5TH WHEEL REPAIR & REPLACEMENT
Inspection of a tractor trailer 5th wheel plate and kingpin is an absolute necessity for ensuring operational and road safety; however, this inspection is often neglected, overlooking rusted, corroded, or cracked parts that need repair or replacement.
85%-90% of 5th wheel plate failures are found during the DOT inspection.
In this video, Lead Service Technician, Larry Anders, walks us through our 5-point process and showcases what sets Utility Keystone Trailer Sales service team apart from the rest.
Utility Keystone's 5th wheel plate repair and replacement process:
1) Inspection Phase:
-
Check Kingpin and verify wear:
A kingpin gauge is used to check for wear and tear. If damage found, the kingpin will be replaced. Larry explains, "a worn kingpin can be responsible for drivers experiencing a loose trailer hook up or sliding trailer, or even resulting in a runaway trailer. Greasing the 5th wheel can help prevent wear and your kingpin will last much longer -
Check supports and look for holes/rust damage (inside check)
-
Check functionality of air and electric, noting nonworking components
2) Removal Phase:
-
Disconnect air and electric
-
Remove bottom rail rivets and cut floor screws
-
Plan rebuild/restoration
3) Rebuild Phase:
-
First, we replace all rusted vertical and horizontal support gussets on the approach plate. In rare occasions, we'll rebuild the entire plate from scratch with measurements and specs from the original plate.
-
Then, the rebuilt approach plate is fitted to a new universal plate.
4) Reinstall Phase:
-
Test fit new 5th wheel plate and rerun wires and connections.
-
Test and replace any faulty connections.
-
Redrill new rivet holes
-
Finally, the newly rebuilt 5th wheel plate is installed using 3/8 stainless rivets, these help cover the workload of the floor screws that were removed. These 3/8” stainless rivets are much stronger than a bolt or steel rivet or aluminum rivet.
5) Test Phase:
-
Reconnect air/electric connections.
-
Test durability and reliability of plate.
Watch the video of our 5th Wheel Plate Repair Process for step by step process from inspection and removal, to rebuilding, installation, and testing.