Tech Tip: Fifth Wheel Coupling And Uncoupling Procedures - Drivers - Trucking Info

Greasing helps to shield the fifth wheel plate from agents of corrosion such as air, water, and moisture. Lubricate the inside of the drawbar eye ball cup (6) directly through the grease nipple (18). Completely lower and stow the trailer jacks, allowing the weight to settle onto the tow vehicle. Unlock and remove the tethered lock pin, if applicable (Figure 16). Both the upper and lower fifth wheels are well designed to allow vertical and rotational movements between the trailer and the tractor. Protect Coupling Ball and Anchor Edge onto Ball. Air lines properly connected to glad hands, no air leaks, properly secured with enough slack for turns. DO NOT raise trailer off of the fifth wheel.

Upper And Lower Fifth Wheel Packages

TruckingTruth's Advice: No space should ever be visible between the fifth wheel plate and the trailer. The front of the trailer (fig. You should hear the brakes move when applied and air escape when the brakes are released. Wrong coupling and uncoupling can be very dangerous. Simply click in your answer to each CDL practice test question.

Best Fifth Wheel Layout

Terms in this set (5). Raise the trailer landing gear slightly off the ground and pull the tractor gently forward with the trailer brakes set to be sure you are connected. 8 – Uncoupling a Gooseneck Hitch. Unlock Lock Pin and Open Latch. C. Fifth wheel locks must be closed around the trailer kingpin with 1/4 inch. These can be chosen to fit virtually any family size. As you slow down, monitor your tractor and trailer and back off the brakes (if it is safe to do so) to stay in control. Release handle is in extended "open" position. You may also like: 45 RV Accessory Must-Haves for Your Travel Trailer <<. Download Manuals & Service Guides. All locking pins present and locked in place.

Fifth Wheel For Pickup

Perform a pull test as an initial check by locking the trailer brakes and pulling forward with the tractor to make sure that tractor-trailer separation does not occur. The landing gear is 1 to 3 inches above the ground. Put parking brakes on. Keep legs and feet clear of the rear tractor wheels to avoid serious injury in case the vehicle moves. Check the brakes on a double or triple trailer as you would any combination vehicle. A. Nut and washer must be snug against the fifth wheel casting. Control its speed and direction. Wheel tilted down toward rear of tractor. Rotate handle to this position (Fig.

Upper And Lower Fifth Wheel

The computer senses impending lockup, reduces the braking pressure to a safe level, and you maintain control. Most new fifth wheel motorhomes will range in cost from $15, 000 to $80, 000. Make sure surface of parking area can support weight of trailer. Check to make sure there is about 3 to 6 inches of space between the fifth wheel plate and the trailer.

High End Fifth Wheel

Pull gently on the trailer with the tractor to check that the trailer emergency brakes are on. Pay careful attention to the yoke tips, cam profile, yoke shaft, secondary lock, release handle, and kingpin locking jaws. If you do not achieve a proper couple, repeat the coupling procedure. We've all seen it and we definitely don't want our drivers to be in that position. Raise Trailer Coupler. If the coupling isn't right, don't drive the coupled unit; get it fixed. Use low gear range (if so equipped) to begin raising the landing gear. Excessive amounts of water and oil. Dual Concentric Liquid Fifth Wheel (Model 9688). Make sure ground is supporting trailer. Lock Safety Screw and Tighten Self-Locking Nut. Top clearance may be a concern under low hanging branches or low structures, a problem compounded when carrying items on the roof. An unobstructed circular opening through the center of the entire assembly allows the passage of product piping through the unit. Position the tractor and trailer, in straight alignment, on firm, level ground clear of obstacles and persons.

Inspect fifth wheel mechanism. Look under the vehicle for the ECU and wheel speed sensor wires coming from the back of the brakes. If either above conditions do not exist, repeats Steps 4 – 6. Make sure that the Gooseneck ball is properly lubricated. Fully retract the landing gear legs off the ground and secure the crank handle. This is in part due to the comparably inexpensive purchasing price compared to other types of RV equal to it in luxury and space, such as the Class A motorhome, and in part due to its incredible array of customizable features. 2 – Braking with ABS.

Release arm properly seated and safety latch/lock engaged. Often feature a panoramic window at the back of the RV. Ease Pressure on Locking Jaws. It can be used to join motor vehicle tractors and tank type semi-trailers, in-lieu of the conventional type Fifth Wheel/King Pin connection. On top of that, there is also the possible cost of cargo damage AND downtime. No gap is permissible between the trailer upper coupler plate and the fifth wheel.

Clearance, side marker, and brake lights are located on. Protect the part that is still visible of the coupling ball (5) with the rubber dust proof bellows protection cover (7). The air could leak out of the trailer air tank, releasing its emergency brakes. Clean grease grooves if a large amount of debris is present. Lower the landing gear until the pads just touch the ground. Remove Safety Lock screw and Rotate Safety Cover Bar. Failure to keep the fifth wheel plate lubricated could cause steering problems because of friction between the tractor and trailer.

ABS does not necessarily shorten your stopping distance, but it does help you keep the vehicle under control during hard braking.