jumped the fifth wheel

If the pin is not slipped over the 5th wheel that means it's "on" the plate and you should be able to just drive out from under it. I will have to admit I've done it a couple of times. Any thing you can put under the back of the plate to keep it tilted forward will work. Pop cans, wood, trash, etc....

 

Your mirrors won't show you if there is a space between trailer and wheel Mike

 

Lets speak for ourselves

 

Now that I'm doing a lot of drop and hook loads I avoid trying to rush and have a mental checklist every time I drop or hook. Getting out and looking is always the first thing I do, I back up until my 5th wheel is touching the trailer, set the air brake, then get out and look to make sure the trailer height is positioned halfway up the 5th wheel. Be sure to do your tug test after hearing the jaws lock on the kingpin!

When unhooking I go through my checklist (gladhands and pigtail removed and stowed, lock removed from trailer, landing gear set (I prefer to get them down and then turn a few more times to hear the air bags hiss), fifth wheel pin pulled to release jaws, slide away from kingpin and then dump the air bags before clearing the trailer.

The thing is while I was in training my trainer was all, "Go Go Go, Gotta hurry!" during our D&H's. Wouldn't take any suggestions or be bothered to slow down. We nearly dumped a trailer on the ground when he forgot to do his tug test when hooking. Had to crank the landing gear down and dump the air bags to get back under it.

The time saved by rushing drops or hooks is negligible. This is when you need to take your time to make sure the procedure is done safely and no steps are missed. Have a paper checklist for the first couple of weeks solo if you need one.

 

It has happened by looking and corrected before moving by experience

 

I've never Jumped a trailer. I can visually see if a trailer is to high when I back up under it simply from my mirrors. 43 years and you can't tell? I have 6 almost 7 next month. But been backing trucks and trailers since I was 14.

 

The good thing is you learned a valuable lesson. If this happens again ( hopefully it never will) NEVER EVER call your company and tell them that you high hooked your trailer. Some companies will fire you over that. Just next time before you back under a trailer make sure the bottom of the trailer has no gap between the bottom of the 5th wheel, then proceed to hook up to your trailer. Just take your time next time hooking up to a trailer. The last thing that s worst than high hooking a trailer is for one to come disconnected going down the road

 

There is a certain distance any trailer can be above your drive tires. Any more and you are looking for trouble.

It is something that should be watched while backing.

And watch both sides to make sure that distance is even for evidence of other problems.

Mikeeee