New to doubles and have questions

LovemyGPS · Aug 18, 2025

blairandgretchen said: ↑

Come to a stop, and set the trailer brakes, simultaneously reversing gently GENTLY - into the set, then pull your tractor brakes.

Should release all tension off the 5th wheels and make it easier to pull the 5th wheel release.
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Thanks

okiedokie · Aug 18, 2025

tscottme said: ↑

5th wheel handles have various, but usually only one, way to be pulled and release the 5th wheel. Some you grasp the handle and twist your pulling hand counter-clockwise and then pull out. Some 5th wheel handles need to be lifted up and then you can pull out. Some 5th wheel handles need both a counter-clockwise rotation and a lift before pulling.

In trucking there are some drivers that know the one and only way their equipment works and DEMAND you agree that every other piece of equipment MUST WORK THE SAME WAY or you are stupid. It doesn't matter if you ask about making a truck idle, pull the 5th wheel, slide tandems, or a hundred other things. NOT EVERY MANUFACTURER DOES THINGS THE SAME WAY, so there is almost never just one way to do things, even if someone's trainer said it or a driver's first company had all of their equipment operate the same way. I had 15-20 years experience pulling all kinds of dry vans and driving all kinds of trucks and eventually had a loaner Volvo that I could not figure out the 5th wheel release. I had to have a mechanic drive to me and show me how that one 5th wheel worked. I had maybe 6 other drivers with different trucks try to pull the 5th wheel and none of us could figure it out before the mechanic showed up. The secret on that truck was raise the handle about a quarter inch, but no more, rotate the handle, pull out and lift up all at the same time. When the mechanic arrived it took him a few minutes to get a release. I demonstrated the procedure he showed me 2 or 3 times before he left. And then took about 20 minutes to release the handle at the next location.
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2 pull handles. First time for everything.

Turdzthaword · Aug 19, 2025

This thread has provided me with so much great info about doubles/triples. I really appreciate all of the feedback from all of the experienced drivers

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