Tough Lesson Learned, And SO Embarrassed

You may have been embarrassed but you learned something vary valuable. And you also taught me something to make sure I always check when I start driving thank you for sharing.

I agree, thank you, as a soon to be going to CDL School driver I am so thankful you shared this, hopefully Before I go to pull the load I'll remember to do that.

John M.

John M., repeat after me: "I will go under my trailer and check my locking jaws every time, without fail."

Been there, done that ...in the yard, where everyone could see. The apron landed on top of my rear drives. Worked up a good sweat and heart rate cranking the handle in low gear.

Hi, Everyone! Taking my 10 in the middle of nowhere, I80, WB, WY!

-mountain girl

Although I have never seen a build-up of muck on the kingpin, I do give it a quick visual before gettin' under the wagon.

True this ^^^^

Grease from the 5th & apron can get shoved up into the locking jaw area as you're connecting up. The jaws/mechanism does get lubed also during PM's. Over time the dirt and gunk built up, can prevent the jaws from completely closing.

OTOH - as I (and others) have mentioned - if you do a visual on the jaws, make sure the locking lever is all the way in and the latch is over it - you're probably good to go.

After hooking a box a few (hundred) times - you take it for granted that you get that good solid THUNK in, and figure you're locked up.

NEVER TAKE IT FOR GRANTED - ALWAYS VISUALLY INSPECT THE JAWS AND LOCKING LEVER.

Rick

Rick wrote:

NEVER TAKE IT FOR GRANTED - ALWAYS VISUALLY INSPECT THE JAWS AND LOCKING LEVER.

On the same page with yah Rick. Can't stress it enough...totally agree.

Rick wrote:

NEVER TAKE IT FOR GRANTED - ALWAYS VISUALLY INSPECT THE JAWS AND LOCKING LEVER.

On the same page with yah Rick. Can't stress it enough...totally agree.

...unless you're a yard dog. LOL. I actually had to break the habit of visually checking when I started this position. Of course I still visually check whenever I deliver store loads in the daycabs.

Rick wrote:

NEVER TAKE IT FOR GRANTED - ALWAYS VISUALLY INSPECT THE JAWS AND LOCKING LEVER.

On the same page with yah Rick. Can't stress it enough...totally agree.

...unless you're a yard dog. LOL. I actually had to break the habit of visually checking when I started this position. Of course I still visually check whenever I deliver store loads in the daycabs.

Not so far to fall,...landing gear is down. LOL...forgot about your new job. Woof..."Critter".

Yeah, makes a huge difference when the landing gear is down--it's designed to take some abuse. Quite often we literally "drop" trailers in spots, slamming the landing gear down into the ground--we always lower the fifth wheel all the way before we unhook, but sometimes it's not enough because the previous driver didn't lower the landing gear all the way before dropping.

As far as hooking up, we always listen for the click and do a tug test. Also, "look before you hook." If the trailer is too high, I'll back just slightly under and raise the fifth wheel until it lifts the trailer off the ground, then back in til it clicks. I did high hook once--I backed under a little too far, so when I raised the fifth wheel, the kingpin landed on top of the side of the fifth wheel. Then when I backed up, the king pin slid all the way off the fifth wheel. I also forgot to unhook my air lines a couple times--pulled away from the trailer and *POP*... Thankfully we don't use electrical lines, so the air lines just pop off and no damage is done.

My streak continues.... Today I tried to drive away with the landing gear still down. Got a full block before I realized why things didn't feel quite right. I guess I got distracted pre tripping the trailer and forgot the landing gear. Ever since dropping that trailer, I have changed my routine and the order I do things. Landing gear used to be first.... I have GOT to cut this out and get back in my groove before I really screw something up.

My streak continues.... Today I tried to drive away with the landing gear still down. Got a full block before I realized why things didn't feel quite right. I guess I got distracted pre tripping the trailer and forgot the landing gear. Ever since dropping that trailer, I have changed my routine and the order I do things. Landing gear used to be first.... I have GOT to cut this out and get back in my groove before I really screw something up.

So...now make your routine; check locking jaws, landing gear, lines.

Start from the back and go forward and you won't miss anything.

You are distracting yourself cause of this screw uo. And that is dangerous. Big deal..you messed up without causing any serious damage...except to your ego. Get over it, cause if you dwell on it you could get into a serious accident by being distracted.

Any BTW....we all make mistakes, especially when new. What makes you think you are sooooo special that you shouldn't make mistakes when the rest of us do?

(Ur special...just not free from mistake expectations) hahwhahah

Kat, seems like you have a few things going on. You may want to spend some of your down time figuring out what's distracting you so you can get it out of the way. The safest place to be distracted is in your sleeper berth. Not when you're hooking up, not when you're pre-tripping and not when driving down the highway. Also, human beings tend to be creatures of habit, I know I certainly am. You offered your own solution: get back to your routine. If you don't quite have one yet that you feel is sufficient, then make the necessary adjustments. If you're like most people, when you do something the same way every time you'll be much less likely to forget something. I see you post a lot, so you know there is plenty of valuable info on this site. Find what works for you and stick with it. I was taught the following two acronyms: PAL and LAP

When Picking up a trailer - PIN (check the pin connection visually WITH a flashlight, jaws locked, arm in, you know the drill) AIR - hook up air and electrical lines, LANDING gear, crank it up. Pin,Air,Landing gear. Now your trailer is hooked and you can proceed with pretripping your trailer.

When Leaving a trailer LAP. Opposite of above. After backing in to your space, Landing gear, crank it down. Air and electrical lines disconnected. Pin, release the pin. That way your trailer will not take a nose dive when you drive out from under and no lines will snap back like a slingshot into the back of your truck since you can't drive off without releasing the pin.

I know all of that is simple and basic, hope it doesn't come across as condescending. That's what works for me but there is more than one way of doing things and I'm sure you'll get more ideas from other drivers. The best way is the way that works best for you. Good luck!

PAL / LAP. Thanks for that one putting that in my notes.