I never HAD to slide the 5th wheel to adjust for weight. But knowing that it would move was a comfort. I've seen several that had to go to the shop because they were frozen before they would move.

Just a suggestion that might save someone a problem sometime.

kc0iv

I don't recall hearing about anyone having their 5th wheel frozen. The only time I recall having a problem with mine is when I had a leaking air line which would not allow enough air to unlock it. They can sometimes seem to freeze if you have a heavy load and haven't taken some of the pressure off the 5th wheel by lowering your landing gear. I have found that the 5th wheel will slide more easily if you lower the landing gear and raising the trailer enough to take some of the weight off. If you get your 5th wheel set properly, you should rarely need to move it. Most of the time, you can move your trailer tandems and shift the weight enough to get legal. It can also help to keep a can of WD40 or other lubricant should your 5th wheel fail to easily move. 8)

Lowering your Dollies is pretty much a Must do

Never driven a truck before, but I'm considering it, and I'm a bit confused.

How do you adjust the trailer tandems?

I moved it all the way forward (same on the trailer) to go into Queens. I don't know how much it helped, but a few more inches on both ends wouldn't hurt.

Flat ground to start. There's a bar near the trailer axles (either just in front or right in the middle) and you move it from the locked position into the unlocked position. This occasionally can take considerable strength. The lever pulls pins in four places near each set of tires toward the inside. On the trailer frame rails there are a series of holes. On the trailer axle assembly, there are 4 holes that line up with the frame rail holes. (See the pic)

A sticky lever must often be 'tickled' to release the pins. Either with a second person pulling the lever while slightly moving the truck forward or backward. If you're alone, you'll have to figure out how to release the bind that the pins are under. Slightly moving the trailer worked for me.

http://www.goatbased.com/axles.JPG

Great, thanks for the explanation!

How do you adjust the fifth wheel? I'm assuming from Gman's post about raising the trailer that the trailer brakes are locked and the tractor is free so that when adjusting the 5th the tractor moves also???

Steve, you have a switch you must flip inside the cab to release the fifth wheel locks. You can probably move the fifth wheel without lowering your landing gear if you are empty or have a light load on the trailer. Otherwise it will be easier and less stressful to lower the landing gear to take weight off of the slider. Of course, you lock your trailer brakes to prevent it from moving. You then pull your truck forward or back slowly to where you want your fifth wheel positioned. You must make sure to lock the fifth wheel after moving it. Most likely you will not have the fifth wheel in exactly the right position to lock after moving. You can go ahead and flip your fifth wheel locking switch and back or pull forward slowly and your fifth wheel should then lock. You should hear a click. That will let you know that the fifth wheel is now locked. However, always get out of your truck and visually check both sides of the fifth wheel to make sure all the locks are working and it is properly secured. If you lowered your landing gear, make sure that you raise it before moving your truck. That is all there is to it. :D

I should have said mine is an air slide 5th.

Actually, there is a reason for sliding the 5th wheel other than weight. You might have a look at FedEx O/O pulling two trailers. I have not looked at them, but I'd almost bet that they have their 5th wheel ALL THE WAY BACK. I had to do that with my truck when pulling UPS pups during Christmas rush. There are also some of the old double-drop trailers where you may have to slide it all the way back or take the mudflap brackets off in order to clear the trailer when turning. If weight was an issue, I had to remove the mudflaps, then put them back on when I dropped the trailer.