Chapter two icon right

The basic steps in uncoupling pintle hitch attachments are as follows.

  • Park the towing/power unit and trailer in a straight line. 

  • Set the parking brakes of the towing/power unit and trailer. 

  • Block the trailer wheels. 

  • Disconnect the air lines, electrical line and other associated hoses (if applicable). 

  • Disconnect the safety cables/chains from towing/power unit. 

  • Disconnect the safety pin (if equipped). 

  • Release the pintle hook locking (safety latch) mechanism. 

  • Lower the landing leg if equipped; otherwise, block the drawbar when required. 

  • Move the towing/power unit ahead slowly until the pintle eye completely clears the pintle hook. 

  • Stop and visually check that the pintle eye is free of the pintle hook.

Coupling mechanisms

 

Double trailer combination types

When adding a second trailer to the rear of a lead trailer, a converter mechanism is needed. Each converter must have its own fifth wheel attachment. There are three different kinds of converters.

A train

This converter has an A shaped drawbar that joins into a single pintle hitch point on the lead trailer. Due to its A shape, it is often called an A-dolly.

 


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