Protecting Drivers During National Safety Month
Published on
May 28, 2021 at 9:00:00 AM PDT May 28, 2021 at 9:00:00 AM PDTth, May 28, 2021 at 9:00:00 AM PDT
Cars and most trucks run on four wheels, and most heavy-duty trucks run on six to eight to eighteen for that matter. But what's so important about a fifth wheel? And we're not talking about when you're out with your two best friends and their spouses.
The Fifth Wheel is a trucking term actually doesn't have to do much with wheels at all. The 5th wheel is a hitch that allows you as a driver to connect your cargo to the back of your heavy-duty vehicle. It is a "U" shaped component that links the tractor to the cab in most heavy-duty trucking cases.
So why is it important? Well you don't want your precious cargo falling off the back while you're out on the road right? We think some of the best solutions come from SAF Holland, and we've broken some of those parts and solutions down for you today.
SAF Holland
SAF Holland is one of our brands that's located internationally in Luxembourg. They're one of the largest suppliers in the commercial vehicle market in Europe and a present in the United States as well as most of the world.
What Do They Make?
Holland specializes in chassis systems and components that are used by trailers, trucks and buses as well. Their products range from axle and suspension systems to landing gear, kingpins and of course, fifth wheels.
5th Wheel Systems By SAF Holland
SAF Holland makes 5th Wheels for several applications, and a broken down into series for tractors, cost-conscious fleets, heavy-duty, terminal tractor, lightweight and fifth wheels with top plates.
Holland FW35 Series
Holland touts this to be the world's most popular fifth wheel. Most fifth wheels require grease or lube to stay mobile, but the FW35's "NoLobe Articulation Pocket Liners" help give proper articulation to the hinge. It's built with a precision TwinLock mechanism which is built with jaws that are steel forged for quick and reliable kingpin coupling. It also offers easy-lock adjustment which makes for infinite locking positions and better kingpin durability.
Where Can I Find Them?
SAF Holland 5th Wheels, Lock Adjustment Tools, landing gear and more can be found here on our SAF Holland brand page. Be on the look-out for more tips and blogs about our 5th wheel offerings.
Remembering Truckers During National Safety Month
Every year, the National Safety Council (NSC) designates June as National Safety Month. In an effort to save lives and prevent injuries "in the workplace and anyplace," the NSC will be focusing on multiple topics this year, including driving. While it's everyone's responsibility to be responsible and pay attention on the road, it's also important to remember our truckers and professional drivers during this month of awareness
With disruptions to the supply chain, pandemic demands, driver shortages, and other factors affecting driver hours, it's important to take the steps to ensure driver safety no matter how long the journey is.
Stay Alert On the Road
Whether or not you're taking advantage of the Hours of Service exemptions for those who are delivering qualifying goods for Coronavirus relief, distracted or fatigued drivers are especially dangerous when your vehicle is over 26,000 pounds. While a seasoned driver can probably maintain highway speeds with one knee while checking social media and eating a hamburger, it's also important to:
- Balance your hydration. We all love a good, strong cup of coffee in the morning to get the day going, but remember to balance your caffeine consumption with water to help give your body the natural energy it needs to maintain alertness after the caffeine has worn off.
- Know when you need to slow down. Exits, turns, and road construction can pop up quickly if you're not paying attention. Anticipating your turns in advance and understanding the turn radius you need for your vehicle can help keep make sure your journey goes smoothly.
- Leave a buffer in front of your truck. It's going to be frustrating traveling 50 mph when everyone else around you is doing 65, but remember that if something is going to happen on the road, it's most likely going to happen in front of you. That buffer zone is going to be what helps you correct and slow down if you need to.
Keep Yourself and Your Vehicle Visible
It's easy to assume that when you drive a big truck, everyone can see you. But during nighttime and inclement weather conditions, this is less true than you think. Another common mistake that drivers and fleets make is not making sure that they, themselves, are visible during situations where they need to be outside of the vehicle.
For your vehicle: It's a good idea to check the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards requirements for your vehicle specs to make sure you're in compliance with visibility guidelines. You can enhance your truck's visibility by investing in:
For yourself: Never assume that other motorists can see you, even if they can see your truck. Adding a few high-visibility accessories to your driving gear can help make the difference between an accident and making it home safely. A few products to consider are:
For mechanics and techs, it's also not a bad idea to invest in safety gear to have around the shop, including:
Make Sure You Can See Around and Behind Your Vehicle
In addition to having a buffer zone in front of your rig, that's not the only direction that needs your attention while you're driving. Make sure you can see all the way around your vehicle by enhancing your mirror system with blind-spot, convex, and other add-ons to the factory-installed mirror that's already on your vehicle.
Installing a backup camera can also help you see what's going on behind your rig and guide you to successfully maneuvering in parking lots and delivery sites.
Let Us Help You Stay Safe
During National Safety Month and all year long, we're here to help you get the accessories and gear you need to keep yourself or your fleet safe on the road. Our full haul of heavy-duty everything includes some of the biggest brands in safety gear and equipment including:
Create an account with us today to get started on your journey to safer driving.