Kingpin Locks

I always use one if I drop a trailer, empty or not. Our company had an empty stolen but all turned out well when the thieves brought it back filled with used tires. It's also our company policy. So should something happen to one I dropped without a lock it would cause me to lose my job.

 

I would be more inclined to believe you would stay hooked to a high value load and a kingpin lock just suggests you don't want anyone to take your trailer. Of course I pull a stepdeck and only drop when I'm empty, so it's no mystery why mine has a kingpin lock on anyways, lol.

 

When I worked for Schneider their policy was if you were going to be away from the truck for more than 10 minutes you were to drop the trailer, lock it and then bac the tractor in front if the trailer. I never did though.

 

So how does that work when you back into a slot between two other tractor/trailers and go in to eat/shower?

 

Not sure. Like I said I never locked the kingpin. Haha. If a good movie was on in the drivers lounge I'd sit there and watch it.

 

Just the opposite, as I don't unhook when loaded at a truck stop. Stay with your load.

 

I think a kingpin lock would be the hardest of the three to bypass/remove.

Am I correct?

Mikeeee

 

You are correct.
Staying hooked is only a deterrent...and only slightly harder to get around than a glad hand lock...(witch can sometimes be unlocked with a simple fingernail file)

If someone really wants a trailer that is hooked to a tractor, all they need to do is...

1. simply pull the kingpin latch. If the driver didn't pull against the kingpin before setting the tractor brake it will release, then they can hook to the tractor and drag it out from under the trailer.

2. back up against the front of the tractor and push it backward to relieve the pressure on the king pin, pull the pin and drag the tractor away from the trailer.

The parking brakes on a tractor are usually only on one axle, so it can be pushed/pulled and those tires will slide....provided the spring brakes are even good enough to hold.

One would also want to raise the trailer a bit to take weight off of the fifth wheel to make it easier to move the truck.

Yes, this method would be noticeable and not quiet, but easier and less noticeable than trying to cut a kingpin lock off...provided it is a good one.

There are different variations of kingpin locks.
Some are just deterrents (slightly better than using a glad hand lock) while others are virtually indestructible.

 

A kingpin lock is like a condom for your Wagon. These punks are smooth, I had the wheels taken off my Wagon @ the 76 in Indy. Wife & I were in the truck sleeping. To this day I don't know how they did it. The back row was all that was left when we got there.