FMCSR 393.71(e) Fifth Wheel Defective — Driver Q&A

No. Across our inspection records, a fifth wheel defective citation has a 0.0% out-of-service rate—all 2 citations in our database were not placed OOS. This code is not OOS-eligible under FMCSA rules. However, compare this to the national average OOS rate of 31.4% across all FMCSR codes: fifth wheel issues are treated as a correctable defect rather than an immediate safety stop.

This violation carries a CSA severity weight of 8 points. The severity is moderate—not the highest tier, but meaningful enough that you'll want to address it quickly. In a 30-day inspection window, multiple citations of the same code can accumulate, so one citation now is the time to inspect and fix the defect before another citation multiplies your CSA impact.

1. Inspect the fifth wheel assembly immediately. Check for cracks, bending, excessive wear, or loose fasteners.
2. Document the repair or correction with photos and receipts.
3. Schedule a formal inspection at a certified shop if the defect is beyond basic tightening.
4. Report the repair completion to your carrier's safety team or dispatcher.
5. Request a re-inspection if required by your carrier or state.
6. Keep records of the citation and repair proof in case of future roadside checks.

Fifth wheel defects are less commonly cited than similar suspension and brake violations. Our data shows 393.71(e) ranks #2651 of 3,036 FMCSR codes by citation volume, with only 2 all-time citations. By contrast, slack adjuster defects (393.47E) have 180,363 citations at a 0.0% OOS rate, and inoperable lamps (393.9) have 180,097 citations at 6.9% OOS. Fifth wheel issues are rarer but equally critical to address—the low citation count reflects that most carriers maintain them properly.

Yes, you can submit a DataQS (Roadside Data Repair) challenge if you believe the citation is inaccurate. For a fifth wheel defect finding, you'll need to show that:

• The defect did not exist at the time of inspection, or
• The inspector's documentation was factually wrong (e.g., misidentified vehicle component).

If you repaired the defect immediately after citation, document that with receipts and photos. Submit your challenge within the DataQS window (typically 30–45 days). Mechanical defects are contestable if the repair record proves the issue was corrected before the citation was logged.

Very rarely. In the last 12 months, there have been 0 citations for 393.71(e) in our 13 million inspection records. In the last 90 days, also 0. The only 2 citations ever logged were from an earlier period. This is not a trend violation—it's an occasional finding when inspectors encounter a genuinely defective fifth wheel assembly. The rarity does not make it less serious; it reflects that most carriers maintain fifth wheel assemblies to standard.

Our data covers only 2 all-time citations. One went to A-ONE TOWING LLC (USDOT 2911817) on a Ford; the other to DAILYS TOWING INC (USDOT 3974644) on an International. Both citations are from towing services, which use fifth wheels under heavy strain. No single state or carrier dominates this violation due to the very low volume. If you operate a tow truck or heavy-haul vehicle, routine fifth wheel inspection is especially important.

Fifth wheel maintenance is primarily a carrier responsibility—it falls under the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC in CSA, which tracks carrier-level compliance. However, if you report or fail to report a defect during your pre-trip inspection, that affects your Safety BASIC record as a driver. Document what you saw, report it to your carrier immediately, and keep a copy of the report. Carriers are responsible for fixing it, but drivers are responsible for honesty in inspection reports.