Fifth wheel position

Sitting in Iowa, Des monies getting a new fifth wheel plate.coming down the hills the dog leg was getting more and more exaggerated. Pull up to a kum n go 30 mins west. I tried to in hook rehook method to get straight. I noticed the bar that locks in the king pin lock just dangling. So I called the boss. ( we all know how that went)

When I couldn't detach. A man came over to assist me. I had tried for 25 mins. He got it unhooked in two. Thanked him kindly and merry Christmas to him. I love people who know more than I do.

The fifth wheel is getting replace. ...I'm gona do my best to explain. I should grabbed a picture sorry.

The fifth wheel has a welded piece that I guess holds both, all the guts in place and there alignment so all the parts can move. It broke at the weld allowing all the guts to shift to one side and create a new wedge to hold it all in. Apperently this weld had been ripping over time and rusting over.
Several people have told me good eye smart for stopping.. Me being me I tried to explain. I really just had to s--t. And only had 48 mins left on my 8.

Eld saved my life folks. Check your fifth wheel cause s--t happens!