/freight weight UP onto the 5th wheel.

    I myself have had the gear handle snap back and narrowly miss breaking my arm while in low range numerous times when I'm trying to fix stubborn and ignorant previous driver's dropping of the trailer. When the trailer is too high or too low, it's difficult to crank the gear up or down because ALL the weight of trailer and freight is on the landing gear leg and transmitted through the gear mechanism.
     
    tscottme, Jul 7, 2016
    #64
  5. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    Hogwash.

    The back of that fifth wheel won't low enough enough due to the plates it's sitting on.

    Ditto.

    The bottom of the trailer nose is a 90 degree corner. People dropping their trailers just above the drive tires is pure laziness.

    Furthermore, if drivers if inspect their couplings like they're supposed to, the phenomena known as "high hook" would be a non-issue and this discussion would be moot. The blame needs to be placed elsewhere.
     
    MACK E-6, Jul 7, 2016
    #65
  6. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

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    His video shows and describes EXACTLY what I see and have done daily for almost 20 years. The fact the driver making the video is someone you or some others here have had heated arguments is a coincidence. How many times last week did you hook to a trailer dropped too low? How many times too high?
     
    tscottme, Jul 7, 2016
    #66
  7. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    Never, because I'm smart enough not to do that. :p
     
    MACK E-6, Jul 7, 2016
    #67
  8. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

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    Yes, every driver I've witnessed and coached about their trailer being dropped too high says the Real Problem is too low, although that happens almost, but not quite, never.

    I promise you I and others have been able to slide under trailers dropped just above the top of the drive tires. The trailer nose is built with a bull-nose bottom corner just for sliding up onto the 5th wheel. The 5th wheel is made with a slope and rounded end to slide under the trailer nose.
     
    tscottme, Jul 7, 2016
    #68
  9. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

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    The height of the next trailer you pick up is determined by the driver that dropped it, not the driver that is picking up, right?
     
    tscottme, Jul 7, 2016
    #69
  10. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    Not ALL trailers, and certainly not THAT one. Not all trailers are created equal.

    Sure, it's easier to get under a trailer that's dropped on the low side and still get a proper pin latch just because it's less work, but then you have the problem with it wiping all the grease off. I'm not having that.

    I raise mine to the point of just barely seeing daylight between the fifth wheel and the trailer, and never had a high hook yet. Also, I know the sound of a good pin latch, and get out and look up inside to make sure, unlike some of the lazier retreads among us.
     
    MACK E-6, Jul 7, 2016
    #70
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