Have you ever had a driver not secure the kingpin properly or pull forward without raising the landing gear properly. Incorrect uncoupling and coupling can be very dangerous. While the consequences are severe, the steps are relatively few. We need to create muscle memory in our drivers. Using VR technology is the best way to reinforce good repetitive behavior.
Like any other training, starting with the proper curriculum is a critical first step! Whether it’s using a governing body guideline like MTO or your own companies best practices, the steps to follow are what we will track during that drivers session.
Because IRIS is multi user, a trainer can be showing a student(s) how to proper couple a truck to a fifth wheel. Then allow the trainee to do it on their own.
Open to See the MTO Guidelines on Coupling a Fifth Wheel
- Inspect fifth wheel, coupling device, air/electrical lines, chain hook points and connections
- Position truck/tractor and trailer units. Check trailer alignment and height.
- Before reversing, exit vehicle (if required), check vehicle path and observe environment around the vehicle, activate four-way flashers and sound horn. (If vehicle is equipped with an automatic audible backing device, sounding horn is not required).
- Reverse the truck/tractor slowly at a walking pace.
- Reverse until the fifth wheel is just ahead of trailer, touching the trailer or slightly under, but not against the kingpin.
- Inspect trailer upper coupler plate and king pin or trailer connection points.
- Inspect trailer air and electrical lines and connections.
- Confirm the kingpin is aligned with the fifth wheel lower coupler.
- Engage fifth wheel and test or engage truck coupling device and trailer connection point.
- Reverse the tractor, properly engaging the fifth wheel.
- Perform tug test by stretching the tractor and trailer to confirm the trailer is locked onto the tractor.
- Apply tractor parking brakes and place transmission in neutral.
- Confirm fifth-wheel lock or coupling device locked.Exit tractor and visually confirm:
- There is no space above fifth wheel. (If any space appears between the upper plate of the trailer and fifth wheel, this indicates that the coupling is not secure.)
- The release lever is in the locked position.
- The fifth-wheel jaws or locking lever/latch has closed around the kingpin (applicant must get under trailer).
- Connect air and electrical lines.
- Properly connect air and electrical line(s) (if equipped)
- Connect breakaway device if equipped
- Note: Industry standard colours are: BLUE – service, RED – supply or emergency
- Raise the trailer landing gear.
- Raised the trailer landing gear fully
- Stow the handle into its retainer
- Supply air to trailer.
- Supply air to the trailer with the trailer supply valve and establish normal air pressure.
- Shut off the engine and from the cab:
- Listen for leakage from the supply connection.
- Apply service brakes and listen for leakage from service connection.
- Test brake operation.
- Drive forward slowly and test brake operation as soon as possible.
Watch a Driver Coupling Session
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We want to add a summary here – The IRIS platform is cost effective and the most effective teaching tool yet for the trucking industry to train it’s drivers.
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Vickie’s vision is to create a VR tool that will allow professional drivers to develop, repeatedly practice, and become comfortable with various driving techniques throughout their career. This understanding and comfort will create more confident professional drivers that will inherently lead to increased road safety.