Tug test EVERYTIME u start rolling

A few testers looked at me like I was crazy when I went under to visually inspect the locking jaws/spacing. I guess some people just dont do this. I also do a tug test after checking it.

I worked with a guy who had been driving for 10 years and he had no idea you were supposed to check it at all

 

If I may -- I'd like to push this same topic just a bit further, & ask: what spray lubricant(s) do any of you recommend as best for lubricating the 5th wheel's working parts -- especially during wet &/or cold weather?

I would submit that WD-40 is certainly better than nothing -- but surely there are better alternatives....?

-- L

 

At least you are being as safe as possible, not taking any chances.

God bless every American and their families! God bless the U.S.A.!

The absolute sheer driving force of our national economy - without truck drivers, our entire national economy would come to an absolute standstill - if not outright be dead.

Over the mountains, through the woods, into the valleys, coast to coast, from sea to shining sea - truck drivers can and do go anywhere and everywhere, every day, every night, all year round.

 

@Lennythedriver
1) Being "paranoid", as you call it, is not only saving your life, but the lives of other people around you. You are exercising the same caution and awareness of a good soldier, police officer, & corrections officer which keeps themselves & other people around them alive.
2) God bless you and your entire family!

God bless every American and their families! God bless the U.S.A.

The absolute sheer driving force of our national economy - without truck drivers, our entire national economy would come to an absolute standstill - if not outright be dead.

Over the mountains, through the woods, into the valleys, coast to coast, from sea to shining sea - truck drivers can and do go anywhere and everywhere, every day, every night, all year round.

 

Anything is better than WD-40. Hock a lugie on it, or is it lugey? It strips lubrication & displaces water (Water Displacer #40). My shops used the same grease on 5th wheel as they used to grease the lube points on the truck.

 

sad but true

God bless every American and their families! God bless the U.S.A.!

The absolute sheer driving force of our national economy - without truck drivers, our entire national economy would come to an absolute standstill - if not outright be dead.

Over the mountains, through the woods, into the valleys, coast to coast, from sea to shining sea - truck drivers can and do go anywhere and everywhere, every day, every night, all year round.

 

Tug test AND a visual inspection of the 5th wheel.

I had a back trailer come off a converter dolly in the yard one weekend. Luckily it was Sunday and none of the supervisors were there to see it. Dolly was a piece of crap...I hooked on with it and it passed the visual inspection but I didn't tug against it and that was a mistake. That spooked me for awhile.

 

Would white lithium grease work ? Works dang good on a squeaky door hinge

 

After a couple of incidents, we started using a short cable lock to prevent release from being pulled.
While the sand,salt, snow, etc, make frequent uncoupling a pia, we haven't had issues since.
Most still do a visual and a tug on the pretrip. It is a good preventative measure.