True that you learn something new everyday in trucking

I have those air pressured release for the trailer tandems and as you may know sometimes when you release them the pins do not want to go in. My trainer told me when this happens to get in the truck and rock it a bit to release them. That works, but takes more time than what I just learned. While I was sitting at a Kraft for three days, a trucker in front of me tried to move his tandoms and the pins were stuck. He got a sledge hammer and banged it in once with no problem.

The same thing happened to me today so I used my sledge hammer and just hardly tapped the pin and it went in on both sides. So I will use that technique from now on. Just wanted to share

 

My favourite saying, "The bigger the problem....The bigger the hammer!"

 

Most certainly you are learning new stuff everyday, I'm almost 20 years into this industry and I'm stilling learning things.

 

Be very, very, very, very, very, very, very greatful your company has air release pins and that you may never experience real stuck pins. Hint, a sledge won't do anything for a grooved pin, or older trailers without the spring assist lever. Did I mention I pull a fixed spread?

 

You can do the same thing if your kingpin gets stuck. Tap with a hammer. Also, especially in Volvo's if the kingpin gets stuck you can drop and fill the airbages a few times and this helps.

There are a ton of little things out there you can do and learn that help in your day to day struggles! One of my more favorite ones is the dry erase markers. Use them to write your directions, phone numbers, mileage, fuel stops etc... on the windshield or side window. (just don't roll the window down) This keeps your eyes on the road and saves you from having to find a paper and pen. Comes in real handy if you get phone call and have to write something down quick! If you use darker colored markers you can actually see the writing at night too!

Another classic is switching your reading lamp bulbs with red or blue bulbs. This way you can run at night with them on and they won't blind you. Also a very good way to help keep you awake.

Another one of my favorites was to buy a 6 x 6 piece of carpet from Walmart and cut it to lay on the floor in my cab. For under $20 you have a nice carpeted floor! Every three months or so I would just throw it out and by a new one!

Last but oh so not the least, I would find mudflaps that drivers threw in the dumpster and I would cut them up and use zip ties to wrap all my hoses and wires and such to keep them all from rubbing on other stuff. Very common for them to rub and break and leave you stuck in the middle of nowhere! You can also use pieces of radiator hose too! Just cut down the middle, slip over what ever it is you want to protect, then zip tie. Don't by cheap zip ties either guys! Spend the extra few cents and by the good ones!

Hope this stuff helps.

 

That's where a 4 foot wrecking bar works better. Prybar and BFH all in one tool. One of my trailers has manual locks and I can usually pop the sticking pins by using the wrecking bar like a pool cue. Don't even have to get under the chassis to do it.

And don't forget kids, if you have to get all manly to release the pins you better get back under there and make sure they go back thru the holes all the way when you get those wheels where you want them and reset the locks.

 

Don't be 'that guy'...

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygNNv_3TQL8[/ame]

 

I had a hard time once with a container and I rock and release and rock and release and nothing and rock and release harder and faster. Finally got loosen but I lost the tandem also.

 

I have grown up in this field of work and been out here 20 yrs and i am still learning new things. I look at it as when i stop learning it must be time to get off the road.

 

Sometimes your kingpin release will not release, when this happens keep your trailer brakes set and release your tractor brakes while easing back and then pop your brakes again. This will ease the pressure off the pin and you can pull the handle. Sometimes you can use a long handle puller or I use a crow bar since I always have one in my chain box. I keep a can of Zep to spray the linkage every so often.