In-Cab 5th Wheel Release.... DANGEROUS?

Yes I roll the landing gear down untill I hear small amounts of air escaping the 5th wheel/drives. NO there is no light between the 5th wheel and trlr..

 

BTW There is a recall on the air 5th wheel release through volvo. Something about the chamber getting clogged up causing it to Malfunction....

 

So we're just waiting for google to perfect that driverless car and we can all head to the unemployment lines.

 

According to a Volvo Tech there is a recall on the Air 5th Wheel Release Mechagnism due to a chamber is getting clogged up causing the system to malfunction allowing the 5th wheel itself to jam open/closed.

 

i agree with you, but i wish i could have one of those air systems for my tandem release

 

Air release tandems aren't worth the trouble. I pick up drop and hook trlrs with tandems all the way to the rear and it takes a few minutes to build up enough air in the trl tank to move the pins. Its nice for adjusting when you scale, but i wont leave a shipper with my tandems all the way back, so it costs me more time than it saves.

 

My dear sir,i'm sorry to say but my opinion is that your procedure for unhooking isn't correct.

When i unhook,i turn the handle untill the legs touch ground.
All the weight is still on the drive(s).
Open the fith wheel
drive a couple off inches forward
then dropp the airsuspension.
when the air is out off the drive(s) then drive all the way out.


If i did it your way,i can hardly open the fith wheel.
With turning the handle untill you hear air released from the suspension,you put extra pressure on the claw.
Your effictively jamming your own fith wheel.

Now it isn't my intention to start a shouting match,if you don't see my point just say so and we leave it at that.


ps if you have a trailer that bends down when you unhook it,i blow my suspension a little higher before starting to unhook so that i can dropp the suspension enough after i unhook.

 

students like children should be seen and not heard
or ask questions and leave
commentary to those with experience in the matter

 

I completely agree with what you are saying. I use to unhook the way you describe. How ever the company I am with also has Owner operators and other trucks with 5th wheels at different heights. So the Owner Ops are to lower the landing gear with about 2" between the ground and the Dolly feet and the rest of us are to roll down as I described. makes no sense I know.......

 

Then you, sir, need to look into that driver's mirror of yours and maybe that will work out for you. How dare you insult my intelligence. I asked one simple question in the original post and thus far everyone has danced around it. Re read the post and you will find that question.

All I am doing is seeking information. Granted I did post that post under the influence of a strong Narcotic due to post operative pain however it still does not give you that right.

You may be more knowledgeable than I in some areas of this industry but then again it may be vice versa with me. For instance I get fone calls every day about Elogs and DOT Compliances from other drivers and once in a blue moon from our Safety Dept. Do I know every compliance? No and I dont pretend to know. But if I dont know the answer I will investigate and research that question until I have the right answer.

And if you are a trainer and treat your students with that same respect then you arent much of a trainer.

Thank you and have a wonderful day