sliding fifth wheel first time ever...help plz

I've driven trucks where the suspension dump switch was designed not to lock so you had to hold it to dump the bags. Could it be that your 5th slide switch is the same way?

 

I once had a Prostar where I had to hold the fifth wheel release switch while sliding. Kind of a pain, but it keeps a driver from accidentally releasing the fifth wheel, I suppose. The problem is if you are solo, you can't get out to look if it actually released or not.

 

use for trailer disconnect might be air release 5th wheel switch.
There should be a switch that says 5th wheel lock.
Look for that.
Release tractor park brake.
Make sure the jaws on the slider are in the release postion.

Then glenty try to move the trk. forward or backwards. Which ever way you need to move the weight.

 

Try the fifth wheel unlocker before the air bag dump and if it holds then look and see if it unlocked. Also, you will probably need a little lube too. Dishwashing soap (dawn) or lucas fifth wheel lube/slider grease should do the trick.

 

Read........

"use only for trailer disconnect"

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that has NOTHING to do with sliding your 5th wheel !!!!!

 

"Use only for trailer disconnect" is an air suspension dump. You're supposed to use that when dropping loaded trailers to keep the air suspension from over-extending when dropping. I know you say you have been driving for a few years, but to me it sounds like you're not sure of what a suspension dump valve is for and how to correctly use it. I would strongly recommend you finding someone familiar with sliding 5th wheels to show you how to do it hands on. Anyhow, if you insist on attempting it:

Touch your landing gear to the ground. Leave it air suspension alone if you are empty; if you are hooked to a loaded trailer, dump the air out of the bags and take the weight off the tractor suspension. Release the tractor brake only - if you have them set, nothing ain't going anywhere. Make sure you leave the trailer brakes set, and of course, make sure you are correctly hooked to the pin.

The fifth wheel slide, if it hasn't been used in a long time, will either not want to release or at the least, stick a little. The dash switch should stay in the release position, but if not, it may have been set up so you have to hold it while sliding the 5th wheel. Some model trucks do that as a safety feature.

Hold the switch, tractor brakes released and rock the truck back and forth gently. Back against it, then pull forward. Once again, gently.... This should take any pre-load off the jaws of the slider assembly, and let them release, providing everything is working and not rusted shut, which is common if they aren't used much.

Do not apply tons of torque to get things slid. I've seen guys cowboy a set of stops right off the back of the slider plate and leave the 5th wheel hanging from the trailer, or bash up the back of a cab going the other direction. Not good.

Once you get the 5th wheel slid and in it's correct position, you must now to lock it in place by releasing the switch, and once again, rocking the truck back and forth to lock the jaws back in to place.

You must get out and do a visual inspection to make sure the 5th wheel slider locks are fully engaged in their respective slots after you position the 5th wheel. Do not move the truck until they are correctly and fully locked!

And, don't forget to put your landing gear back up.

If you are unsure of how to do that, or how it should look, please get someone to help you.

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Sliding a 5th wheel is a PITA if it hasn't been slid in a while, like mine, lol!

 

I drove a Mack, well several of them, all day cabs. I had to have the trolley handled pulled down in order for the 5th wheel locking switch to work. I now too drive a day cab ProStar, and that 5th wheel switch must be held in while sliding. But too, I had an air leak at the 5th wheel air line, so no matter what I did, it would not slide.

Also, I always try my best, to keep the pivot point of the 5th wheel at or very close to the center of the drives, when it is there, I never really have to slide it again.

 

If you drive for England the 5th wheel is fixed for leased/company trucks and cannot be moved.