Is there a certain way to drop a trailer?

Thats approximately 3 inches in tire height difference. If you drop a trailer with the legs up another 3 inches the guy with tall 24.5s can't even get his tires under the trailer.

 

If every truck running 24.5's was inches higher at the 5th wheel then trucks running 22.5's, the Eisenhower tunnel would be turning around a third of the trucks running through there. Some trucks have a higher 5th wheel platform than others but it's not so much related to tire size as 5th wheel spec and out of adjustment height levelers or stupid owner ops.

 

Just last week I helped a driver in this same manner... He had to drop a trailer in a tight hole so he had backed it in about 3/4 the way lowered the landing gear within an inch of the ground, backed the rest the way in, disconnected and pulled out from under it... Almost.

When the trailer slid off tje fifth wheel it dropped onto his tires, the landing gear just happened to line up with a low spot in the yard. Anyway he couldn't get the rest the way out, or get back under it.

I saw he was having difficulties so I grabbed my 4x4 blocks and went to help. Asked him he he needed a hand, he then explained what I had already figured out for myself... He said he wasn't sure what to do. I told him to lower his bags, slid the blocks in, had him air up bags, thus lifted the trailer... I then skinnies back into the landing gear and managed to get it lowered to touch the ground and then climbed out. Had him lower bags, then pull out. Grabbed my blocks, he thanked me and shook my hand. Then it was back to my truck.

4x4 blocks come in handy for ALL SORTS OF STUFF!!!!!

 

Bravo you win the cookie!

 

It is less about the fifth wheel height than it is about tire clearance. Having almost the same fifth wheel height does no good if i can't get the fifth wheel to the trailer.

If a guy with low pro 22.5s cranks the gear all the way to the ground there is no issue. I can get under and pick the trailer up. It's when you combine being lower to the ground and also leave the legs up a few more inches.

 

Here is the worst way to drop a trailer.

 

Primary thing is do not drop it on your foot! Don't laugh it has happened.

 

The way ive always thought about it is to drop it how you would want it picked up. Off the ground completely. If i cant put half my foot under a leg when i drop, it's usually too low.