Trailer Socket And Pigtail
Topic 23188 | Page 1
I carry a bag of zip ties with me. I'll get a trailer like that every so often. I'll zip tie the plug into the socket and then report it and get a terminal to fix it when I get the chance. I wouldn't take it upon yourself to try to fix it, just make it work until you get to a company terminal.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
Dang it! A zip tie would have worked like a charm. I'll start carrying some from now on. Thanks Chris.
I do the same thing as Chris.
I'll usually do both, actually. I'll put a strip of gorilla tape (maybe two, depending on how loose the connection is) on the underside of the plug, and then zip tie the sucker together. Putting tape on the plug is also a good quick fix when the problem isnt the socket, but a worn plug that doesn't like to make a good connection on it's own. That'll get you through as many loads as you need it to before you can get to the shop and have it replaced.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
I've had to spread apart the prongs a bit with a screwdriver before but the whole thing popping out was a new one.
Zip ties and I also use wooden coffee stirrers as a shim.
Shim [shim] n. [[< ?]] ✩ a thin, usually wedge-shaped piece of wood, metal, or stone typically inserted under some part so as to level it or make it flush with another part vt. shimmed, shimming to fit with a shim or shims
Shim [shim] n. [[< ?]] ✩ a thin, usually wedge-shaped piece of wood, metal, or stone typically inserted under some part so as to level it or make it flush with another part vt. shimmed, shimming to fit with a shim or shims
Hey thanks Professor...
The “shim” in this case tightens up the play associated with worn a worn connector. A thin “wedge” might be a more appropriate word for how I use the wooden stirrer. Regardless it works.
It's tough when you slipseat day cabs to lug all this stuff back and forth to work every day but it must be done!
Day Cab:
A tractor which does not have a sleeper berth attached to it. Normally used for local routes where drivers go home every night.
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I pulled a trailer last night with a loose cover for the trailer socket. I assume it was a bad spring. The pigtail would not stay connected. I wedged a little something in between the plug and the socket and it stayed put until I got to my destination but I was worried it was going to pop out again. I was constantly checking my mirrors to catch a glimpse of a trailer light. Is there an good and easy fix for a loose cover like that?
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.