Coupling in the simulator
Every part of the Coupling zone, in the order of the inspection, with what to check and what to say to the examiner in English and in your language. Tap a part to see it on the truck.
Parts in this zone
- 1
Tractor glad hands (service and emergency)
What to check: Air connectors on the tractor end seated and sealed, locked in place, free of damage; rubber seals in good condition; no leaks (listen).
- 2
Trailer glad hands (service and emergency)
What to check: Glad hands on the trailer front seated, sealed and locked, free of damage or air leaks; both the power unit and trailer ends must be inspected for credit.
- 3
Tractor electrical plug / socket (7-way)
What to check: Plug firmly seated and locked in place; socket and plug free of damage.
- 4
Trailer electrical socket and plug
What to check: Plug firmly seated and locked by the safety latch; no damage.
- 5
Air hoses and electrical cord (behind cab)
What to check: Not cut, cracked, chafed, spliced, taped or worn (no steel braid or conductor showing); not tangled, crimped, pinched or dragging against vehicle parts or the ground; enough slack for turns; listen for air leaks.
- 6
Catwalk / deck plate
What to check: Solid, clear of objects and securely bolted to the tractor frame.
- 7
Fifth wheel mounting bolts, brackets and clamps
What to check: No loose or missing mounting brackets, clamps, bolts or nuts; both the fifth wheel and the slide mount are solidly attached to the frame.
- 8
Fifth wheel platform (base / pedestals)
What to check: No cracks or breaks in the structure that supports the skid plate; securely mounted to the frame.
- 9
Fifth wheel skid plate
What to check: Securely mounted to the vehicle by the platform; no cracks, breaks or excessive wear; properly lubricated (greased); pivot pins in place.
- 10
Fifth wheel release arm / handle and safety latch
What to check: Release arm is in the engaged (pushed in, locked) position and the safety latch or lock is in place; not damaged.
- 11
Locking jaws
What to check: Look into the fifth wheel gap: jaws (or lever) fully closed and secured around the kingpin shank with no play between kingpin and jaws.
- 12
Trailer kingpin
What to check: Kingpin in place, not bent, damaged, cracked or worn.
- 13
Trailer apron (upper coupler plate)
What to check: Visible part of the apron not bent, cracked or broken; properly lubricated.
- 14
Apron-to-skid-plate gap
What to check: Trailer is lying flat on the fifth wheel skid plate with no space (no gap) between the apron and the fifth wheel.
- 15
Sliding fifth wheel locking pins
What to check: Pins fully engaged through the slide rail, not damaged, none loose or missing; if air operated, no air leaks.
- 16
Sliding fifth wheel release handle / air valve
What to check: Release handle or air valve in the locked position so the slide cannot move.
- 17
Tractor-to-landing-gear clearance (fifth wheel position)
What to check: Fifth wheel is positioned so the tractor frame and rear tires clear the trailer landing gear during turns.