Fifth Wheel Locking Jaws Having Hard Top Locking.

I do exclusively drop and hook loads. Lately almost every time I try hooking to a trailer, the locking jaws will not fully lock on the king pin. I will back under, go to tug test and go right out. When I back under and stop to check what’s going on. I have no space between skid plate and trailer as normal. But when I climb under with a flashlight I see the locking jaws will only go halfway around.

I can always eventually get it to connect. But I have to try hitting it with a different angle, try lowering the trailer more, hit it a bit harder than normal. But always able to get it, just wasted a bunch of time.

I tried spraying some WD40 on it, but not much else I have tried. Any tips on what could be going on? Would like to avoid having to go to a shop since I just had to sit for a few days due to a DEF issue, but if I have to then I guess I have to.

Take it to the shop. Do not mess around with it not fully locking onto the kingpin.The mechanism does wear over time and may be in need of a solid cleaning and lubrication, adjustment, or even a rebuild kit installed. They won't know for sure until they use a test sled on it. It might even need to be removed and turned upside down to examine the internals. Again don't sit on it, dropping a trailer has serious repercussions.

I agree with Dan67.

The most common scenario is that it needs a serious cleaning and lubrication. Grit, dirt, leaves, road salt, and etc settle into that grease and start making it difficult for the jaws to fully lock in place. You need to be confident in your equipment. Get it in for service as soon as you can.

I agree with Dan67.

The most common scenario is that it needs a serious cleaning and lubrication. Grit, dirt, leaves, road salt, and etc settle into that grease and start making it difficult for the jaws to fully lock in place. You need to be confident in your equipment. Get it in for service as soon as you can.

Only good thing about this, instilled that every time I pick up a trailer. I will get a flashlight and always visually make sure the locking jaws around the kingpin instead of slackin with just a tug test lol.

Allot more vigilant in general on pretrips than I used to be. Not sure if it’s just getting older or from seeing what can go haywire out there. Trying to take pride in my job being as safe as possible as I should.