List of tools new drivers will need

Why do you need a 5th wheel pin puller? I never used it in my 5 years of driving. Each 5th wheel has a handle bar that you pull on. And by all means bent down and look in there. Maybe you will see it’s not couppled correctly.

 

When I was turning miles there were some tools that proved invaluable.

Dont get this stuff until after you actually get a truck. Your trainer may make you leave it behind if your training

-3# hammer (good for knocking tandem pins back)
-6" Vise Grips. They are great for crimping a leaky hose, or on the older trailers the tandem pin handle wouldnt stay unlocked.
-battery powered drill (at the time Makita was great, now its your choice). As well the charger. Also a screw driver handle when the batteries are dead.
-At one time NorthernTool sold a kit with everything under the sun quarter inch tools. From screw drivers to drills (if your mechanically inclined)
-Spare cab to trailer air lines
-A 100' air line with air chuck (locking with meter is preferred) to air up the under inflated tires. Use a glad hand connector off the cab.
-A $20 LED pocket light that you find at hardware stores. Takes 2 AA batteries. Clip it to your shirt and you have a hands free light.

Lastly a brain. Not everything that the driver manager is true. If you feel it is unsafe to roll, DONT! It is your life

 

Hence my post about vice grips. Just because your 5 years you havent seen something where the handle is missing doesnt mean you wont. (saying this politely)
I may not have turned as many lucky miles as you have. Yet I have seen some trashed trucks where not everything is pristine.

 

Ok, I see your point.
But again, it’s something you should take to the shop and get fixed. If the 5th wheel handle is missing it indicates that this part of the truck needs service. I wouldn’t haul with it. How do you know if the rest of the assembly is ingood service?

And btw. I drive my own truck, and would get it fixed if the handle broke off. The same would apply to a company truck, if you work for a company that something like this “happens” and you have to make up for it by having a specific tool, just ask yourself if this is the right placs to work at.

 

A good pocket knife. Spend the money, get yourself a benchmade or equivalent.

 

You will need a few glad hand washers....worn or cracked washers leak. Vaseline to help seal worn glad hand washers.
A cage bolt and box end wrench to fit it. Some mechanics take the spare cage bolt off the brake chamber pot......I found that out the hard way. Ask a mechanic for one, they will give it to you free, as that is how they got it.

Number 1 item:
An led light fitted to a headband.....gives you hands free to do whatever you need to do at night. And puts the light where your eyes are looking.

 

I agree. I wouldn’t buy a puller. I did, and never used it, because it would slip around on the 5thwheel handle. Better to just grab the handle.....it may need to be pulled up a bit, or pulled forward a bit. You can’t tell if you are using a puller. Depends on the fifth wheel.

I lost mine on the road somewhere...didn’t miss it.

 

It depends on what you’re doing, but one thing I’m picking up tomorrow is a decent pair of bypass wire cutters for cable seals.

 

As far as a fifth wheel puller, if you’re gonna stay at this for a number of years, save your back, and get the puller. You may come across that fifth wheel that’s a little on the stubborn side. It doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with it, it may just be the model. I’ve had fifth wheel handles that were easy enough to pull, with plenty of room, but I’ve had the stubborn ones and/or limited space to get my arm in.

 

Forgot the gloves and plastic sheeting!