Unless you have a low- or no-lube model, fifth-wheel upkeep is all about grease.
Unless you have a low- or no-lube model, fifth-wheel upkeep is all about grease.
Insufficient lubrication can damage the top plate, locking mechanism and trailer kingpin and irregularly wear steer tires.
For this non-sliding, relatively simple Fontaine 6000-series model (pictured), Boyd Bros. Transportation’s shop uses a synthetic grease from Shell. Though maintenance procedures are similar for most models, manufacturers offer advice for different products:
Fontaine International
www.fifthwheel.com
Jost International
www.jostinternational.com
SAF-Holland
www.thehollandgroupinc.com
Clean the fifth wheel.
Pressure wash to remove hardened grease above and below the top plate. Detail-clean with a putty knife or brush if desired, being careful not to damage moving parts. For extreme build-up, you may need to remove the top plate and clean the surface and channels with a solvent. Fontaine recommends fully degreasing every three months or 30,000 miles.
Apply grease.
- Using a lithium extreme-pressure grease, provide just enough lube for the trailer plate to spread it evenly across the surface.
Leave the area around the center jaw free of grease. - Boyd Bros.’ Hootie Cooper recommends stopping with a third of the top plate on the cab side ungreased. Too much grease results in a slippery catwalk or a polluting rig.
w Hit all grease points to lube the interior moving parts, propping the plate up so it sits level. - Fontaine recommends manipulating (from the locked position) the bumper at the center of the fifth wheel, pushing it off its seat with a pry bar, to trip the mechanism. Then separate the jaw and wedge with a large screwdriver and press grease between the two. If you haul often in extreme cold, a less viscous lube (diesel, motor oil, kerosene), sprayed on often, guards against premature hardening.
- Spread the lube by working the jaw open and closed with the locking key.
