Tug test failure

Did you check the height of the fifth wheel after you hooked the trailer. Did you ensure the jaws were around the kingpin? I'm so paranoid about this, that this is the first thing i do after I hook. Make sure the upper fifth wheel has no gap while on the fifth wheel and the jaws are closed securely around the kingpin. Takes 2 seconds.

 

I take it a step further, I take my flashlight under to check, sometimes it's dark under there, even in daylight and difficult to see the kingpin properly.
Is there a name for the slot in the fifth wheel that the kingpin slides into to lock?

 

Ever thought to simply look?

 

Always look underneath and make sure the jaws have closed completely and everything is sitting the way it should.

 

Not to sounds mean but where did you get you're training, you don't seem to have terms down that is used by most drivers out there, I hope you meant tractor and not cab, I ask cause the last Guy I heard use those terms paid off a DMV Guy and ended up wrecking cause he should have never been behind the wheel. Just asking.

 

That basically sums it up G.O.A.L, Takes less than a min to make 100% sure... Now you got a hit on your dac possibly for not doing a proper p.t.i., damaging company equipment, as well as possible dismissal, or getting charged for repairs. If you stay in this industry consider this one of the most valuable lessons to learn. WHEN IN DOUBT... CHECK IT OUT!!! I hope for your sake none of the above happens to you. But pay attention to detail is the best way to cya!!! Period....

 

but again i put myself out of service for this, better too be safe then sorry , for this, why , my kingpin locked, checked with flashlight , turn a few times in yard , something was knawing at my feelings, so i got up too the fuel island at terminal , went back under and look at kingpin was wide opean , i backed up so slowly , a old trick my dad taught me with the landing gears about a 1/4 too 2 inchs off the ground back straight and lucky there was a hole too back straight into , drop trl , pull out and could not see anything, but would not close, took over to the shop , they had a rig on forklift for kingpin, they ram it hard three times , still wouldnt close, it was broke somewere, so there went my night and day , then they went to the records on the truck, , they said this truck was in a jackknife, i kinda thought so , with new flarings and sleeper cab corners, the fith wheel was twisted and wouldnt close and or work right, i just got lucky he said it closed the first time , then as i driving thru the yard it twisted opean he said, then ended up scrapping it and put a new holland on it , then i was good too go after 3 days of sitting . this was on century freightshaker 06 was them a problem them years

 

EVERETT, WHEW YOU GOT LUCKY ON THAT ONE MAN.BUT THEN AGAIN THAT SHOWS THAT THE SHOP DIDNT DO THEIR JOBS COMPLETELY.. GOOD CATCH ON YOUR PART