Home › CDL Practice Tests › Combination Vehicles Questions › Question 121
What can a missing or damaged fifth wheel safety latch lead to?
- A.The release handle could work its way out or be pulled, opening the jaws while driving
- B.Better fuel economy
- C.A smoother ride
- D.Nothing, it is a spare part
Correct answer
A. The release handle could work its way out or be pulled, opening the jaws while driving
Why
Road vibration and brush or debris striking the handle are real release risks. The latch exists because an unintended opening at speed drops the trailer catastrophically.
Manual topic: Combination Vehicles - Coupling Equipment · From the Combination Vehicles practice bank (CV-121).