Prime's 5th Wheel "locked"

Has anyone else had to deal with the 5th wheel on a light weight truck? The last couple of loads I've noticed that I was heavy (over 1300) on my steers. The first time, I was hauling 39k lbs. And had almost a full tank of fuel. (Lesson learned)

The second time, I was almost empty of fuel (less than 1/4 tank) The best I could get it to was 12,560 lbs with 28,980 on drives and 33,740 on tandems , in the 4th hole.

The problem is that for some reason unknown to me, Prime has installed a plate that will not allow me to slide the 5th wheel back. This is in addition to the stops that prohibit the 5th wheel from going to far back or forward.

Hmmmm... A non adjustable adjustable 5th wheel. Call and ask whats up. Never heard of disabling the adjustment on the 5th wheel. There are people here with lots more experience than me. I'd love to hear the answer. There is obviously a reason.

Yes I can help you here. The fifth wheel isn't actually locked, its just not being supplied air so when you try to move the pins nothing happens. What they did was they disconnected the air line that connects to the fifth wheel.

Heres what you do, when you're bobtail go between your drive tires and along the inside of your frame look for air lines that are disconnected. They took out the air line and zip tied it to the other wires that go along the inside of the frame.

Look real closely and you'll find that air line. Find the other lines and follow them until you see one that is disconnected. Cut the zip tie and connect it to the fifth wheel (its super easy no tools required) and then you can move your fifth wheel position. Dont worry about the fifth wheel stops, you shouldn't ever have to go beyond them anyways.

Daniel, Is there an explanation as to why it would be disabled? Im just curious.

Call it a hunch or call me crazy, but I don't think the fifth wheel setting is the real problem. I regularily have 45,500 of bottled water in the box, full tanks, balanced weight between drives & tandems and have never gone over 11,600 in an LW with the fifth wheel set in the first pair of slots closest to the cab.

If you have an air ride trailer suspension and pull your trailer brakes it may also quickly bleed air from your bags possibly causing weight to shift onto your steer axle/tires. Considering where your tandems are currently set may actually worsen the situation because of less counter weight on your drives. Remember your fifth wheel acts somewhat like a hinge allowing your tractor and trailer to bend at that point.

When on the scale only pull your tractor brake valve and leave your trailer brakes alone, or use only your trolley brake. It will hold it. I know it may seem hard to believe but see if that small adjustment changes your scale weights. Then balance your drive/tandem weights, 7 or 8 hole would probably suffice to improve your ride quality cause in the 4 hole, your truck will handle like a beach ball.

Daniel, Is there an explanation as to why it would be disabled? Im just curious.

Because they think you're an idiot.

Daniel, Is there an explanation as to why it would be disabled? Im just curious.

Because they think you're an idiot.

Omg hahhahha.

So did they disconnect on the condo too or just LW. I never needed to move mine so now I'm curious and laying in bed too lazy to get out and look

I have a lightweight truck (but I don't work for Prime) and I've never had to slide the fifth wheel. The weight on the steers hardly changes, and the only time it was over 12000 I was puzzled until I remembered that I had 60 one gallon jugs of water (refused freight) stacked where the passenger seat goes.

I have a lightweight truck (but I don't work for Prime) and I've never had to slide the fifth wheel. The weight on the steers hardly changes, and the only time it was over 12000 I was puzzled until I remembered that I had 60 one gallon jugs of water (refused freight) stacked where the passenger seat goes.

Same here, never a problem. Read what I wrote before Daniels "idiot" reference...

I read your comment but thought I'd post anyway, for whatever little info it might add, or to be ignored.