Question:
Last night I was leaving the Wheeler Ridge CA Petro (the one with the Starbucks across the street ) and came-up behind a Wal-Mart truck stopped on the overpass.
His trailer had slipped off the fifth wheel as he pulled the incline on that part of the overpass.
The hoses and pigtail were still connected, but the trailer was on the (now twisted) landing gear, which was probably now too damaged to crank the trailer up enough to get it on the truck again.
The landing gear's feet left a good two-foot gouge in the concrete pavement.
The poor driver had his interior cab light on and was talking on his cell phone....
Since it's unlikely he just hooked that trailer at the truck stop, someone probably messed with his truck while he wasn't looking -- pulled the fifth wheel while he was inside...whatever...
Probably some psycho who hates Walmart, an ex-Walmart driver...who knows...
You hardly ever see drivers checking to see if someone's pulled their fifth wheel handle before taking off.....but we should.
It's SOOOO easy for someone to sabotage a truck by simply sticking their hand in there and pulling it as they walk by.
Good thing this Wal-Mart driver lost the triler before he got out on the big road. Can you imagine it coming off as he braked at 60mph?
Check that handle.
Also...you can basically 'lock' the handle by tugging on the trailer before setting the tractor brakes.
Most fifth wheel handles won't pull if there's forward torgue on the kingpin.
1. Set trailer brakes. **
2. Tug with the clutch slipping while you...
3. Set the tractor brake.
** If the trailer parking brake dumps the trailer airbags (some do, some don't), wait for the trailer to lower before doing the tug. The trailer's suspension 'hinge' moves the wheels slightly as it lowers, and may eliminate the torque you're trying to create if you don't let it lower fully before tugging and setting the truck brakes.


Answer:
it's funny you tell this story i been getting a little concern about some1 pulling my 5th wheel so i get out and look alot now. and i even lock my trailor brakes and back into the the king pin to make sure it's locked in place. i guess my concern about my trailor coming off the back started when i made a honest mistake and cut off another driver in a walmart parking lot and he got on the cb and threaten that sometime threw the night he would tamper with my trailor. so i been doing a walk around alot more these days more than i use to. you might see me broke down on the side of the rode but never with a dropped trailor.

Answer:
I know -- and the more you think about it, the worse it gets. The whole tailer depends on something the size of a coke can locked into those teeth....
But I guess, if you're going to get paranoid about somjething, this isn't a bad thing to go crazy over.... I'd rather check a thousand times and find it's ok, than let a trailer fall off...
(I mis-read your post at first -- you're talking about backing into it to make sure it's locked, not to keep the handle from pulling, right?)
"Which country?...ha...ha...ha..."
Bush's response to a reporter who asked when we're going to war. ha ha ha
[This message was edited by Shuffler on January 26, 2003 at 00:33.]

Answer:
that a driver has to be concerned with someone pulling his 5th wheel or removing his airlines, cranking down his landing gear etc as a "joke". but these things have happened and will continue to happen. Some people dont seem to have enough to do so they have time for these childish and dangerous games.
Only two things I know of are infinite. The universe and human stupidity, and I am not real sure about the universe.
Answer:
That could be a criminal offence what if that trailer rolled back into a car and killed somebody people that do pranks like this should have their nuts cut off.
A simple tug test would let you know right away or like meantion lock up the trailer brakes and back up.
GL

Answer:
I had this happen to me about 5 years ago came very close to dumping it on the ground..Ever since I always check it.

Answer:
That's the thing. It's not a "prank". Anyone who does this is trying to either kill or mame, or at the very least, cause a major property damage accident.
Sadly, it's the driver's responsibility if his trailer falls off -- he/she is supposed to check for this. That Wal-Mart driver will be charged with a preventable acident -- you can count on that -- and could have been charged with manslaughter if the worst case had happened. It's your responsibility to make sure that trailer's secured to the truck. The fact that someone pulled it when you weren't looking is not an acceptable excuse.

Answer:
this has had me worried from day one. I load the handle with grease and when I have to unhook I use a tandem puller. I also tug whenever I park. I pity the fool I catch messing with my truck. Industrial strength pepper spray, the kind used against bears in the wild country, is what's in store for him

Answer:
Is pepper spary illegal on trucks
IF YOUR NOT IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL GO HOME!!! Loner

Answer:
I don't know if it's illegal or not, but I've carried a big can with me for over 12yrs.
I also have a little keychain sprayer on my keychain that I carry with me when I get out of the trk.

Answer:
Ever since the truck strikes by the independents in the 70's I usually always check the 5th with a good "tug test". If any doubts I get out with the flashlight and check it. Should be part of your pre-trip. And it's not a hard habit to get into. Just remember:If the world did'nt suck, you'd fall off!
The more I see and read about Republicans and Democrats, the more I wish we had an Independent Party.
IMPEACH BUSH!!!!!!!!!!

Answer:
Well, Hoss told me that one time, he dumped a trailer,but it wasnt because someone had pulled his pin. Apparently,he left a customer, and got a few miles down the road, and around a few corners. I dont remember what it was,but he said it was something mechanical that had broke with the plate.Seems a jaw broke from excessive wear or something.
As for me, having been at Swift, which is 'the' evil of the universe, thats one of the things you learn to do, is to check your pin...
Now, tugging a tank,its still habit, but even moreso. Its one thing to drop a van, but to drop an un-baffeled,loaded tank...
RC
Proud to be a Truck Dweller!
The most dedicated truck driver, to the single minded pursuit of cheap thrills."Cats are intended to teach us that not everything in nature has a function."
(Ret) Member, Happy Dweller Society,
Owner Operator Division

Answer:
Re the pepper spray...
I don't know if it is legal to carry in the States or not... but don't you boys get caught with it if you ever do cross the border.
US Customs won't let us Canadian drivers in if we have pepper spray.
Dadburnit, and I've got a full can of the industrial strength bear pepper spray too that is going to waste.
Meebee I can use it on steak?

Answer:
Ohh wouldn't want to drop a unbaffled tank I could see what happens all the liquid rushes to the front and you got a cannon of what ever is in the tank.
I like the grease idea I would mix some "Jimmy oil" into it so the black won't come off their hand for weeks.
GL

Answer:
Was approached by a driver in a trailer yard about 6 weeks ago. Seems he didn't like me parking my trailer (new '03 Stoughton dry van) near his company's reefers. I told him I wasn't aware of any assigned areas, just used an open space and usually parked next to a trailer for a reference point. Came back for trailer a few days later, hooked up, couldn't move the trailer! Got out, air blasting out emergency (red) trailer line, neatly cut off at the fitting. Well, easily fixed, only 10 minutes late to shipper. Back a couple weeks later, returned to trailer and did usual walk-around. This time, written on back door of my trailer, was sign "F*** Me, I'm Gay". OK, called wife who wrote lessor a letter ending my space rental. Found a new yard and hopefully better neighbors.