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Dropped Trailer??

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Platinum Blonde Skinhead, Apr 14, 2018.

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  1. Apr 14, 2018 #1
    Platinum Blonde Skinhead

    Platinum Blonde Skinhead Bobtail Member

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    Mar 18, 2018
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    The other night, I was leaving my company's yard and i turned the corner about 2 blocks down the road and the trailer came unhooked. Can anybody tell me what the heck happened? I know i didn't high hook the thing. the trailer was dropped fairly low and lifted up several inches when backing under it. it clicked, and i tug tested it. i checked the release handle and i swear to god it was in as far as it would go. i shined a light into the locking jaws and it looked to be locked all the way across. luckily, the trailer only had about 15K lbs in it and didn't break the landing gear. i managed to stop quick enough so it didn't rip the air lines or light cord off either. i got to spend about half an hour cranking the thing up in the pouring rain, which later that night would turn into snow. what a great way to start an already crappy night. it wasn't a very busy intersecition thank god, so it didn't create too big of a problem. if i had made it another couple blocks to the next corner, it would have came off in the middle of an intersection turning onto a 4 lane highway. i've been driving semi about 5 years and this is the first time anything like this has ever happened. i always check things before leaving, and it STILL happens. is there something wrong with the fifth wheel? it doesn't feel sloppy or anything like that. i'm a little scared to pull anything now, knowing it can come unhooked even after checking everything.
     
    Platinum Blonde Skinhead, Apr 14, 2018
    Platinum Blonde Skinhead, Apr 14, 2018
    #1
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  3. Apr 14, 2018 #2
    Bean Jr.

    Bean Jr. Road Train Member

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    Yes. The adjustment on the jaws was loose, and you went over a bump or in a hole that caused the pin to lift out of the jaws.
     
    Bean Jr., Apr 14, 2018
    Bean Jr., Apr 14, 2018
    #2
  4. Apr 15, 2018 #3
    Milr72

    Milr72 Medium Load Member

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    S W Missouri
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    Welcome to the "Dropped Trailer Club"! It has happened at least once to a lot of us. It makes us more aware of what can happen!
     
    Milr72, Apr 15, 2018
    Milr72, Apr 15, 2018
    #3
    truadvocate Thanks this.
  5. Apr 15, 2018 #4
    shogun

    shogun Road Train Member

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    Jan 23, 2009
    Doing a regen
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    Volvo had a recall I believe for the jaws coming loose. Our 2012-13 peterbilts with air release jaws also did that. One trailer came loose on the interstate, luckily it just went to the shoulder and stopped,
     
    shogun, Apr 15, 2018
    shogun, Apr 15, 2018
    #4
  7. Apr 15, 2018 #5
    Western flyer

    Western flyer Road Train Member

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    How do you fix that.
    That's not something You wait to get back to
    The yard to get fixed. Somebody can get killed
    If that trailer comes unhooked at highway speed.
     
    Western flyer, Apr 15, 2018
    Western flyer, Apr 15, 2018
    #5
    Bean Jr. Thanks this.
  8. Apr 15, 2018 #6
    Platinum Blonde Skinhead

    Platinum Blonde Skinhead Bobtail Member

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    Mar 18, 2018
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    i'm not exactly a 5th wheel expert, so you'll pardon my ignorance. but if the jaws are loose, doesn't that create the characteristic "fifth wheel slop"? i've driven trucks that you can feel the trailer banging around a little bit when shifting gears or taking off from a stop, but this truck definitely didn't have that. and if the pin did in fact bounce over the jaws (if that's how that actualy works), wouldn't the jaws still be locked after stopping? when i got out and looked, the handle was out and the jaws were open.
     
    Platinum Blonde Skinhead, Apr 15, 2018
    Platinum Blonde Skinhead, Apr 15, 2018
    #6
    tinytim Thanks this.
  9. Apr 15, 2018 #7
    GreenPete359

    GreenPete359 Road Train Member

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    Driving my recliner
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    You’re correct. Most likely an equipment defect. How long have you been in this particular truck? If it’s a new truck, or a new 5th wheel that could be the answer.

    One of the other O/O’s from the place i used to be leased to lost one on 95 in Florida, lucky it went into median and stopped no other vehicles involved. He asked the tow truck driver & he said he sees it more than you would think, and normally on older trucks. His truck is a ‘06 with well over a mill on it.
    He went straight to the dealer and had a new 5th wheel installed before he would touch another trailer.
     
    GreenPete359, Apr 15, 2018
    GreenPete359, Apr 15, 2018
    #7
  10. Apr 15, 2018 #9
    marnav1

    marnav1 Bobtail Member

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    Jul 26, 2012
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    I had one come off @ the North Platte Flying J. The air line did separate and it
    would not raise back up either. Found out later the 5th wheel had problems. About 15 trucks were blocked in, not fun.
     
    marnav1, Apr 15, 2018
    marnav1, Apr 15, 2018
    #9
  11. Apr 15, 2018 #9
    Bean Jr.

    Bean Jr. Road Train Member

    5,551
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    Mar 30, 2014
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    The jaws being loose happened to me. It dropped in the yard. Your problem is completely different than mine was. I certainly wouldn't hook up and pull another trailer until I know that the problem has been diagnosed and fixed. Good luck.
     
    Bean Jr., Apr 15, 2018
    Bean Jr., Apr 15, 2018
    #9
  12. Apr 15, 2018 #10
    x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

    34,016
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    Mar 5, 2016
    White County, Arkansas
    0
    Been there done that when one of mine flipped off coming off the tydings bridge sb on 95 into Maryland. (Above Havredegrace) That trailer actually stayed at relative speed long enough to come down onto the aft drive tires when then held it on as I yelled at my then newbie driver to touch nothing and let her run out on the uphill shoulder and so it did.

    Cranked it back up. Hooked on and that was that.

    I drag trailer tires when hooking them these days, check jaws, handle and so on. I usually park with pressure on that kingpin (Stretched) so no one will try to pull handle at lunch or something.

    Sloppy 5th wheels go to shop pronto. I don't listen to anyone who says run it anyway. I simply do not. Sometimes ive quit.

    I hate to say it but if it did come off it will do it when it's ready to a mind and do it. You can do what you can do and hope no one gets hurt or anything gets broken.
     
    x1Heavy, Apr 15, 2018
    x1Heavy, Apr 15, 2018
    #10
    Western flyer and Bean Jr. Thank this.
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