Quick Question About "drop And Hook"

Hello Ladies and Gents,

Im a newly acquired CDL holder. I received my license back in November. I had an interview with a local company yesterday. They want me to do a job shadow to see if its something i really want to do. Once that's done I will be required to do a yard circle check.. basically i will have to demonstrate my knowledge of driving a truck (pre-trips, backing up, proper shifting, drop and hook) which brings me to my question.

In school we were taught how to do the drop hook. Not really something that requires a lot of time to practice so we really didn't spend much time on doing it.. maybe an hour. My instructor told me the best way to know you have the 5th wheel lined with the kingpin is by having the outer rear tire\ lined up with the side of your trailer using your mirrors. He said once you do it repeatedly it becomes second nature. Just wondering if there's other methods people use when lining up with the king pin. I ask because I have only done it once.. Now i will have to demonstrate it to get a job. Thanks.

Your instructor may have been great...but the lineup will be different on 96" and 102" trailers...and some companies are still running the 96",especially in town...So you may want to take that into consideration.

Yeah, that's true. Generally the width of the tires is about the same width as the trailer so if they're lined up you're normally good to go. It wouldn't hurt though to get out and look. Back up until your tires just start to go under the trailer or until you feel some part of the tractor frame contact the trailer. Then go out and have a look to make sure you're lined up right. And don't forget to make sure that the trailer isn't too high. The 5th wheel should be contacting the trailer solidly and preferably lifting the trailer up a little when you back it under. If not, lower that trailer down a bit so the 5th wheel contacts the trailer solidly and doesn't go underneath the kingpin.

Lastly, once you're hooked up, make sure you to a pull test. For those not familiar with it, you essentially want to make sure the kingpin jaws are locked around the kingpin. What you do is keep the trailer brakes set, release the tractor brakes, and lightly let out the clutch just enough to pull against the trailer. If it's locked solid, the tractor won't budge. If it isn't, the truck will want to come out from under the trailer. Do this test while the trailer legs are still down just in case you're not locked in solidly.

New drivers fresh out of school will do things a bit differently than drivers who have been out there for a while so don't think you have to impress any of the veterans by doing things "like a pro". Do things exactly as you were trained in school - by the book. Don't be shy about getting out to look when backing or hooking to a trailer. Don't be shy about double-checking things just to be sure. And don't be shy about asking questions.

What these people will want to know first and foremost is whether or not you seem like the type that's going to be safe out there. If you're thorough, you show you care very much about doing things properly, and you ask a lot of questions then they know you're trying to learn and you're willing to give it all you've got. They already know you're new. They don't expect you to be a pro. But they do expect you to want to be a pro. That effort and attention to detail will help them build confidence in you and it will also encourage people to help you whenever they see the opportunity. Nobody likes dealing with a know-it-all jerk who isn't going to listen or learn. Why waste your time, right? Have a great attitude and show you're there to give it your all. That alone will go a long way.

The comments above are right on; I would add that another way to center the tractor in front of the trailer is to watch both mirrors and have the same amount of "trailer nose" (assuming it's a box type trailer) showing in each mirror. Also, as Brett said, "get out and look" when the drive tires start to go under the trailer. The last thing you want is to jump the king pin over the 5th wheel and get it caught on the front edge. By all means, do the tug test two times, in my opinion. Good luck!

I very much agree with the above points. I take it one step further. I go under the trailer and shine a flashlight up on the locking jaw. If you see any shiney area on the right side of the jaw it ain't right. I have had them pass the tug test, but still the jaw was not fully locked. My tractor went straight in the shop afterward, but it happened.

I agree with actually looking at the locking jaws. I had the same thing happen. It passed the "tug test" but was not completely locked. Always get out and look to make sure they are locked or one day you might get a surprise.