I have been driving different vehicles and when I go to a unit that is not got a trailer on I have not been doing a fifth wheel check in a morning. I was wondering if anybody does a fifth wheel check before coupling and what this consists of?
I check the jaws are open and that there is a dog clip present. Also if it is a sliding 5th wheel that the sliding bar is locked in place and has a dog clip.
Also check for any ovbious signs of damage.
Hello All,
I always check that the jaw is always across the 5th wheel when the trailer in on, and if it’s at night i always pop under with a torch to check.
If the dog clip is missing is it VOR i seem to think it is !!
Ian58:
Make sure it is thereWent to pick up 10 units from a dealer, one had a slight problem!
0
That’s an Upshot of a Tractor Unit without its knickers on !
You can see its Chaff & everything (a bit like Katy Price/Slapper-allegedly)
Might seem obvious but I also check that none of the bolts are missing that secure the fifth wheel to the unit.
Did daf not do a fifth wheel without the Doug clip or am I mistaken
Ghost01:
If the dog clip is missing is it VOR i seem to think it is !!
Depends on the type of 5th-wheel, not all designs have or need a dog clip.
■■■■■■00:
Did daf not do a fifth wheel without the Doug clip or am I mistaken
daf don’t and have never manufactured fifth wheels
I don’t know if it was normal back in the old days (oldest truck I have driven is my current 2003 Scania tractor unit) but when using a 1988 Scania I didn’t realise till I wanted to drop the trailer you had to pull 2 levers.
my 2013 stralis doesn’t have a dog clip on my jost 5th wheel, doesn’t need one got drop down bar. 
Some fit drop down spring clip and dog clip. Only need one or the other
if tramping always carry a padlock similar diameter to dog clip if your 5th wheel has one then if dog clip breaks or is tampered with then you have something suitable to use as a makeshift replacement record in your diary damage or tamper
on daily checks check lever and dog clip are in situ and locked in place
the one and only:
if tramping always carry a padlock similar diameter to dog clip if your 5th wheel has one then if dog clip breaks or is tampered with then you have something suitable to use as a makeshift replacement record in your diary damage or tamper
Or you could just carry a spare dog clip like I always have 
Sorry gents but I have to say that if you believe a 50p ■■■■■ dog clip means the difference between holding or not 30 tonnes or 240 000 newtons of load on the back of a tractor then what can you say!
Even YOU cant believe this ■■■■ please?
mrginge:
I don’t know if it was normal back in the old days (oldest truck I have driven is my current 2003 Scania tractor unit) but when using a 1988 Scania I didn’t realise till I wanted to drop the trailer you had to pull 2 levers.
I think you’ll find the second lever is for sliding the plate forwards and backwards.
Um Bking that’s a pretty unnecessary rant tbh, no one has said the dogclip is holding the trailer in place, that’s the job of the jaws surely? As I’m sure you well know the clip (or spring loaded drop down bar) is designed to prevent the lever jumping out that’s all.
Not trying to be argumentative its just I’m failing to see what point you were trying to put across.
Bking:
Sorry gents but I have to say that if you believe a 50p [zb] dog clip means the difference between holding or not 30 tonnes or 240 000 newtons of load on the back of a tractor then what can you say!Even YOU cant believe this [zb] please?
I’m sure no-one believes the dog clip keeps the trailer on, but it (or something similar) is required on some 5th wheels to prevent the release lever jumping into the unlocked position.
Perhaps we should put your post down to the fact it was posted in the early hours
Bking:
Sorry gents but I have to say that if you believe a 50p [zb] dog clip means the difference between holding or not 30 tonnes or 240 000 newtons of load on the back of a tractor then what can you say!Even YOU cant believe this [zb] please?
30 tonnes or 240000 newtons…eh?
bigtruck:
mrginge:
I don’t know if it was normal back in the old days (oldest truck I have driven is my current 2003 Scania tractor unit) but when using a 1988 Scania I didn’t realise till I wanted to drop the trailer you had to pull 2 levers.I think you’ll find the second lever is for sliding the plate forwards and backwards.
That’s what I originally thought but it wasn’t. I just assumed that must be how it used to be.