How to Couple and Uncouple a Fifth Wheel

How to Couple and Uncouple a Fifth Wheel on a prime mover is a skill that should be mastered before a driver get’s their heavy combination licence. Yet there are an increasing number of photos posted on social media of trailers being dropped. We sent our resident trainer-assessor, Howard Shanks, to find out why is this happening and importantly explain the correct procedure to connect and disconnect a prime mover and semi-trailer.
Coupling
Step - 1: Inspect (For Block & Open Jaw)
Before coupling the prime mover to the trailer you should do the following inspection:
Check the trailer skid plate. Has the trailer got a block welded or bolted to the plate behind the kingpin? If so, is the turntable compatible and unlocked?
Check the skid plate, kingpin, turntable, fifth-wheel and jaw for damage and size (i.e. 50mm or 90mm)
Make sure the jaw and wedge are not visible in the throat of the fifth wheel, this is known as the open position. If the jaw and wedge are visible lift the Secondary Safety Latch and move the handle towards the front to release the lock then pull the handle out as far as it will go. With the handle pulled out swing it forward to engage the edge of the plate. Now fifth wheel is in the open position and the jaw and wedge are set to accept the trailer king pin.
For fixed a fifth-wheel make sure the top plate is well greased or Non Metallic plate is not damaged.
For trailers without a block the turntable will need to be in the locked position and the top of the fifth-wheel well greased.

[@davidspez7267]

Awesome video. Thank you for the informative and detailed video.

[@rubyleesanders8300]

AWESOME VIDEO 👍

[@AustralianRoadTrains]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@pandasmith962]

I'm a beginner of semi trailer in Panda Mech, this video greatly helps me, thank u!

[@Fullnoise]

Great video, there's only one problem. It's in English. This video should be mandatory viewing for all of those two-bob operations that churn out "drivers" thanks to our wonderful government subsidies.

[@nbtmx1]

To be honest if you can't speak english you shouldn't be driving them.