Talking Shop: The Just Talking Thread

“This setback is a set-up for a comeback”

I like that expression. Shows a great attitude and resilience.

So what exactly happened? Did you not GOAL when you should have? How much damage? A few more details would be good.

“This setback is a set-up for a comeback”

I like that expression. Shows a great attitude and resilience.

So what exactly happened? Did you not GOAL when you should have? How much damage? A few more details would be good.

While in the contractor's lot, I was searching for a place to park the trailer and when I traveled to an area to make a right turn, I did not swing wide enough to compensate for the opposing stationary trailer on my right and instead I went diagonally.

Maestro, lesson learned. I did exactly the same thing early on when I started with Schneider. I’d venture to say it’s one of the most common rookie mishaps.

I just took my beating and promised myself that it wouldn’t happen again and it hasn’t. You’re probably be paranoid about it from now on, but a little paranoia and a little fear are beneficial in this business.

Swing wide and watch that trailer rear end!

How often should I be greasing my fifth wheel?

How often should I be greasing my fifth wheel?

I grease mine on an as needed basis when I am uncoupled and can get a look at it. If I notice any bare metal or any signs of oxidation (rust), I grease it.

I never keep records of that, but it probably gets greased about every two weeks. I think it’s good to stay ahead of the game and grease it before those symptoms show up.

If my tractor seems jerky when I’m backing up, I will check the fifth wheel and usually grease it. It’s really important to keep the friction between the trailer king pin plate and the fifth wheel to a minimum for the smooth operation of the rig. But don’t overdue it on the amount of grease or you’ll get gobs of scraped off grease all over the place.

I have a question for any driver out there. Do any of you use a Teflon disc for lubrication like we do on our 5th wheel rv trailer? We have seen them advertised but we have not seen one in operation anywhere. I would think that they would not hold up long because of the weight on the 5th wheel. Thanks for any replies as I am just curious.

I have a question for any driver out there. Do any of you use a Teflon disc for lubrication like we do on our 5th wheel rv trailer? We have seen them advertised but we have not seen one in operation anywhere. I would think that they would not hold up long because of the weight on the 5th wheel. Thanks for any replies as I am just curious.

There are Teflon coated fifth wheels from the factory. Someone posted a while ago about getting a truck with one. I’ve not seen one yet.

I have a question for any driver out there. Do any of you use a Teflon disc for lubrication like we do on our 5th wheel rv trailer? We have seen them advertised but we have not seen one in operation anywhere. I would think that they would not hold up long because of the weight on the 5th wheel. Thanks for any replies as I am just curious.

All our trucks run Holland fifth wheels with the teflon plate inserts. Most of our rigs stay hooked so they hold up well, even considering that our New York fleets run grossed at either 107k or 117k. The real issue you have to watch for is the plates sit down in a shallow channel on the fifth wheel, and if you happen to lose one, the trailer pivoting will grind the edge of that channel right down, ruining the fifth wheel in less than a hundred miles.

I have seen some slick plates on flatbed trailers, drivers seemed to like them.

Thanks for replies drivers. I was just curious because I use the Teflon discs fod my 5th wheel trailer. I lube all zerk fittings and some grease on the roller pin areas but the 5th wheel gets a new disc every year.

I always get a little concerned when I'm driving through a rural area near a small town and my GPS says to turn on main Street because I know that it's gonna look just like this and basically every other Street in the town is gonna be a no go for me.

Had this exact thing happen in Illinois. Somewhere around Nauvoo. I had to make a right turn there. Thankfully it was late so no cars. I used up 100% of that street plus a foot of sidewalk to make that turn. No Bueno.