Never did I say that looking at the jaws is the only thing you should do. Looking at the jaws is—only one of several steps—in ensuring proper coupling. It’s like saying why do a tug test if it can sometimes be unreliable. Again, it’s just one of several steps.
forgetting to lowering landing gear...
Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by FrankieCarbone, Mar 10, 2020.
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Coupling to a trailer and doing it safely begins with knowing your equipment is in good working order first. Inspect inspect inspect. Followed by correctly doing it. Easy does it with the force. Make sure the trailer makes contact at the right point on the 5th wheel (this is a lot harder then it looks). Make sure you don't have excessive side to side play. Then a short and gentle tug test is next. Then inspect the trailer, raise the landing gear as you do so make sure that the trailer is sitting flat on the 5th wheel. If you have kept your 5th wheel inspected and it in good working order you are finished. Everybody is free to do this as they wish. Heck, I don't care if while doing it you are tapping to the musical "top hat". Just make dang sure you keep a good close watch on that 5th wheel when bobtail and keep those internal locking mechanism parts in good working order. <<<This the key to staying out of trouble!! Just consider any bent (even slightly) parts as placing that 5th wheel OOS!
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@Moose1958. I agree with everything you’ve said on this subject. You and I have the same old school way of thought on this. A driver should be able to gently back under the trailer and just kiss the pin and hear the sound of the latch “clink” closed. If you have to force it. That isn’t good. My uncle used to call “raping the fifth wheel” and if you think about in that way he’s right. I’ve heard the loud ripping crunch sound of drivers hitting the pin so hard its a wonder it ever stays in the bolster. They for some reason think this is the best way to make sure it latches but it is the bestway to destroy the guarantee it will stay latched.
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I hope the old school of doing things doesn’t involve not looking at the jaws. Moose has admitted he skips this test, which is disappointing.
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Okay, I misread Moose’s comment #66. I read it too fast.Last edited: Mar 12, 2020
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PE_T Thanks this.
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SmallPackage Thanks this.
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Lol I did this ONE time. Actually almost made it out of the shipper's yard. I saw some smoking and stopped the truck. Got out and realized the landing gear was still down and the landing gear was smoking. I cranked that #### up and kept it pushing.
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PE_T and SmallPackage Thank this.
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