Teflon fifth-wheel plates

UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUMS THE UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUM (INTERACTIVE)
1

Has anyone used one of these teflon plates in place of grease on the fifth wheel?

I’ve been thinking about investing in some for a while, but I’ve had some concerns such as:

  • Does it affect the handling in any way (I.e. possibly slightly increased resistance)?
  • How long do they last typically?
  • Will they stand up to regular trailer changes, or are they best left to trucks which are generally mated to a single trailer most of the time?
  • Will the other drivers laugh at us because we have a bit of a kitchen utensil on our trucks? :stuck_out_tongue:

Any comments?

TIA.

2

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=11069&start=0

Here is one we fitted earlier :wink:

3

And there I was thinking it was an early April fools joke :stuck_out_tongue:

4

they have been around for quite a few years now, one issue i would have thought was, if you change trailers regularly, you are bound to pick up a trailer that has been coupled to a conventional fifth wheel and the underside is covered in grease, surely, this would make the teflon fifth wheel a waste of money

5

I had one on a race transporter for years, great for that job where you always use the same trailer and rarely uncouple and didn’t want grease getting all over the place.

I can’t really help you how they’d work in general haulage work, although I don’t they’d be worth it if you are pulling different trailers unless they are all grease free.

6

Wouldn’t the kingpin have to be teflon as well??

7

Recy_Mech:
Wouldn’t the kingpin have to be teflon as well??

No the flat liner just fastens onto the trailer landing plate with a steel clip.

lubeliner.com/standard.shtml

Other types are polymer runners fastened to the Fifth Wheel plate.

lubeliner.com/fiveslide.shtml

Like a frying pan, they are non stick, they reduce friction and make the turntable slippery with or without grease.

8

well the second trailor on my b-train uses a teflon liner…and i notice no difference in handling,cleaner as no grease to worry about…as the trailor is very rarely uncoupled it looks as good as new(3yr old)
only thing if uncoupling/coupling up you have to be a bit careful as not to damage.

9

Salserve (division of Christian Salvesen) had teflon sheets
they never swapped trailers all done to provide M&S with
a clean image
the fridges ran on gas

all this around late 1980s early 90s

10

Haven’t used one but it would be interesting to know how they get the Teflon to stick to the plate :laughing:

11

MrHappy:
Haven’t used one but it would be interesting to know how they get the Teflon to stick to the plate :laughing:

HaHa, they use special teflon glue made out of bacon fat

12

Our two volvos have had these on since they were new (57&58 plates) and have been no bother at all, at bit of grease on them does not make a difference theres always a bit of grease in the middle, as the jaws still have to be greased,also care has to be taken when connecting up as i have heard they can be knocked off,a bit of education on how to pick up a trailer with an air suspension unit helps.
Our are bolted on with 10 8mm flat top special bolts.
Klunk

13

Wheel Nut:

MrHappy:
‘…interesting to know how they get the Teflon to stick to the plate…’

‘…special teflon glue made out of bacon fat…’

Yikes …stand-by for the discrimination police :unamused: