BACKING TOWARD THE SEMITRAILER (cont)

TM 9-2320-273-10

b. Slowly back your truck under the semitrailer gooseneck so that the gooseneck

slides up the guide ramps with the semitrailer kingpin centered as closely as possible

in the throat of the fifth wheel.

c. Make sure you have picked up the semitrailer with the fifth wheel ramps. If the

kingpin comes in too high, it will not engage in the fifth wheel correctly.

d. When you have correctly picked up the semitrailer in the fifth wheel ramps,

stop backing.

Stopping at this point helps to prevent hitting too hard in coupling.

e. Connect air hoses and light cables then push in on the trailer supply control knob and

set the trailer hand brake.

f. Back up slowly until the fifth wheel locks firmly to the kingpin. Release the parking

brake and pull against the load with the hand brake set. This will apply pressure

against the kingpin and provide a test to insure a secure coupling.

g. Verify that the lock release handles are in.

h. The kingpin must be in the locks. You should not be able to see daylight between

the upper fifth wheel plate of the semitrailer and the fifth wheel.

i. Be sure the kingpin is not hooked over the front of the fifth wheel.

j. Lift and secure the semitrailer landing gear.