Advice On Heavy Load Please

Speaking of stopping distances, AS ALWAYS, be aware of those four wheelers. They tend to think that space in front of you is of no use to you, so they'll take it, whether or not you might ACTUALLY need it.

Dave

When you're going to slide your 5th wheel you should wait until you're empty. Even then, put the trailer legs down and crank on the arm in low gear to get pretty much all of the weight off the 5th wheel. If you try to slide that thing with a lot of weight on it you'll have a heck of a time getting it to move.

When you're going to slide your 5th wheel you should wait until you're empty. Even then, put the trailer legs down and crank on the arm in low gear to get pretty much all of the weight off the 5th wheel. If you try to slide that thing with a lot of weight on it you'll have a heck of a time getting it to move.

I couldn't get it to slide, the pins wouldn't release for nothing. I was able to take everyone's advice and delivered 44,000 pounds of.... Nuts for Hershey to the forwarder in Laredo. That's gonna make alot of candy bars 😁 . I really appreciate everyone's responses, means alot to have somewhere to go and ask for help.

When you're going to slide your 5th wheel you should wait until you're empty. Even then, put the trailer legs down and crank on the arm in low gear to get pretty much all of the weight off the 5th wheel. If you try to slide that thing with a lot of weight on it you'll have a heck of a time getting it to move.

I couldn't get it to slide, the pins wouldn't release for nothing. I was able to take everyone's advice and delivered 44,000 pounds of.... Nuts for Hershey to the forwarder in Laredo. That's gonna make alot of candy bars 😁 . I really appreciate everyone's responses, means alot to have somewhere to go and ask for help.

Best with me, this can be confusing. One of two things are happening about that fifth wheel locking pins not disengaging.

First, and it's the most likely case, is that the air line isn't connected to your fifth wheel sliding mechanism. It needs air pressure to retract those pins. Take a good look around and you'll see where it should go. It's at the front of the fifth wheel right above the drive shaft clearly visible. Most likely the air line is unplugged and tucked away somewhere along the frame.

Second, you might just need to lube the sliding area and the locking pins and use force. The pins might just be jammed. But don't go overkill on this. It could just be broken.

When you're going to slide your 5th wheel you should wait until you're empty. Even then, put the trailer legs down and crank on the arm in low gear to get pretty much all of the weight off the 5th wheel. If you try to slide that thing with a lot of weight on it you'll have a heck of a time getting it to move.

I couldn't get it to slide, the pins wouldn't release for nothing. I was able to take everyone's advice and delivered 44,000 pounds of.... Nuts for Hershey to the forwarder in Laredo. That's gonna make alot of candy bars 😁 . I really appreciate everyone's responses, means alot to have somewhere to go and ask for help.

When sliding 5th wheel at scales,use low gear to take weight,off the kingpin,then lower suspension,and rock it gently, to get the pins,to release..same concept when sliding tandems. Another trick trainer showed me is to lubricate slide with soap and water,mixed in windex bottle. Doesnt leave any residue to contaminate any 5th wheel componants..works great!

Low gear while cranking the landing gear down,makes it easier. To get weight off the kingpin. Using high gear,would take a body builder,if youve got 45k,in the box, and youd probably damage some parts.

Low gear while cranking the landing gear down,makes it easier. To get weight off the kingpin. Using high gear,would take a body builder,if youve got 45k,in the box, and youd probably damage some parts.

Crank hard enough and you might push a turd lol.

Went from a 15K load of car parts and electronics to a 40K load of paper rolls.

I haul paper at least once a week, so this last load threw me off once I got into the hills of NJ.

I could fly through gears with the first one, felt almost empty.

On our trucks the pins will stick some times if there is weight on the 5th wheel. By the way, why are you all cranking so much? Crank until you hear the leveling valve start bleeding then drop your suspension. Faster and less work for the same results.

Ive had loads,where the excesive weight,on the king pin,prevented,the pins,from unlocking, I had the wheels spinning,and no disengagement. Cranked a few more times,5th. Wheel slid finally.