Lesson of the day… Always check your fifth wheel and Kingpin to ensure it’s secure and locked

Discussion in 'Trucking Accidents' started by drvrtech77, Sep 28, 2024.

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  1. drvrtech77

    drvrtech77 Road Train Member

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    drvrtech77, Sep 28, 2024
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  2. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    I always checked the 5th wheel with the "Johnny Bar" everytime I moved forward. I worked for a lot of companies that surely had some disgruntled employee seeking revenge. I never myself "dropped" a wagon on the road, my old Pete had a sticky 5th wheel below zero degrees, but in all my miles and years, only once in Chicago did I see a driver lose a wagon. The truck? Why a worn out R model Mack, of course.
     
    201, Sep 29, 2024
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  3. Grumppy

    Grumppy Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    I've never dropped one to the ground but, I have dropped two off the 5th wheel down to the frame on the yard. I've always been careful & slow so the frame would catch it. After those two... no more. I check, pull, push, pull, push & pull a 3rd time. Sometimes I wonder how my motor supports don't come apart after a few years.

    Its honestly one of my biggest fears over the last 20 years.

    I seen this one a couple of years ago in the intersection of the Loves & US Hwy 49 in Magee, Ms.
    I guess he was blocking the pumps & somebody pulled his lever. I wasnt in there, so I dont know. Just guessing, because he was pulling out of the loves getting back on the hwy heading north.

    IMG_0671.jpg
     
    Grumppy, Sep 29, 2024
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  4. O.Henry

    O.Henry Road Train Member

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    8 seconds and a flashlight is my route.
    Saw one that only half latched (Winter)
    Never trust the tug test!
    No surprises.
     
    O.Henry, Sep 29, 2024
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  5. bulldog522002

    bulldog522002 Light Load Member

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    Had the same thing happen to me. I was so glad I visually inspected it.
     
    bulldog522002, Sep 29, 2024
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  6. Savor the Flavor

    Savor the Flavor Medium Load Member

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    Uh-oh... just wait 'til @gentleroger sees this. He won't be happy!
     
    Savor the Flavor, Sep 29, 2024
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  7. O.Henry

    O.Henry Road Train Member

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    They sent me after a dropped trailer because driver stated the 5th wheel malfunctioned and they were bobtailing him to the shop to investigate.
    When I got there,I could see where the kingpin had slid over the top of 5th wheel.He claimed to have done a tug test.
    I’ll let you all figure out the physics.
     
    O.Henry, Oct 2, 2024
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  8. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    Well, pretty clear they were too low, and with the pin against the front of the 5th wheel, it very well could have survived the tug test. The 1st turn is where they lost it. I was unloading in Milwaukee once, at Roundys( shudder) and all of a sudden, we hear this awful sound, naturally we all ran outside to take a look see. A yard spotter with a novice driver, never locked the pin, and took off made it about a block and lost the wagon. The amazing part, the wagon had 44,000 on it, and the landing gear withstood the drop.
     
    201, Oct 2, 2024
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  9. Lennythedriver

    Lennythedriver Road Train Member

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    I’m to the point of paranoia about it, I check it multiple times. I don’t pull off unless I see it latched by going underneath and seeing it. I’ve seen too many drivers out there usually in the middle of an intersection right outside the shipper where the trailer has slid off because it wasn’t attached. Yeah sometimes you can pull them a little distance without that kingpin being latched. Especially if it’s heavy. Go around the corner and your trailer will get left behind.
     
    Lennythedriver, Oct 2, 2024
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  10. O.Henry

    O.Henry Road Train Member

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    Yep,it fell soon as he turned after clearing the parking spot.
     
    O.Henry, Oct 2, 2024
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