Questions for others that do lots of drop and hook

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Farmerbob1, Oct 5, 2018.

  1. Farmerbob1

    Farmerbob1 Road Train Member

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    I do almost exclusively drop and hook loads. The account I am on tends to load well over 40k lbs 90+% of the time.

    Every now and then I find a trailer that is sitting several inches too high. Cranking down a 40k+ lb trailer several inches is highly annoying.

    I have considered using a couple 2x6s a couple feet long, to make two short, low ramps that I can roll the truck drives onto while backing under the trailer in order to get high enough to get a good hook.

    Has anyone here tried anything like that?

    If so, how did it work?
     
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  3. Dennixx

    Dennixx Road Train Member

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    Just put a piece of lumber across your frame or on your 5th w the bags dumped and put air to the suspension while your under the front of the trailer and after it lifts crank the dollies down, dump the air and lose the blocks.
    May have to do it twice.
     
    Last edited: Oct 5, 2018
  4. Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

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    Crank the gear handle in low gear so it is less effort.
     
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  5. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    That's what I used to do, couple 4x4 blocks. Those RR cans, 2 were never dropped at the same height.
     
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  6. Studebaker Hawk

    Studebaker Hawk Road Train Member

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    We have to spot heavy generators for TV broadcasts, which have to be level front to back. Lots of times we have to use the 4x4 between the 5th wheel and pin plate with dumping the air suspension and lifting them. When we are done you can almost walk underneath in some extreme locations.
     
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  7. 88 Alpha

    88 Alpha Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    What you are suggesting works fine if the trailer is too low. In this case, the OP is trying to find feasible method to raise the fifth wheel to meet the higher trailer so he doesn't have to lower the landing gear as much.
     
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  8. Dennixx

    Dennixx Road Train Member

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    I see, misread on the too high part.


     
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  9. Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    Works great.
     
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  10. Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    That’s if it’s dropped too low . Good point I started to make myself figured one thing at a time.
     
  11. Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    I once rammed the side near landing gear as trailer was way low it didn’t matter old junk trailer anyway it worked. The guys I worked with were freaking out but we had to go!!!
     
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