Prime had a very bad day

I had issues with the ###### bar on a Fontaine. Now I use a Jost, with two jaws that clamp around the kingpin. The Jost locking jaws are very positive. I have yet to do a visual inspection after a tug test that is anything but a perfect lock. Unlocking to disconnect is far easier than any Fontaine I have used.

 

Takes more then a tug test, you gotta look underneath to make sure the jaws are locked around the king pin.

 

I always do a hard rolling tug test after I move a few feet, but my eyes is on the trailer and my foot ready to brake.

 

Yep. I'll drive a few feet and use the trolley.

This sort of stuff happens ALL the time. And it's usually in a turn when it happens.

Couple months back. England actually made it out to the main street when it dropped. About 3/4 mile from plant to main road. They made the right hand turn and straightened out and it let go. Wrecker came out. Wrapped a cable around the front behind the kingpin and lifted trailer so england could slide under and latch on.

 

IDK,maybe. In this case it would be well deserved if he didn’t do a visual inspection and tug test!

 

I want that 5th wheel to feel the strangle and say "CLANK"

The one sound I really hate is a lazy "plap" its got no ring or conviction of CLANK!

Anything like the "Snick" or worse a "plew.." is not a hard strong connection with that U connecting jaw that has to rotate across and around your Kingpin. You can absolutely visualize from the back of your tractor frame that yes your U jaw has gotten a good hold of that 5th wheel pin.

You can also get under the tractor provided brakes are set etc and use a powerful source of light and aim upwards to your 5th wheel from below. It should be very obvious that the U is around the kingpin and it's not going anywhere.

Certain fifth wheels are lazy. And I don't want em. I don't want to name names because Ive been away too long. If I have a Jost or Holland I don't feel too bad about them. All others I keep a eye on.

Even if you are connected you MAY at any time given the correct situation have your trailer hop clean out of that 5th wheel. You USUALLY can feel that coming a long time before it does. What it does when you apply fuel to increase speed you feel that "SLOSH" to the back as the trailer slides on the plate looking to escape until it is caught by the lazy U jaw. And if you backed off the fuel pedal you will feel that trailer slide forward a couple of inches into plate.

Slosh, tap, slosh, tap and so on. Its super annoying and aggravating. It is crying out to be adjusted soonest. That is one thing I have never done in my trucking life adjust a 5th wheel. What I do is stand over the mechanics neck and make sure he does adjust the #### thing. Half the shops will laugh at me and brush me off. Not acceptable to me. I will absolutely make myself a royal pain until I get my cookie. So to speak.

 

Wrong thread title ... Prime had a great day that this didn’t happen at highway speed .. Some driver on the other hand his day sure did suck