Can anyone help here?
I seem to recall that when I was driving for wincanton we were told that we couldn’t extend the neck of the trailers unless we were pulling a 45ft container,at all other times it was to be left pushed in as there was some kind of vosa/hse regulation about this.However,i can’t seem to find bugger all info on this,was that simply a company policy that they were being funny about(one of many) or is there actual legislation of sorts?
Any info would be quite handy.
When we had them at Blake’s they kept getting damaged when they were left out.
Always ran with mine out to stop the air lines getting snagged on the front locks when turning round
Charlie Foxtrot:
Can anyone help here?
I seem to recall that when I was driving for wincanton we were told that we couldn’t extend the neck of the trailers unless we were pulling a 45ft container,at all other times it was to be left pushed in as there was some kind of vosa/hse regulation about this.However,i can’t seem to find bugger all info on this,was that simply a company policy that they were being funny about(one of many) or is there actual legislation of sorts?
Any info would be quite handy.
Dont think it would be a VOSA/HSA thing as it wouldnt be classed as an overhang, its only there to make dropping a trailer with a 45’ box on easier.
1 thing ive been told is, that if ya running with an empty sliding skelly, the rear arms have to be folded down or the rear under run needs to be pulled out, but thats prob a MMTM thing.
weeto:
Charlie Foxtrot:
Can anyone help here?
I seem to recall that when I was driving for wincanton we were told that we couldn’t extend the neck of the trailers unless we were pulling a 45ft container,at all other times it was to be left pushed in as there was some kind of vosa/hse regulation about this.However,i can’t seem to find bugger all info on this,was that simply a company policy that they were being funny about(one of many) or is there actual legislation of sorts?
Any info would be quite handy.Dont think it would be a VOSA/HSA thing as it wouldnt be classed as an overhang, its only there to make dropping a trailer with a 45’ box on easier.
1 thing ive been told is, that if ya running with an empty sliding skelly, the rear arms have to be folded down or the rear under run needs to be pulled out, but thats prob a MMTM thing.
so, if it is empty skelly, the rear bolsters need folding over, or the bumper pulled out?
if that was the case, surely, the bumper should be pulled out at all times then? 
it sounds like your mate has got chattering testicles again 
Don’t think there is a legal requirement to use or not use, but as posted, if they are left out, damage does get done if the trailer is dropped when loaded. Leaves the pull out bar at risk of damage from the fifth wheel, you have only got to look and see how many have grease on to see how close to real damage it came.
On the recommendation of our trailer fitter, I have always run with the rear twistlocks up if running empty or with a 20’ on. If the assembly is flipped over, the weight of the assembly vibrates against the 5mm pin which can break, dropping the twistlock onto the road
OVLOV JAY:
Always ran with mine out to stop the air lines getting snagged on the front locks when turning round
Never even considered that in honesty… Will be keeping my eye out for them snagging!
We rarely seem to get 45’s at our place so iv not had the pleasure of doing it… in total honesty i only noticed it did pull out when i saw a trailer with a 45 on!! 
bigdennis:
Don’t think there is a legal requirement to use or not use, but as posted, if they are left out, damage does get done if the trailer is dropped when loaded. Leaves the pull out bar at risk of damage from the fifth wheel, you have only got to look and see how many have grease on to see how close to real damage it came.
On the recommendation of our trailer fitter, I have always run with the rear twistlocks up if running empty or with a 20’ on. If the assembly is flipped over, the weight of the assembly vibrates against the 5mm pin which can break, dropping the twistlock onto the road
I leave them in the ‘up’ position as well, only fold them in if i have a 20ft on and need to get it into the load position. If the truth be known though its because iv never even considered that they need to be tucked away
BigDennis is right about losing the twistlocks I’ve lost two and now run with the arms out all the time. I also usually run with the neck out to stop the Suzzies getting snagged but I rarely drop the trailer.
bigdennis:
Don’t think there is a legal requirement to use or not use, but as posted, if they are left out, damage does get done if the trailer is dropped when loaded. Leaves the pull out bar at risk of damage from the fifth wheel, you have only got to look and see how many have grease on to see how close to real damage it came.
^^ This
I’ve seen them bent where drivers who don’t use the air suspension when dropping a trailer, wind the legs down, release pin, and go, trailer drops with a thump and the bracket catches on the 5th wheel, sometimes quite hard as the unit suspension goes up as the trailer neck is still going down.
Not a major problem if the drivers use the air suspension when dropping a trailer, but even then, if I’m picking 1 up, I’d always put it back in 1st - unless it’s got a 45’ on
Always pull mine out to stop the airlines from stretching, or snagging, shove it back in when dropping the trailer.