16 SAFE COUPLING PROCEDURE
7. Adjust the trailer height so the fifth wheel of the tow vehicle will lift the trailer. The trailer should contact the fifth wheel 4”-6” behind the fifth wheel bracket pin. Some height adjustment can be made by exhausting the tractor’s air ride suspension.
8. Slowly back the tow vehicle into the trailer until the king pin is coupled in the fifth wheel. DO NOT aggressively strike the front of the trailer in an attempt to lift it. 9. Chock the trailer wheels, connect the brake lines and light cord. Be sure to support all brake lines and power connections securely out of the way. Note: If coupling the rear semi of a B-Train configuration, you will not be able to set the lead trailer brakes.
Chock trailer wheels. Connect brake lines and light cord. Support slack in lines to prevent interference.
Set trailer brakes.
10. With the trailer wheels still chocked, do a pull test to verify that the trailer is coupled to the tow vehicle.
The coupling procedure is not complete without a visual inspection. You must get out of the tractor and verify that the fifth wheel is properly coupled to the kingpin as shown in the next step.
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