Explain, tug test vs using the johnny bar to confirm hook up?

True, and they also used to have steel wheels on the landing gear, so there was little chance of collapsing the legs, either.

We used to call it "Georgia Overdrive", but in Georgia, they used to call this "Alabama overdrive". And in Colorado, they just called you "dead".

GO AWAY, AI BOT!!!!

 

The old 3 axle RGN I was pulling couple years ago had no spring brakes or Maxi’s as some called them. Pop had some trailers in the 80’s that were late 60’s to mid 70’s with no spring brakes. Seen greenhorn put one in the fence trying to get under it…..

 

It would actually help if drivers knew how 5th wheel locking jaws worked on Fontaines,, Jost's and Hollands.

I learned when I had to replace the guts in a Fontaine 6000 last year, in 100 degree heat in Dallas, because my 6 YO Fontaine wasn't greased enough, and the jaws had too much slop. Parts were $375 from Fleetpride.

Shop told me 2 days downtime, and same parts were $750. I fixed that 5th wheel real quick when I was losing a $5000 load.

 

I do too, but I visually check the bar (or jaws) engagement. I'll bet if I didn't check 1 time it would fall

 

Visually check

hitting the trolly is to check brakes, not the pin

 

steel wheel landing gears, ha ha ha, i do kinda rember that, ha ha ha.

 

Back when I pulled a dry box trailer, every time I would hook up to a new trailer I always got behind the tractor with my flashlight and made sure that the jaw was actually closed. If you're going to be away from your equipment for any length of time you can always pull the trailer brakes and create some tension between the truck and trailer by slightly trying to move forward and setting your tractor brakes before releasing your accelerator. If you're going to be away from your equipment for any length of time the best rule was always to get behind your tractor and just verify that the jaw is closed. It doesn't take that much time and it is sure as hell better than being on the side of the road having all those people stare at you because you dropped your trailer.