I’m gonna be honest here and say I rarely get under to check that the pin is in situ and the jaws are locked. I’ve only ever done it if something doesn’t “feel or sound right” whilst coupling up. Today however I’ve been demoted/promoted out of my MAN and into a big cab Actros and I’ve pulled two different trailers and got out and physically checked both times because they didn’t sound quite right as they clicked in.
Both times everything was ok but it surprised me that two different 5th wheels (same manufacturer) can sound and feel so different.
Also, is it me or have AKW “upped their game” (I use that expression lightly) on the wage front? Advertising Class 2/Class1 jobs at £7.25/£8 per hour. Sure it used to be £<7/£7.25?
Dounut!! But it’s something we all worry about… I seen a lad pull out of a yard I was working at got maybe a 100 feet and oooooops there it went now I check check then check again
Now this is a very interesting post for me as I was doing some shunting in the yard at wkend for the first time.
I am a class 2 driver, was shown by other driver to lower unit until fifth wheel was under the trailer, then raise suspension until legs were up in the air, reverse in 2 tug tests, apply parking brake in cab check handle, fit dog clip, connect suzies, lift legs then level suspension off, the worrying thing was no one say’s anything about trailer break of double check behind kingpin, Iooks like I need to be doing this visual check up the arse of the unit as someone put it and TRAILER BRAKE!!!
A visual check is good, especially if you are not used to the unit you are driving, however, your ears will tell you if it has coupled correctly followed by a tug test. When I first started working in Holland I picked a trailer up on my assessment, and the driver trainer had never seen it done like that, shortly afterwards the drivers manual was edited to include a tug test.
Some joker had pulled the release lever then put the clip in to prevent it releasing the locking bar on the unit I was given today, very glad I routinely do a visual check. Got back to the depot tonight to see some poor sod trying to raise a trailer off its knees. Strongly suspect some ■■■■ has been dicking about with 5th wheels
kaode:
Now this is a very interesting post for me as I was doing some shunting in the yard at wkend for the first time.
I am a class 2 driver, was shown by other driver to lower unit until fifth wheel was under the trailer, then raise suspension until legs were up in the air, reverse in 2 tug tests, apply parking brake in cab check handle, fit dog clip, connect suzies, lift legs then level suspension off, the worrying thing was no one say’s anything about trailer break of double check behind kingpin, Iooks like I need to be doing this visual check up the arse of the unit as someone put it and TRAILER BRAKE!!!
You won’t find that many shunters (or drivers actually) bothering with the trailer brake.
The trailer brakes will come on automatically when you pull out the airline & release automatically when you put it back in. Just this way if you forget to put the unit brake on you’ll be ■■■■■■. I always make sure the trailer brake has been pulled before coupling, just for my own personal piece of mind.
I reckon you’d almost get that unit under that without any leg winding. Axle down. Drop suspension, drop trailer suspension, might just get get the lip higher than the back end of the riser rails.
Also I’m not sure that that unit is the one that’s dropped it. Surely it would have ripped the mud wing tops off?
kaode:
Now this is a very interesting post for me as I was doing some shunting in the yard at wkend for the first time.
I am a class 2 driver, was shown by other driver to lower unit until fifth wheel was under the trailer, then raise suspension until legs were up in the air, reverse in 2 tug tests, apply parking brake in cab check handle, fit dog clip, connect suzies, lift legs then level suspension off, the worrying thing was no one say’s anything about trailer break of double check behind kingpin, Iooks like I need to be doing this visual check up the arse of the unit as someone put it and TRAILER BRAKE!!!
You won’t find that many shunters (or drivers actually) bothering with the trailer brake.
The trailer brakes will come on automatically when you pull out the airline & release automatically when you put it back in. Just this way if you forget to put the unit brake on you’ll be [zb]. I always make sure the trailer brake has been pulled before coupling, just for my own personal piece of mind.
Be very careful. If the shunt button is faulty and you don’t use the parking brake, the trailer will slide off the back .
If you’re shunting around a yard I wouldn’t do a visual check of the jaws. After a few goes you get to know the sound to listen for and can tell if something’s not right.
kaode:
Now this is a very interesting post for me as I was doing some shunting in the yard at wkend for the first time.
I am a class 2 driver, was shown by other driver to lower unit until fifth wheel was under the trailer, then raise suspension until legs were up in the air, reverse in 2 tug tests, apply parking brake in cab check handle, fit dog clip, connect suzies, lift legs then level suspension off, the worrying thing was no one say’s anything about trailer break of double check behind kingpin, Iooks like I need to be doing this visual check up the arse of the unit as someone put it and TRAILER BRAKE!!!
You won’t find that many shunters (or drivers actually) bothering with the trailer brake.
The trailer brakes will come on automatically when you pull out the airline & release automatically when you put it back in. Just this way if you forget to put the unit brake on you’ll be [zb]. I always make sure the trailer brake has been pulled before coupling, just for my own personal piece of mind.
Be very careful. If the shunt button is faulty and you don’t use the parking brake, the trailer will slide off the back .
If you’re shunting around a yard I wouldn’t do a visual check of the jaws. After a few goes you get to know the sound to listen for and can tell if something’s not right.
Thats what i was thinking but when I asked passing fitter he said trailer break comes on/off automaticy when red airline is connected/disconnected, However I will be checking all our trailers to see where the brake is, thanks for the advice.
Your fitter is correct. He’s a ■■■■■■■ idiot but he’s right.
The trailer brake does come on when you unplug the Suzie.
However, if you’ve left the parking brake on the unit off when you connect up you’ll know about it for a few seconds then you may not know anything else for the rest of your life.
Laziness and complacency causes accidents. Pull the trailer brake when you uncouple the trailer.
Check the trailer brake before you couple up.
It’s honest to god not worth your life for the few seconds it takes to out the brake on
