Trlr Uncoupled - How could I have prevented this.

Had problem years ago with handle locking, item 6 as shown. If handle is not locked this will allow pin to work loose.

 

Hey it happens , could have been high-locked or bounced. all most allways seems to happen in turns. the handle being in just dont matter as you have learned. i probably should not say this as it is only my own opinion but after working on trucks for 25 years and cutting my teeth on Holland fifth wheels , give me a Fontaine no-slack

 

Don't you just hate it when you go to 3rd gear the slack comes out of some 5th wheels

 

CaSunL:
You have my sympathy on your misfortune. Yes, it might have been prevented, but stuff happens, everyday. I am 110% confident that it will never happen to you again. As a couple members said, it could have been much worse. No one was hurt, no other vehicles involved. And as Challenger said, hopefully your job isnt in jeopardy. You seem very sincere and conscientous. That puts you ahead of 90% of the truck drivers nowadays.
Im not lecturing here, but checking the fifth wheel is part of the walk around. Always do the walk around. It is a couple of minutes, very well spent.
I can only assume this is your first incident with the company? Lets hope they are alittle linient with the first incident? Let us know how the next couple of days go for you. Wishing the best for you... David

 

My first mistake got me a Mother in Law, now I double check everything.......

 

Thats funny, right there. Good that you can joke about it.
Makes dropping a trailer seem very insignificant...

 

Think this pic says it all.



The jaws are locked, so its not equipment failure. The gouge on right side of plate maybe from the pin. The good news; its a mistake you only make once!

Most are guilty of not checking jaws at some point, and happens more often w/ local drivers cause of the number of trailers in a day. A little off center and pin will compress bags as pin slides over 5th wheel, making it "feel" right. Experience helps, but never replaces an inspection.

To avoid high locking, or entire overshoot the only way to tell while backing is watching left rear drive tire clear trailer <--- notice the clearance as you see it from your mirror... it doesn't look like much. A trailer dropped too high will look a little different, but the big clue is when your front drive is approaching trailer, if you've not felt trailer at this point, get out and dolly down. Back under again, listen for the jaw... I like to tug in 1st until something moves. (I'm sure to get comments on that, but its my peace of mind) As long as trailer moved, or drive tire spun... time to hook up and inspect.

Wish you luck, and many safe miles ahead!

 

perhaps it wasn't latched in the jaws. trailer may have been to high and hooked behind the 5th wheel.. a tug test moving forward would appear hooked up.. once a corner is reached in motion the trailer would then slip off... what created the scrape (s)?

 

I am OCD when it comes to this . Had one trailer drop on the rails from being lazy 20yrs ago not looking to make sure it was latched. After 20 minutes of trying to wind up a 40,000 lb load I don't take any more chances....

 

the king pin has the shaft and the flange on the bottom. if you high lock it, the jaws go around the wider flange. In a tug test it will stay connected. As you turn or bounce the trailer the flange will rip out of the jaws since it is supposed to be under the jaws. this is not always clear after your connected. you need to check trailer height right before you back under. After connected you need to confirm there is no space between the 5th and the trailer. It should lay flat on it. Also confirm the flange is under the jaws and the jaws are around the shaft. (why is this sounding dirty lol)

This cant be taken lightly. You are lucky no one was killed when the trailer disconnected.