Illinois CDL - Combination Connection /
Coupling Section Test Q&A
5th Wheel Skid Plate - ANSWER-Well attached to the platform.
- All bolts and pins are secure and not missing, not damaged
- Plate properly greased.
Air and Electric Lines/Connectors - ANSWER-The three hoses are held 6-12 inches over
the catwalk by a tension spring.
Tension Spring is well attached with proper tension, not cracked, not rusted through, and in
good condition
Air Hoses - ANSWER-The air hoses are color coded, so you don't cross them accidentally.
Well attached, not missing, not cut, not cracked, not crimped, not bulging, not wrangled,
not dry rotted, not damaged, not leaking and in good condition
Apron - ANSWER-Well attached, not bent, not cracked, not broken, and not damaged
Blue line - ANSWER-The blue line is the air brake service line, or the control line
Coupling System - ANSWER-All metal parts of the coupling system must not be bent, not
cracked, not rusted through, and not welded
Gap - ANSWER-The trailer must be flat on the 5th wheel. There must be no gap.
Gaskets and Seals - ANSWER-Must be well attached, not missing, soft and pliable, not
cracked, not dry rotted, not damaged, not leaking, and in good condition
Inside the Glad Hands and the trailer couplings are... - ANSWER-rubber gaskets and seals
Kingpin - ANSWER-Well attached, not bent, not cracked, and not damaged
Locking jaws and Lever - ANSWER-Look into fifth wheel gap and check the locking jaws
are fully closed around the shank of the kingpin. The kingpin must be well attached not
bent, not cracked
Locking Pins for Sliding Fifth Wheel (if equipped) - ANSWER-No loose or missing pins in
the slide mechanism of the sliding fifth wheel. If air powered, the hose for the slide
mechanism must not be cut, not cracked, not crimped, not bulging, not leaking, and well
attached by clamps
Make sure the locking pins are fully engaged and locked in place
Coupling Section Test Q&A
5th Wheel Skid Plate - ANSWER-Well attached to the platform.
- All bolts and pins are secure and not missing, not damaged
- Plate properly greased.
Air and Electric Lines/Connectors - ANSWER-The three hoses are held 6-12 inches over
the catwalk by a tension spring.
Tension Spring is well attached with proper tension, not cracked, not rusted through, and in
good condition
Air Hoses - ANSWER-The air hoses are color coded, so you don't cross them accidentally.
Well attached, not missing, not cut, not cracked, not crimped, not bulging, not wrangled,
not dry rotted, not damaged, not leaking and in good condition
Apron - ANSWER-Well attached, not bent, not cracked, not broken, and not damaged
Blue line - ANSWER-The blue line is the air brake service line, or the control line
Coupling System - ANSWER-All metal parts of the coupling system must not be bent, not
cracked, not rusted through, and not welded
Gap - ANSWER-The trailer must be flat on the 5th wheel. There must be no gap.
Gaskets and Seals - ANSWER-Must be well attached, not missing, soft and pliable, not
cracked, not dry rotted, not damaged, not leaking, and in good condition
Inside the Glad Hands and the trailer couplings are... - ANSWER-rubber gaskets and seals
Kingpin - ANSWER-Well attached, not bent, not cracked, and not damaged
Locking jaws and Lever - ANSWER-Look into fifth wheel gap and check the locking jaws
are fully closed around the shank of the kingpin. The kingpin must be well attached not
bent, not cracked
Locking Pins for Sliding Fifth Wheel (if equipped) - ANSWER-No loose or missing pins in
the slide mechanism of the sliding fifth wheel. If air powered, the hose for the slide
mechanism must not be cut, not cracked, not crimped, not bulging, not leaking, and well
attached by clamps
Make sure the locking pins are fully engaged and locked in place
