Did you know that thousands of truck drivers have a problem with the connection between their semi-truck and trailer? To make matters worse, when they question it, they are often told it is not a problem!

What is the problem exactly?

Commercial vehicles must be maintained to maximize uptime and safely operate on public roads. Every fleet is looking for ways to reduce the total cost of operation. Quality parts and quality repairs, although often costing more initially, saves the fleet in the long term.

“In 30-years of trucking I have never had one repair make such a difference!” exclaimed the president of a trucking fleet in North Carolina. What is this one repair that made such a difference?

Anytime you have metal in contact with metal wear and damage can occur. The fifth wheel of the truck and the kingpin of the trailer are both composed of high-strength steel. The more the connection between the truck and trailer is stressed, the higher the wear rate. Wear is unavoidable but it is manageable!

Fleets that keep their equipment constantly moving experience a high wear rate on their kingpin and fifth wheels. The daily stops and tight locations that they navigate to make their deliveries result in added stress on the truck and trailer connection.

Commercial trucks and trailers are the backbone of our society. These semi-trucks connected to trailers are filled with all the essentials of life including food, clothing, medicine, and household goods. To keep them operating safely on our roads they require regular maintenance and repairs.