[yoopr]

all 5th wheel sliders are Air

Originally Posted by yoopr

all 5th wheel sliders are Air

If all 5th wheel sliders are Air then why do you have to move the tractor like Gman said. The whole purpose of an air slide was that hydraulics does the moving right??? I'm confused. I've seen tractors without a hydraulic cylinder and they are not considered air slide???

[yoopr]

Because it's sorta like the same set up as your Sliding Tandems with the Exception that you have to lower your Trailer Dollies 1st and then Lock up your Trailer Tandems.
The Air Slide unlocks the Pins(actually small rectangular locks) and allows the 5th wheel to slide.

[ExchangeMan]

Steve,

One thing you definitely have to watch out for is having the fifth wheel too far forward. Depending on the trailer you're coupled up to, the landing gear can snag one of the mud flap brackets. When I hauled a container last year, that happened to me. I straightened it out and you can't tell that it was bent at one time, but talk about being upset.

Now, with my own trailer, I experimented. With the Reitnouer, I can have the fifth wheel set all the way forward and practically do a 90 degree tractor to trailer orientation with no problems. I would recommend that you find out what the capabilities of your tractor and trailer combination are. Don't find out like I did bending a bracket in the process.

When I'm driving around with the trailer, just practicing maneuvers, I keep the fifth wheel slid all the way forward. It makes for easier turns and backing.

Originally Posted by yoopr

Because it's sorta like the same set up as your Sliding Tandems with the Exception that you have to lower your Trailer Dollies 1st and then Lock up your Trailer Tandems.
The Air Slide unlocks the Pins(actually small rectangular locks) and allows the 5th wheel to slide.

Oh!!!!!!!!!!!!! I didn't play with it, I just assumed the piston moved it backward and forward!!!

[Deus]

Originally Posted by SteveBooth

Oh!!!!!!!!!!!!! I didn't play with it, I just assumed the piston moved it backward and forward!!!

That would have to be a really strong piston to move the trailer :-)

Originally Posted by Deus

That would have to be a really strong piston to move the trailer :-)

That's why I assumed it just moved the tractor

[yoopr]

The 5th wheel mechanism is sorta like the Actuator on a 4 wheel drive pickup truck that engages your 4 wheel drive-It actuates the links that will either pull back or push forward the Locking Pins.

When you are lowering your trailer Dollies, don't crank them down hard, it relieves pressure on your 5th wheel so it will slide easier.

[Overloaded]

Originally Posted by yoopr

all 5th wheel sliders are Air

No they are not.

[yoopr]

every truck I've driven since '78 was.