kscarbel2 Posted October 31, 2016 Share Posted October 31, 2016 Heavy Duty Trucking / October 28, 2016 A redesigned automatic lighting system for fifth wheels will soon be available from SAF-Holland, which says its ELI-te electronic lock indicator will help drivers ensure a proper coupling when they hook onto trailers. (The system was introduced in 2012 in Europe where it is call RECOSS - http://ww1.safholland.de/sites/germany/en/products/fifthwheels/accessories/Pages/RECOSS.aspx) The ELI-te Fifth Wheel Coupling Indicator includes white LED lights for the jaws-king pin area of the fifth wheel, red LED warning lights, and a long-life, application-specific electronic control module, said Bryon Redecker, product manager. The system is self-contained except for a power cord that must be fitted to a tractor’s electrical system. It is replacing a version introduced about 15 years ago that has links to an in-cab indicator system. For various reasons that product has not been popular, Redecker said. Miscouplings sometimes cause kingpins to slip loose from fifth wheels and trailer noses to fall onto the ground as a tractor pulls away. Major fleets have told SAF-Holland that hundreds of instances of dropped trailers occur each year. Drivers working with the ELI-te receive simple, immediate, and actionable feedback after each coupling. When a trailer kingpin is properly coupled to an ELI-te equipped fifth wheel, four high-intensity white LED lights mounted within the fifth wheel automatically illuminate the lock jaws. Drivers can then verify that jaws have locked onto the kingpin. If the coupling is not successful, the white lights stay dark and outward-facing red lights begin flashing. A driver can then find out why the coupling is not complete. A successful retry will turn off the red lights and illuminate the white lights. After a recheck, the driver can hook up air and electrical lines, finish a pre-trip inspection of tractor and trailer, and be on his way. The enhanced ELI-te is an integrated option on Holland’s FW series fifth wheels, including the FW31, 33 and 35. It will be available installed at the Holland factory or in retrofit kits. Price has not been set. “The lights make it easy for drivers to positively confirm that they have coupled correctly, and warn them if they have not. It’s a new generation of safety,” said Mark Molitor, vice president of engineering, Americas. “It’s an engineered, all-in-one system that will be spec’d by on-highway fleets that are looking to empower drivers to accomplish correct coupling consistently.” . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post 39 Baby Mack Posted October 31, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted October 31, 2016 It's a shame there's a need to make stuff like this, in my opinion. There should be more qualified drivers so they wouldn't have to make idiot proof fifth wheels! Ron 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeamsterGrrrl Posted October 31, 2016 Share Posted October 31, 2016 Had a couple false hooks in my career, fortunately I caught them before I put the vehicle in motion. I'm amazed that false hooks were never covered in the 6 mont driving school I attended in the 70s or in UPS training. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyT Posted November 1, 2016 Share Posted November 1, 2016 A two dollar flashlight will enable a driver to confirm that the fifth wheel crossbar is in place! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39 Baby Mack Posted November 3, 2016 Share Posted November 3, 2016 When ASF made their 400C fifth wheel you didn't need lights whistles or any other gadgets. They were, in my opinion, the best fifth wheels ever made. As long as the trailer was sitting level on the wheel and the handle was down under the safety latch it was locked!!! The jaws in those wheels had a damn sight more then a crossbar behind the pin too! Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kscarbel2 Posted November 4, 2016 Author Share Posted November 4, 2016 16 hours ago, 39 Baby Mack said: When ASF made their 400C fifth wheel you didn't need lights whistles or any other gadgets. They were, in my opinion, the best fifth wheels ever made. As long as the trailer was sitting level on the wheel and the handle was down under the safety latch it was locked!!! The jaws in those wheels had a damn sight more then a crossbar behind the pin too! Ron Ron, the fleets used to like ASF, Holland and Simplex, and Fontaine sold a lot of wheels to everyone else. But the best 5th wheel ever made was, and still is, the Jost. Believe me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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