Is it safe to pull the release handle while the landing gear still up?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by rolloverdude, Jun 28, 2019.

  1. 88228822

    88228822 Heavy Load Member

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    I use the same process as described by Londranger.

    The mega I drive for trained us to crank until the feet just touched the ground, then pull the release. An experienced driver pointed out to me that this is hard on the 5th wheel so now I keep turning until the air bags start hissing. Sometimes a decent amount of force is required so I am assuming the mega would rather have some fifth wheel wear than have new drivers get hurt and have to pay workman's comp or whatever.
     
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  3. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    1 Set trailer brakes
    2 Gently reverse truck to take pressure off 5th wheel lock
    3 Set truck brakes
    4 Lower landing gear till it touches the ground. NOT hissing suspension
    5 Disconnect lines and hoses. Yes, I have a hose also.
    6 Foot on brake. Truck in granny gear. Release brakes. Gently slide truck forward to clear lock. Lower suspension bags and pull forward.

    My 5th wheel is a P I T A as it likes to lock back up with any slightest movement.
    Hooking up other trailers. I've got the only truck in the fleet with 22 tires. I have to lower the trailer everyone else pulled. They have to raise the trailer I pulled.

    I like to slide my 5th wheel under trailer without touching trailer. I like to keep my grease on the plate. Most of you don't care and scrape the trailer sliding in or out. Scraping the grease off the plate. Making a mess of the trailer.

    Sucks for those of you that DON'T have suspension dumps. Once you pull out from trailer. All that pressure in the bags from having weight on it. Now don't have any weight. Causing the frame to jump up. Till the level valve releases air to lower the frame.
     
  4. I forgot what a fifth wheel release is to have to pull.
    last six years I've had automatic push button release on dash
     
  5. w.h.o

    w.h.o Road Train Member

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    I'm pretty sure all your videos are stage and paid actors or you are just lucky all the time
     
  6. Studebaker Hawk

    Studebaker Hawk Road Train Member

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    Every trailer manufacturer out there, and every 5th wheel manufacturer has on their website the exact proper procedure for this.
    Follow their recommendations and you cannot go wrong.
    How long has the trucking business been doing this? Like since 1930.
     
  7. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    HA.

    Try it one time. Drive away.

    Angry boss man will fire you.

    And you wonder why disgrungled people pull pins.

    You have to consider situations like that to be something that needs to be avoided at all costs.

    And then recognize and understand that you yourself is a danger to your self asking those kinds of tempting questions. The pin is there, it must be pulled. Can I pull it with landing gear up. Certainly. Once in your lifetime.

    Just don't. It's flat stupid. And costly.
     
    rolloverdude Thanks this.
  8. SoCalRed

    SoCalRed Medium Load Member

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    Perfectly safe until one day you forget to put the landing gear down and drive off.
    Whatever you do at least do it in the same order every time.
    I disconnect the lines, landing gear down, then I pull the release handle. Never pulled the lines or dropped a trailer taking these steps.
    Some do it differently. This way works for me.
     
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  9. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    I tend to hold on to the trailer, landing gear down then lines. Pin dead last.

    What I also do when parked is put pressure on that pin. So I'll take the pressure off with the tractor.

    Some things are just a hard habit. Do it long enough it's ingrained.
     
    rolloverdude Thanks this.
  10. Jwhis

    Jwhis Heavy Load Member

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    I do gear lines pin when dropping.
     
    rolloverdude Thanks this.
  11. Sdecker85

    Sdecker85 Bobtail Member

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    Should be fine I don’t see why not..
     
    rolloverdude Thanks this.
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