What would you do?

Although it may not feel like it right this minute,. this is a GOOD thing. It shows that jackwad of a boss that you weren't just being a whiner, and that there actually was/is a serious issue with his equipment. So if he has any sense he'll realize that you were not only looking out for your (and everyone else's on the road) safety, but you were actually looking out for his company's well being also. Maybe just remind him of that when you talk to him again.

Good job Driver.

 

Of ever you you ask why there is a need For rules and DOT, this shows why.

 

oh boy..
that should help ya. safe travels.

 

I've had what looks to be a secure 5th wheel open several times. It always happens after I've tried to hook to a trailer that is dropped too tall. When I back under the trailer, I recognize it's too tall, stop a little short of where you would expect to hear the "clucnk" of the jaws closing, hoop up my lines, and crank the landing gear gear. Then finish backing up to the trailer. I wil tug it, and will look to see if the jaws are closed, by getting under trailer and looking at the 5th-wheel. I've never had a 5th wheel fool me under any other circumstance. My theory is that the trailer kingpin is sitting down on top of the jaws, and this interferes with the proper jaw closing. The remedy for this, a mechanic showed me, is to pull AND HOLD the 5th wheel release handle out for a few seconds. The jaws will open up and reset.

99% of newbies drop trailers too high. About 75% of OTR drivers drop trailer too high. Whether truck has airbags to deflate or not, you want the landing gear NOT TOUCHING GROUND before you disconnect the tractor and trailer on approximately level ground. If I hear one more "veteran" OTR driver tell me he's been dropping trailers his way for X years, they can't be too high I'll join Al Qaeda, Just because you have dropped a trailer and fled the scene for X years doesn't indicate you did it properly.

The bottom of the trailer, sitting on its landing gear, should be taller than the tractor tires but LOWER than the 5th-wheel before getting under a trailer. If you do this, ALL of the trailer weight is lifted by the tractor during hook-up and the landing gear can be raised with one finger. If you've never thought about it much I guarantee you are dropping trailers too high, just ask any yard switcher.

 

Hate to break it to you, but you don't have a ####ing clue. This was me trying to hook to a trailer after an ####0L3 dropped it using the method you're advocating:

Doesn't work too well like that, does it? It is MUCH easier to lower a trailer that was dropped too high than it is to raise a trailer that was dropped too low...ESPECIALLY if it is loaded. With an air ride trailer, simply hooking up your air lines and supplying air to the trailer will lower the nose another inch or so if you need it.

Lower the landing gears until they just touch the ground. DO NOT "leave a gap". Landing gears SHOULD touch the ground. Now, dump your bags and pull out. "Leaving a gap" drops the trailer too low. Don't dump your bags before lowering the landing gears either, because again, that drops it too low. Not only that, but if you're loaded and let the trailer fall off the 5th wheel plate due to the gap you left, the legs have to catch the weight of the trailer instead of just supporting the weight, and that impact could damage the trailer.

Bottom line, YOU have been the one incorrectly dropping trailers.

 

Or someone with smaller tires.