How does this pass a Tug test -_-

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1Stack_Mack@reddit

I always check to make sure handle is in and underneath to check jaws.... Every single time. I'm overly paranoid about dropped trailer

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4_kidneys_in_me@reddit

It doesn’t. Which is why you have to look at the jaws and that the 5th wheel pull handle is in the locked position.

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4_kidneys_in_me@reddit

Wouldn’t a pin that is not locked by the jaws mean it would fail a tug test?

Fail = you drop the trailer

Pass = you don’t drop the trailer.

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OrbitOfSaturnsMoons@reddit

Not unheard of for a trailer to pass a tug test with partially locked jaws and then fall off while turning or something down the road

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polarjunkie@reddit

I think you meant it does which is why you have to look at the jaws instead of just doing a tug test.

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No_Edge_7964@reddit

I'm so glad I haul fuel and have set trailers. Dropping and hooking constantly would make me so nervous

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CashWideCock@reddit

I pull 2-3 trailers a day and sometimes unhook/ hook to each of those trailers multiple times per trailer each day.

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InvestigatorBroad114@reddit

Any time I leave my truck when I come back I check both handles (heavy haul 5th wheel) and also look at my lockjaw’s. Extra 5 seconds can save an extra 5 hours of headache

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DblDtchRddr@reddit

No reason for it to. It takes a whopping 10 seconds to check your locking jaws. If you do it right every time, you’ll do it right every time.

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InvestigatorBroad114@reddit

Just enough to feel like it’s locked, hence I always do a visual inspection every morning, never know if someone’s messed with it

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raddrobb67@reddit

Six years in and have looked under the trailer every time. I'm not going to be that guy.

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Snappypants9@reddit

Not sure - but thanks for posting this - it is helpful to see pictures of the locking jaws when they are not fully latched so I know what I am looking for .

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Don't just look at the jaws, look at the pin on the front of the fifth wheel as well. Just last week I dropped a trailer because the jaws looked locked and pass the tug test but the pin wasn't all the way in so when I tried to drive it fell off.

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CashWideCock@reddit

If you’re talking about the adjusting bolt that sticks out the front of some 5th wheels, that’s not a very common thing anymore.

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18-Spinning-Wheels@reddit

It's still common. It's all according to the specs of the model # and manufacturers designs. Add to that, what the customer requests.

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GoNe2heLL@reddit

Tell that to my company.....our 2026 trucks still have the old fashioned El Cheapo 5th wheel (I think they're Holland brand) but I prefer Jost 5th wheels

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gymkana@reddit

What really? It's been on every 5th wheel I've seen. Weird.

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Snappypants9@reddit

I have been trying to look at the handle each time too to make sure it is all the way in..

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bcsublime@reddit

Have to look at the jaws. The handle isn’t the locking mechanism. Every time. Or wait until you drop a trailer and then you’ll know to check it every time lol.

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FaceWithAName@reddit

They said "look at the handle too" implying they are checking the jaws as well

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ChaceEdison@reddit

Fontaine Fifth Wheel?

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Environmental-Pear40@reddit

Because it's half set, always gotta look with first hook. Probably a good idea to get it cleaned and re lubed.

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mutennn@reddit

I usually never go under the trailer to check, always tuck test and move. I had a weird feeling once, crawled under my trailer aand it was looking exactly like this. Since then i ve never checked it again, I rely on my supertruckrr inticts 😂

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dewky@reddit

DOT here. I've inspected thousands of trailers and haven't seen one yet where the jaws weren't locked. I still check every time though. I did catch one where the jaws were closed but would open during the tug test. That was fun almost dropping a trailer in the yard.

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Laffenor@reddit

The tug test is completely meaningless, and is nothing but strain and tear on the equipment for no purpose whatsoever.

If you hear that the bolt locks, and the handle is fully retracted and in lock, the tug test will always pass. If the handle is not locked, it doesn't matter one bit what the result of the tug test is, you can not drive it. Since you will always need to get out and look at the handle no matter what, the tug test gives no useful info.

For 100% certainty, you can look manually. But in the example of this post, and all the other similar posts in this sub, there is absolutely no way the handle is fully retracted and locked.

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aacawe@reddit

A lot of weight in the nose, no recent grease, lightest of tugs. Idk. But I do know it’s possible… I did yard dog for two years, moving hundreds of trailers a month, this happened to me several times moving trailers in the yard and one time across town plant to plant. Heavy trailers didn’t move an inch. - at the guard shack where I work, they’ve seen a couple guys come in with no lock or improper lock, and their last stop was hundreds of miles ago.

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