![]() When you make that late turn, you're allowing the rear axel to travel farther. Instructors will often tell you to wait until you can't see your lane anymore if you're looking out the side window. "Deep" means that you actually want to drive past the lane you are attempting to turn into. A good rule of thumb when turning a fifth-wheeled vehicle is to wait and drive the tractor or towing vehicle in deep before you make your turn. Fortunately, a fifth wheel gives you a tremendous amount of turning angle. You can't turn left at a four-way intersection in a tractor trailer like you can in a Honda Civic. When you're driving a vehicle with a fifth wheel, chances are you're driving a rather long truck-and-trailer combination. ![]() Even if you have no towing experience at all, remember that you are in control. It's important not to fear towing a trailer when driving a vehicle with a fifth wheel. These tips should start to put you at ease. Towing a trailer can be difficult, even downright intimidating, especially for beginners. After all, driving is the fun part, right? Let's find out on the next page. Now that you're ready to drive, let's mosey on over to the next section to learn some driving tips. Once the king pin is released and gear is down, pull the vehicle clear. Make the necessary adjustments by moving the towing vehicle slightly (forward or reverse) or move the trailer up or down with the landing gear. If you can't release the lever, chances are you have too much tension on the king pin. Now pull the release lever to unhook the king pin. In reverse order, drop your landing gear to the point where it's almost raising the trailer. When you're ready to uncouple, there's a lever on the side of the fifth wheel that opens the lock jaw and releases the king pin. Before you raise the landing gear, pull forward just enough to make sure the trailer is secure. Once the king pin slides into the lock jaw, you'll feel it and probably hear a loud clang. You'll feel resistance because the trailer will have to slide up the lube plate. Once you've determined everything is good to go, back the truck up. Next, hop out and adjust the height of the trailer so it's just about to touch the lube plate. ![]() Now, back your towing vehicle right up to the edge of the trailer and make sure the king pin is lined up with the throat, or opening of the fifth wheel. These keep the trailer suspended when it's not hooked up to a towing vehicle. Fifth wheel trailers are equipped with what's referred to as landing gear or jack legs. Instead, you push the fifth wheel up onto the trailer. You don't drop the trailer onto the receiver. Hooking up a trailer equipped with a king pin is different than connecting a conventional trailer. It's not uncommon for a tractor trailer to form an L or right angle while backing up to a loading dock - or even taking left and right turns on city streets. A skilled driver can maneuver a trailer into tight spaces by turning the tractor at very sharp angles. The benefit of a fifth wheel is the turning radius, which can really be seen when the truck is backing up. A fifth wheel takes the place of the hitch. When you tow a boat or a trailer with a pickup truck, for the most part you're using a trailer with a hitch and a hitch coupler. A fifth wheel isn't stashed somewhere on the undercarriage of the truck - it's the hitch mechanism that connects the tractor to the trailer. What separates a tractor trailer from your common light-duty pickup truck is the presence of a fifth wheel. What makes them unique is how they tow trailers. But tractor trailers aren't the only types of vehicles with long trailers. With all the room to haul, you might think the trailer can out-muscle the truck. The tractor or towing vehicle is always shorter than the trailers, which can reach 53 feet in length. It's not like driving any other type of vehicle. Driving a tractor trailer can be quite an experience.
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