CORDELIA, CALIFORNIA — A Commercial Vehicle Inspection Specialist at the CHP Cordelia Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Facility discovered a critical safety defect during a routine inspection — a 3-inch diameter hole eaten through a tractor’s fifth wheel plate by corrosion and repeated kingpin contact.
The damage compromised the structural integrity of the tractor-to-trailer coupling, qualifying as a critical out-of-service violation. The truck was immediately placed out of service.
CHP used the find as a reminder to drivers and carriers to inspect fifth wheel surfaces regularly for wear, cracks, and corrosion. Catching corrosion early can prevent catastrophic coupling failures on the road.
“Always inspect the fifth wheel surface for wear, cracks, and corrosion,” CHP advised. “Regular inspections and addressing corrosion early are essential to prevent issues like this.”
📸 Image(s) used under fair use for news reporting.
Leave a Reply