Unlocking a fifth wheel that has accidentally tripped shut......

I was backing into my trailer..............and apparently the trailer was too high. My fifth wheel jaws tripped, but did not lock around the king pin. I had no idea how to open the jaws, so I found the only thing around where I was, a short board, didn't budge the jaws, so I had to go to the yard and switch tractors. Another driver apparently got them open, but he is not very forthcoming with information, (job security I guess). Anyway..................unbelievably, I haven't been able to find anything online to tell me how to do this. Can anyone educate me?

 

Did you pull the release handle?

 

That wouldn't move the jaws... id try a strap or rope through the jaws and around the kingpin to pull against. That or a ratchet strap and crank them open...

 

Just be careful I tore my shoulder seriously from trying to raise the landing gear!

 

That happened to me so I pulled the release and locked it in place, then used a cheater bar and forced it open. Had to put a piece of wood in with the cheater bar to fill the gap, but it worked.

 

And I hate the drivers that don't drop a trailer right. To make a routine either empty or loaded put the landing gear almost all the way down so it isn't touching the ground. Dump the air bags and pull out from under it. Why can't some just get this.

 

I've never heard of this happening before. So, the jaws are closing, and can't be opened again?

 

Its like a car door, open your door, then use a screwdriver to trip it like the striker, it wont spread by just lifting thw handle, it requires tension to separate the jaws...

 

Good to know, if it ever happens. Thanks!

 

When the "jaws" snap shut and there is not a king pin to clamp around, the mechanism can close too far and bind in among itself. Usually a 2 inch pipe or whatever can get down into whatever opening is available can be stuck down in there to help pry it open a bit (unbind it) then should be able to pull the pin as normal.

Never put a piece of wood that might break off a small piece that might get stuck inside the opening and remain there, making the mechanism unusable until it can somehow be removed.

Also, it helps to know what type of mechanism you're dealing with ...