It sucks greatly when people are killed due to driver error and/or faulty maintenance.
Any time equipment is questionable, DO NOT USE IT UNTIL VERIFIED USEFUL!!
THE LIFE YOU SAVE MIGHT BE YOURS!
I've NEVER HAD a trailer fall off a fifth wheel nor ever had a steer tire blow out when in transit and I'm not alone.
Whatever blocked the fifth wheel from its function was driver error or faulty maintenance which goes back to driver error since the driver was the last one to check operation of and use the equipment.
EVERYTHING MECHANICAL WEARS OUT.
Being as how I have some experience being a WRENCH on Tractors and Trailers, I have some semblance of knowledge and experience in operations and maintenance of fifth wheels.
>>One can eliminate whatever is blocking the locking by
LOOKING entirely at the Fifth Wheel as well the mounting of it, after which one can CLEAN OUT DEBRIS or whatever is decreasing/eliminating the actuation of the fifth wheel mechanism.
THERE IS NO LOAD SO HOT IT HAS TO COOL OFF IN A DITCH, CANYON, INVERTED, ETC.
Sometimes the operation is HINDERED DUE TO LACK OF MAINTENANCE --
LUBRICATION,
ADJUSTMENT.
There need NEVER BE ANY REASON other than FAULTY/NON EXISTENT MAINTENANCE and/or DRIVER ERROR for ANY Fifth Wheel to uncouple during transit.
Nothing need be invented to help the unfortunate few times such occurrence occurs.
Most shops have a
ALREADY INVENTED and
WELL USED TOOL specific to testing the locking mechanism of fifth wheels.
May your travels not become
travails.
CHEERS!!