Truckers Report Jobs

Find Trucking Jobs

Company Driver Company Driver Dry Van Dry Van Flatbed Flatbed Refrigerated Refrigerated Specialized Specialized Owner Operator Owner Operator
More Trucking Job Searches ⌄ Fewer Trucking Job Searches
⌃

Play in trailer kingpin, how much is OK?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Tom Thumb, Sep 23, 2018.

Page 1 of 4
  1. Sep 23, 2018 #1
    Tom Thumb

    Tom Thumb Bobtail Member

    4
    2
    Sep 23, 2018
    0
    How much play is ok with my fifth wheel and king pin. When starting to move from a stop there is a considerable amount of jerk, then while shifting a pretty good slam (as the trailer moves forward). This happens any time the tractor slows down and then speeds up. As far as I can tell there is no side to side movement but definitely front to back. I brought this to the company mechanic and they scoffed at me and made me feel like an idiot. He said it moves about an inch and says that’s fine (it feels like it could be moving more but I’m not back there to see) he also claims he once hauled heavy equiptment and had 4”-5” of play and that was fine too. I am a new driver for them and I admit I don’t have a ton of experience but as far as I know there shouldn’t be much play if any. So who is right? I don’t want to drop my trailer with 200 bbl of product in an intersection or anywhere on the road for that matter. If it’s not a big deal great but if it is I will have to stand my ground and make them fix it.
     
    Tom Thumb, Sep 23, 2018
    Tom Thumb, Sep 23, 2018
    #1
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

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

  3. Sep 23, 2018 #2
    MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

    46,049
    201,712
    Sep 19, 2005
    Baltimore, MD
    0
    Well, if it’s a matter of adjusting the fifth wheel jaws it’s an easy fix. Worse though is the kingpin itself being worn out.

    If this alleged “mechanic” weren’t the idiot he seems to enjoy making people feel like, he would’ve had you lock the trailer brakes and bump your tractor back and forth to see exactly what’s going on there.
     
    MACK E-6, Sep 23, 2018
    MACK E-6, Sep 23, 2018
    #2
    Bucky, Dino soar, Oxbow and 6 others Thank this.
  4. Sep 23, 2018 #3
    WesternPlains

    WesternPlains Road Train Member

    6,231
    47,678
    Sep 1, 2017
    0
    I dropped a trailer once. Picked it up in a snow storm with ice and all.
    Had a couple replies to watch for loose kingpins. One said he wouldn’t drive a loose kingpin. Maybe they will chime in here.
    You might think about walking from that company. No argument. Just. Walk so many love to argue and do nothing.
     
    WesternPlains, Sep 23, 2018
    WesternPlains, Sep 23, 2018
    #3
    Grubby and Tom Thumb Thank this.
  5. Sep 23, 2018 #4
    pmdriver

    pmdriver Road Train Member

    2,338
    3,502
    Nov 14, 2017
    0
    for reasoning, a little play if let alone will become big play...then you know what comes next. Write it up on a post trip inspection which forces the company to deal with it correctly and if not fixed call your local DOT office and ask for a inspection before you leave the yard. IF you leave the yard knowing something is wrong it is on you.
     
    pmdriver, Sep 23, 2018
    pmdriver, Sep 23, 2018
    #4
    Grubby and Tom Thumb Thank this.
  7. Sep 23, 2018 #5
    Tom Thumb

    Tom Thumb Bobtail Member

    4
    2
    Sep 23, 2018
    0
    Thanks guys, I knew it didn’t seem right. I did write it up and they were going to be working on my truck and trailer to fix several other things that needed to be done so hopefully they will go ahead and fix it. Nice to have some input from some veterans, thank you for your time and advice!
     
    Tom Thumb, Sep 23, 2018
    Tom Thumb, Sep 23, 2018
    #5
    Dino soar and Oxbow Thank this.
  8. Sep 23, 2018 #6
    Roberts450

    Roberts450 Road Train Member

    2,237
    3,634
    Feb 6, 2016
    0
    If you have a sliding 5th wheel it could be the locking dogs are getting wore out too.
     
    Roberts450, Sep 23, 2018
    Roberts450, Sep 23, 2018
    #6
    Dino soar, stillwurkin, MACK E-6 and 2 others Thank this.
  9. Sep 23, 2018 #7
    ichudov

    ichudov Heavy Load Member

    736
    639
    Mar 14, 2012
    Berkeley, IL
    0
    A lot of fifth wheels can be adjusted VERY easily by anyone using a special adjustment "stop bolt" that sticks out of the 5th wheel. I did that a month ago with my own fifth wheel. Took out all play on one trailer and most play with the other, which might have a worn kingpin. I watched a youtube video and did it. Mine is a Fontaine fifth wheel.

    https://www.fifthwheel.com/pdfs/technicalbulletins/TB-012.pdf

    Also try to shift more smoothly as to not to slam the kingpin as much.
     
    ichudov, Sep 23, 2018
    ichudov, Sep 23, 2018
    #7
    Lepton1, Lav-25 and Tom Thumb Thank this.
  10. Sep 23, 2018 #8
    baha

    baha Road Train Member

    4,137
    2,834
    Jul 25, 2013
    ga
    0
    If you cant grease your 5th wheel when trailer is empty, then when weather gets bad or roads muddy and truck ends up in ditch a few times you will be looking for another job?
     
    baha, Sep 23, 2018
    baha, Sep 23, 2018
    #8
  11. Sep 23, 2018 #9
    Blackshack46

    Blackshack46 Road Train Member

    3,326
    4,249
    Jan 19, 2015
    Playing in the cow manure, PA
    0
    Uhhh what?
    I have a good idea what you mean, but what you said makes no sense.
     
    Blackshack46, Sep 23, 2018
    Blackshack46, Sep 23, 2018
    #9
    Dumdriver, WesternPlains, Grubby and 1 other person Thank this.
  12. Sep 23, 2018 #10
    snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

    19,777
    12,319
    Jul 6, 2009
    0
    It's not play in the trailer kingpin.

    It's play in the truck 5th wheel. The lock jaws need adjustment. IF the 5th wheel is adjustable. NOW, if you swap trailers and the problem goes away. The kingpin itself could be wearing down.

    If it's not too bad. Keeping the 5th wheel greased will keep the knocking down. I use lucas 5th wheel grease. Makes a BIG difference over standard grease. And lasts longer. My wheel doesn't have an adjustment. I"m going on 2 1/2 years. It's not the first company, nor is it the first truck I've had that problem with.

    As much as you all would like to say it's a big deal. I've dealt with that problem most of my 18 years. Through different companies and trucks. I'm not sure how many were adjustable. The truck I have now. IS NOT
     
    Last edited: Sep 23, 2018
    snowwy, Sep 23, 2018
    snowwy, Sep 23, 2018
    #10
    MACK E-6 Thanks this.
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

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

    • Page 1 of 4