Pretrip Inspection and Daily Maintenance fifth wheel lockup may allow disengagement of the tractor from the trailer, possibly resulting in serious personal injury or death. possibly resulting in serious personal injury or death. 20.1 If the vehicle is a truck-trailer combination, be sure the trailer hitch is locked and the safety cable or chains are connected. Be sure air hoses and the light cable are con- nected. NOTE: For adjustment and replacement in- structions, refer to Group 31 of the Cargo Workshop Manual. 20.3 With the trailer unhooked from the tractor, inspect the fifth wheel (daily) for the follow- ing conditions:
WARNING Loose nuts or broken bolts on the fifth wheel assembly, slide mechanism, and mounting brackets. Replace bro- ken bolts, and tighten loose nuts. Check to be sure that the trailer hitch is securely connected to the truck. Failure to lock the trailer hitch and to connect safety cables or chains may allow disengagement of the truck from the trailer, possibly resulting in serious personal injury or death. Cracks or wear on the fifth wheel as- sembly, slide mechanism, and mount- ing brackets. Replace each damaged or worn component. 20.2 If the vehicle is a tractor-trailer combination, check that the fifth wheel lock mechanism is locked to the trailer kingpin.
Refer to Chap- ter 11 for instructions. Incorrect jaw locking action, and cracks or wear on the jaw locking mechanism. Replace the mechanism if cracked or worn. Repair it if the jaw locking action is incorrect. WARNING Gouges or wear on the fifth wheel plate. Replace the plate if damaged or worn. Repair or replace any damaged fifth wheels, slides, or mountings. The use of damaged fifth wheel parts may cause the trailer to detach from the tractor, 9.11