HGV-can you drive with a damaged fifth wheel - Legal to us

[TREMAiNE]

One of my drivers has just missed the pin and bent his fifth wheel, he'll have to leave the trailer and run back solo.
The fifth wheel is bent, but nothing is loose or broken.

Just double checking with myself, is he legal to run solo back to our yard with the damaged fifth wheel?

[Matt_E_Mulsion]

Yes, it will be fine.

[TREMAiNE]

Thank you.

[fttm]

Missing the pin or not , how the hell do you bend the fifth wheel ? Never ever heard of this before

[TREMAiNE]

Bent the fifth wheel handle, sorry.
Idiot reversed back to hook up, missed the pin.

Agency driver.

We won't be having him back.

[Venisonpie]

I always uaed to make decisions based on what would happen if the ministry pulled the truck over.

Personally I'd have sent a fitter to put it right or brought him home solo as annoying as either of those sound.

I imagine you're the nominated transport manager on the o licence and you wouldn't want any endorsements or put your risk rating at jeopardy.

[Smint]

Annoying how little care an increasing number take over hitching up or dropping trailers, can't be arsed to check the heights are about right just reverse on the mirrors only until the tractor stops moving, might be a clean connection might be stoved in rear lights/airtanks or back of cab, no worries they'll get another gig tomorrow and continue leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.

We've had the buggers just the same, missed the pin do a tug test which confirms the fith wheel is wedged fully behind the rubbing plate, doh, and then lift the suspension which means they're then crushing the underbelly of the pressure tank, winner.