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.

  1. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  2. 201

    201 Road Train Member

    11,727
    23,850
    Apr 16, 2014
    high plains colorado
    0
    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.
     
    silverspur and Flat Earth Trucker Thank this.
  3. Grumppy

    Grumppy Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    2,987
    10,002
    Dec 11, 2010
    West Monroe, La
    0
    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
     
  4. O.Henry

    O.Henry Road Train Member

    1,067
    1,961
    Sep 1, 2012
    San Antonio,TX.
    0
    8 seconds and a flashlight is my route.
    Saw one that only half latched (Winter)
    Never trust the tug test!
    No surprises.
     
  5. bulldog522002

    bulldog522002 Light Load Member

    96
    105
    Feb 22, 2014
    WV.
    0
    Had the same thing happen to me. I was so glad I visually inspected it.
     
  6. Savor the Flavor

    Savor the Flavor Medium Load Member

    609
    2,431
    Nov 2, 2018
    0
    Uh-oh... just wait 'til @gentleroger sees this. He won't be happy!
     
    201 and Old_n_gray Thank this.
  7. O.Henry

    O.Henry Road Train Member

    1,067
    1,961
    Sep 1, 2012
    San Antonio,TX.
    0
    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.
     
    Deere hunter Thanks this.
  8. 201

    201 Road Train Member

    11,727
    23,850
    Apr 16, 2014
    high plains colorado
    0
    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.
     
    mjd4277, OldeSkool and Sons Hero Thank this.
  9. Lennythedriver

    Lennythedriver Road Train Member

    2,119
    6,921
    Feb 14, 2020
    0
    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.
     
    silverspur and OldeSkool Thank this.
  10. O.Henry

    O.Henry Road Train Member

    1,067
    1,961
    Sep 1, 2012
    San Antonio,TX.
    0
    Yep,it fell soon as he turned after clearing the parking spot.
     
    201 Thanks this.
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.