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5th wheel failed ... help me understand

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Wmorg, Oct 31, 2019.

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  1. Oct 31, 2019 #1
    Wmorg

    Wmorg Bobtail Member

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    Oct 31, 2019
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    Please help ... here’s what happened
    I took an empty trailer about 50 miles, put it in a door unhooked & hooked up to full trailer. I put the 5th wheel partially under the trailer, lowered the trailer to rest on the 5th wheel backed under the trailer, tugged the trailer & got out & visually inspected the 5th wheel with a Flashlight 2x Finished hooking up the trailer. I pulled out of the spot shut my doors & looked again at the 5th wheel & lights. I started to pull out & the tractor & trailer wobbled & seconds later the trailer dropped! Now after getting the trailer back up - 2 experienced drivers watched as I backed under the & tugged again The other driver crawled underneath & then I did again it was locked as we stood there we heard a noise & checked again .... the locking bar was only halfway across now! I pulled out & the other driver hit the center of the 5th to check the locking mechanism... nothing ... it wouldn’t lock.
    I called my companies maintenance department - there was NOTHING VISUALLY BROKE. After a couple of hours another one of our companies driver came
    Of course when our driver came it held!!
    I’m OCD about checking my 5th wheel.
    Can anyone give me any advise...
     
    Wmorg, Oct 31, 2019
    Wmorg, Oct 31, 2019
    #1
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  3. Oct 31, 2019 #2
    Mid-May Trucker

    Mid-May Trucker Road Train Member

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    Was the handle and pin in.
     
    Mid-May Trucker, Oct 31, 2019
    Mid-May Trucker, Oct 31, 2019
    #2
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  4. Oct 31, 2019 #3
    Tb0n3

    Tb0n3 Road Train Member

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    Earth
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    Hit it harder.
     
    Tb0n3, Oct 31, 2019
    Tb0n3, Oct 31, 2019
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  5. Oct 31, 2019 #4
    stillwurkin

    stillwurkin Road Train Member

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    If its not working correctly..i wouldn't pull another trailer. How old is it? When mine acts up i get a new one. Need to have someone look at it, that knows what they are looking at. Not some flunky. Has it been greased often, or once every 50,000 miles? Losing your wagon on the highway..they will blame you..no one else.
     
    stillwurkin, Oct 31, 2019
    stillwurkin, Oct 31, 2019
    #4
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  7. Oct 31, 2019 #5
    D.Tibbitt

    D.Tibbitt Road Train Member

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    Gettin' down westbound
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    Yeah i agree that is one thing u dont want to mess with. I hate to say it but that truck needs to be parked until it is fixed.. That trailer coming off on the freeway at 65mph is not gonna be pretty if that should happen. And you will not be a free man anymore
     
    D.Tibbitt, Oct 31, 2019
    D.Tibbitt, Oct 31, 2019
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  8. Oct 31, 2019 #6
    truckdriver31

    truckdriver31 Road Train Member

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    always never tug with landing gear rolled up. 1st check 5th wheel hight. 2nd check the adjuster nut on the front. make sure its flush against the front of the plate. 3rd check handle. 4th make sure lock jaws are closed. i always tug backwards then forwards. durning the freezing winter months. i hook and unhook twice. just to work cold frozen jaws.
     
    Last edited: Oct 31, 2019
    truckdriver31, Oct 31, 2019
    truckdriver31, Oct 31, 2019
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  9. Oct 31, 2019 #7
    truckdriver31

    truckdriver31 Road Train Member

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    its like seeing a tandem set on the shoulder with the trailer on the ground.
     
    truckdriver31, Oct 31, 2019
    truckdriver31, Oct 31, 2019
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  10. Oct 31, 2019 #8
    Tb0n3

    Tb0n3 Road Train Member

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    Earth
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    The reason I said hit it harder is because the old hand got it hooked. You might be too timid with it being so thorough in your checks.
     
    Tb0n3, Oct 31, 2019
    Tb0n3, Oct 31, 2019
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  11. Oct 31, 2019 #9
    x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    Ive had trailer seperations before on the interstate. Its not fun.

    You never wind gear until your trailer passes the tug test. Never.
     
    x1Heavy, Oct 31, 2019
    x1Heavy, Oct 31, 2019
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  12. Oct 31, 2019 #10
    tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

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    When the 5th wheel won't hold try this:
    Pull the 5th wheel release handle out AND HOLD IT FULLY OUT FOR 5 SECONDS. It allows the mechanism/springs fully reset. When you have this problem, and I have had it several times, do not just grab the 5th wheel handle and walk away when it stays in the released position, like you are dropping the trailer. Grab the handle AND HOLD IT FULLY OUT FOR 5 SECONDS. Then back the tractor firmly against the kingpin. Once it clicks, make sure the landing gear is ALMOST touching the ground. Get back in tractor and give a REAL tug test, not just apply some trailer brakes and if the truck slows, it's good to go.

    I've never had this technique not work. A visual inspection of the 5th wheel jaws is not enough. A tug test is not enough. A heavy trailer that is not properly latched or not latched at all can ride on the 5th wheel plate just because of the weight of the trailer.
     
    tscottme, Oct 31, 2019
    tscottme, Oct 31, 2019
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