It Could Have Been Worse...

That definitely could have been worse. Nice save!

I hope others reading this noticed what Danielsahn's procedures were. He checked everything, but it wasn't until he tried pulling his trolley bar, while pulling forward, that his problem appeared. If your truck doesn't have a trolley bar (I think Prime orders them that way) you can keep your trailer brakes set and gently try pulling forward to test that fifth wheel engagement. It's something you should do each time you connect to a trailer.

Really glad to see you got through that unscathed Danielsahn. I know that "Oh S***!" feeling you got is really unnerving. You were very fortunate!

Thanks for posting this experience - it's very educational for new folks getting started at this.

What is weird is he did a tug test, and it held.

Thank you, everyone.

As soon as I saw the front of the trailer lift in a way it was not supposed to, I let go of the trolley and slammed the brakes. Which caused the trailer sort of "pop" up, and over to the side. I was told that one of the other drivers kept rolling, and they had 2 runaway spools as a result. Neek, a nightmare realized, but I will be even more vigilant about things. I cannot wait to get my SSD, and then I will be be married to just that one trailer, all the time. I mentioned in another thread I prefer live loads Now I have another reason to prefer them!

Grumpy, my best guess is that my 5th wheel locking mechanism wasn't fully engaged. Doing the tug test, and then the trolley test, it must have re-opened.

Marc, see what you're missing out on? 😁

One time I did a tug test like always. Tugged twice like always and it seemded good. Got out secured my whole load and raised the landing gear. I got back in the truck and started it up. Then I was about to pull out and thought man I forgot to check the locking jaws and the handle. I looked under and the handles wasn’t in all the way. I then looked at the jaws and they wansnt closed all the way. Close but no cigar. I had to put the landing gear back down and start over. That would have been the end of me.

Thank you for sharing! Even though I check and double check, I'm always nervous pulling away after hooking to a trailer. I really, really like that I don't have to switch trailers anymore. This one stays with me.

If you've ever looked at a king pin close, you've probably noticed that there's an indentation where the bar, or jaws lock across. Always make certain the king pin is seated so that bar, or jaws actually fit into that indent, because otherwise it's not hooked correctly, ... even though it may look like it is,. .and one good pothole can pop it out, and the trailer separates from the tractor while you're rolling down the highway.

My guess is that because of how that trailer was situated, you didn't get a snug fit, even though it seemed to be locked in. I agree with asking a hostler to pull a trailer out when it's sitting so poorly. But then, I'm not big on risks lol.

So glad it wasn't worse. Great hook procedure!