fifth wheel problem

I've never seen a cab controlled 5th wheel release that actually worked. Does it do the same thing when released manually?

 

are you company or O/O?

 

Just about every newer tractor at YRC has a remote 5th wheel unlock saves lots of shoulder injuries.

 

I had a remote fifth wheel release on one truck I drove. It worked just fine until it got below 20 degrees outside. Then it didn’t want to release. But it never tripped before the pin hit it. Personally, I’d rather just have the Manuel release. I use a pin puller, it works just fine with no shoulder issues.

 

Pretty sure all Ottawas have that, funny story, once, at the defunct Kohls warehouse in Milwaukee, ( ever been?) I was getting unloaded, we hear this awful thud and screeching noise. Naturally, everybody rushed outside to see an Ottawa about 3 feet in front of a dropped trailer. Apparently, as the story went, the guy never ran an Ottawa, and didn't know about the in cab release, and just backed under it like a regular 5th wheel. The wagon had 44K on it. I couldn't believe the landing gear withstood that.

 

I drive a 2019 Volvo that is supposed to have the kingpin release. Hardly ever works and I basically stopped bothering to even try and use it. I just pull the kingpin release level manually. It is significantly harder to pull than the 2017 Freightliner I previously drove (it did not have the kingpin release gadget). But, still not too hard. Otherwise, haven't had any problems with my kingpin.

 

Have you tried to set the trailer brakes and back against the kingpin before releasing? Should make the release nice and smooth.