5th wheel slide

Its VERY rare to have to slide the fifth wheel.. it should be set and forgotten unless the load just will not scale legally without moving weight forward to get it off of the drives

 

I was going to say that too, but then I realize with all the new drivers out there with the mega-carriers who soon quit, you just KNOW there are a bunch of trucks with the 5th wheel position all the way back or all the way forward when the newer driver got the truck. Buy yes, once you get it where you are full of fuel and 12,000 on the steer and 34,000 on the drive, leave it alone after that and don't give it another thought.

 

One of the main reasons that there are more and more carriers getting rid of sliding 5th wheels in some of these people's desire to screw with them for no apparent reason... much to their and their company's detriment.

 

True that you don't "HAVE TO", however reducing the gap in between the tractor and trailer raises fuel mileage. If your load permits moving the 5th wheel forward, you can increase your mileage by up 1-1.25 mpg. This can make a big difference on making your MPG bonus. Just remember to stretch back out when delivering.

 

yes get all the pressure off the 5th wheel sometimes it helps to spray some silicon or wd 40 into the silders but be sure to be pulling straight forward otherwise the slider rails can bind

 

I hate having to slide the 5th Wheel, it's a PITA.


Find a good spot and leave it alone lol.

 

Why such a PITA?
When needed, I can slide my 5th wheel in a matter of seconds.
On any hookup the landing gear is already down. I just hook-up, drop my bags, flip the switch, and done.

Note: I hook to a variety of trailer types, with different kingpin setbacks being one variable, thus requiring a 5th wheel slide on a more frequent basis.

 

keep them lubed up and slide when trl is mt back and forth a few times. then when you really need to slide to get your weight rite it will work easy for you. spray lube and dish soap work great also. be careful out there

 

Nah, just set your trailer brake and hammer down! You wanted it all the way back right?!

 

Key
Word here is "dump your air bags". For those of us without a dump valve sliding the 5thtraining whell with more than 40k in the box is irksome. Most times I have to uncouple, let the air bags drain a little and the re couple before they dump too much and I have a high hook.