question for end dumps

I pulled a end dump about 7 years ago, but not sure what "blocking the fifth wheel" means.

 

On a frameless end dump, the articulation happens on the trailer, not the 5th wheel of the truck, so you've got to block it or pin it or in some other way cause it to not tip forward or back.

You can buy kits...or fab up something on your own....or buy a 5th wheel that is already blocked.

http://www.fifthwheel.com/pdfs/literature/LT-136_BlockedFifthWheels.pdf

Scroll down to the bottom of that pdf...there is a kit that you can have welded onto your existing 5th wheel. I'm sure the other manufacturers probably have similar things available.

 

The trucks we have come with an adapter that goes on each side of the fifth wheel and is held in place with one bolt on each side.

 

Yep need to block fifth wheel if your pulling a frameless dump you can fab something up or buy the kit

 

You have to block the 5th wheel if hauling enddumps. Otherwise it will slap back and forth and drive you nuts. I have moved end dumps for a very short distance empty and even then its very annoying. I would never do it long term and never loaded. I have blocked my 5th wheels different ways, Welding round stock onto the back of the slider and making a tab attached to the end of the 5th wheel plate. But it seems the tab bolts seem to break off often. So I am trying a new way now and it seems stronger and more sturdy. See pics. Top picture is the front, closest to cab. This is used just as a stabilizer. It is a large bolt with a nut welded to the 5th wheel slide bracket. The bottom is is a 2x2" square stock attached to the slide bracket and it has a tab welded on it where you can attach the 2x2 square stock to it with a smaller bolt to keep it in place from moving around. It also has a welded bead along it to keep it from moving around. Very quick to take them off. They are located on all 4 corners of the plate.
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most good diesel mechanics that KNOW their stuff,the kind that fabricate,can fab one.I went to a one man show welding/fabrication shop in Dawsonville,Ga.and got out of there for around $200.Granted,i have to remove 8 nuts/bolts,4 of which are already on the frame and welded in place,to take mine off to pull regular trailers.takes me about 5-8 minutes to remove and/or replace the blocks.Practice and routine.

YES I do have to wear coveralls or i do get grease on me regardless of how careful i am.amazing that it happens as it does.oh well.

I have seen the pin type but so far what i have is working fine.

 

As bulldog said, on the frameless or quarter frame you need the fifth wheel blocked. On full frame type you don't.

 

My pics never posted last time, so I tried it again. My mech and I came up with this latest set up. We are going to redo the front block that has the thin 2x2 square stock. It needs to be re-enforced with solid stock directly underneath the 5th wheel to support the heavy weight. But this system is working best compared to the other setups on my other trucks. The front screw in pin system works nicely. I would use larger bolts next time just to give it that extra added strength. I will post the modifications as soon as I redo the set up.