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Thread: Well IT Did Happen To Us!
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05-30-2023, 12:14 PM #21
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Almost every set of instructions I have seen for hitching a 5th wheel say to lower the trailer so the plate on the trailer is an inch and a half or two inches below the plate on the truck. The truck will take part of the weight of the trailer as you back in that last foot. This makes sure you don’t get a high hitch problem.
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05-30-2023, 12:59 PM #22
It's essentially what I do, I just make sure I'm not running the lube plate into the hitch plate; I don't know how a horizontal force can affect the integrity of the lube plate. In the end the pin box is riding up the hitch plate (I'm sure I could have described it in more detail in my previous post).
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05-30-2023, 02:30 PM #23
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Redundancy is key. We have a written checklist - some might think it is overkill but it isn't. And if you think it can't happen with a Goosebox, well it's possible. Key for me was last minute recognition by my wife via checklist item that I hitched up but left the locking cable in the un-locked position. This was a forgotten item on our arrival checklist - set cable to locked position. Even with a tug test, one good bump and we would have been a news story.
Robin & John
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2022 Solitude 310GK-R - Dual pane, factory solar & Onan, 8K axles with discs, 18K GVWR, W/D, Heat Pump, Goosebox, Battleborn
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05-30-2023, 04:26 PM #24
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We do exactly the same thing. Again, doing this method has always ensured a locked pin (with inspection) in the last 5 yrs of towing our 5er since new.
Also, we do not do a pull test either.... just ensure the jaws are closed around the king pin (both wife and I inspect), hitch lock arm is fully engaged (on our Reese 16k we hookup with safety lock off and arm in closed position - king pin forces jaws open, arm movement to allow jaws to facilitate the pin connection, and then closes around pin and the arm locked shut). Then do a final plate (face) to plate check as well and then place arm safety latch on the arm after final inspections.
With this method, just dont see anything but a failure in the jaws mechanism that could release the pin. The time to pin failure in the OPS case alone, in my opinion, is very questionable in favor of the OP.Jim and Annette
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Missouri (AKA Misery)
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05-30-2023, 04:38 PM #25
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This is one of those "keep you awake at night" nightmares. I am glad all are safe and it ended up not being catastrophic.
I always put the pin low enough to flex the lube plate and ride up into the hitch. It looks un-natural but will lift the trailer as I go under and hit the kingpin to latch. A visual check with a flashlight from the back will see if the jaws are engaged with the kingpin, and I need to see the entire lower portion of the kingpin below the jaws. Pin the jaws closed. Pull test is a must.
Three years on the same lube plate with no damage or cracking.
So far, only once was I too low and caused the lube plate to pop off. Moved out and re-positioned the lube plate (no damage) back on the kingpin. After raising it just a smidge, backed in with no problem.
In reality, I see the bed of the truck go down about 1" to 1.5" and the trailer just looks like it's lifting. Visually it can be deceiving, as the hitch plate rotates to level, it ends up in a lower plane that you would expect. The plate starts tipped to the rear and rotates about a point that is not relative to the edge you riding up onto. Hard to explain without a clever video to show it.
RobRob & Kathy
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05-30-2023, 05:34 PM #26
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05-30-2023, 05:38 PM #27
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05-30-2023, 06:45 PM #28
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Oh my, that's a scary sight. Much worse than leaving the pin out of the locking handle. I'm not sure why there are 4 of them. My B&W only has two: one for each saddle.
Howard and Peggy
2019 Momentum 351M, and 2018 RAM Cummins dually 6-speed.
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05-30-2023, 07:04 PM #29
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05-30-2023, 07:22 PM #30
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my Curt has 4 also, for the above bed rails
Bob (retired) & Vicki
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2019 Chevy 2500HD LT Crew Cab Gasser
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