Question

You are hooking a tractor to a semi-trailer and have backed up but are not under it, What should you do before backing under the trailer?

Answer 1

Before backing under the trailer to connect a tractor, inspect the trailer height, kingpin, locking jaws, and landing gear. If a trailer on the highway is bouncing slowly, it is likely nearly empty as the lack of weight allows for more movement compared to a heavily loaded trailer.

Step-by-step explanation:

Before backing under the trailer to hook up a tractor to a semi-trailer, there are a few critical steps you should complete:

• Check the trailer height to ensure the tractor can safely connect without damaging the equipment.
• Inspect the kingpin and locking jaws for any visible damage or debris.
• Make sure the landing gear is properly set to support the trailer.

After these checks are completed, you can safely back under the semi-trailer to complete the hook-up process, ensuring a secure connection for safe transport on the highway.

As to the observation on the highway, if you notice that a trailer is bouncing up and down slowly, it is more likely that the trailer is nearly empty. A heavily loaded trailer would have less bounce due to the weight keeping it more stable and grounded.