New Truck Drivers Get Help Here - Pinned Fifth Wheel???

I stopped to look at a truck for sale and the first thing I noticed was that he had the fifth wheel made stationary. He had metal blocks under the front and rear so that it would not tilt.
I didn't like the truck and never made contact with the seller, but what reason would you have to prevent the fifth wheel from pivoting?
Brian
:?:

I stopped to look at a truck for sale and the first thing I noticed was that he had the fifth wheel made stationary. He had metal blocks under the front and rear so that it would not tilt.
I didn't like the truck and never made contact with the seller, but what reason would you have to prevent the fifth wheel from pivoting?
Brian
:?:

I wouldn't have a clue. Unless the roads he drives the trucks on are dead level the entire time, it CAN'T be much good to the truck or the trailer.

Did it look like it was an air slide 5th wheel?

The only thing I can thing of it maybe that the locks on an air slide 5th wheel stopped working and instead of getting it fixed or replaced he welded in some blocks to hold it in place.

I too would be interested in hearing some other theories or better yet an explanation for someone doing this.

End dump trailers often have floating king pin plates. I've seen alot of tractors used in construction with the fifth wheels blocked because of this.

It's to help prevent turning over an end dump trailer when dumping by keeping things more stationary.

End dump trailers often have floating king pin plates. I've seen alot of tractors used in construction with the fifth wheels blocked because of this.

That is correct. By design, frameless dump trailers have a pivoting plate, so the fifth wheel on the tractor needs to be stationary. Here is a set up with a removable pin. Note the pivot on the trailer plate.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/ptdweller/S6300054.jpg

It's to help prevent turning over an end dump trailer when dumping by keeping things more stationary.



Dumps tend to go over sideways, not forwards or backwards.

I knew the answer would be out there. Thanks for the replys and I am thankful for people who share information.
Brian

Now let's just hope that is why that 5th wheel was done that way and not because of some jury rigging to fix a broken part.

Now let's just hope that is why that 5th wheel was done that way and not because of some jury rigging to fix a broken part.


Let's hope so.