B&W let go so I guess you gotta look!!!!

AR

ardvark16

Senior Member
Joined
May 27, 2020
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268
Been towing my reflection for 3 years with the B&W hitch. Always do a pull test. Today I back up and it clunked in and the lever was all the way in so I pinned it. I set the brake to do a full test and heard a creaaaak!!!!!! The Reflection slid off the hitch. Makes your heart pound a bit. I put the legs down and lifted the trailer up again. Reapproached it and clunk right it. I looked this time to check that the jaws were connected and they were. Pinned it in place and the tug test worked and I towed it home. I don’t understand what exactly happened. The trailer was up on one side on Anderson leveler ramps. Maybe it just didn’t wrap the jaws but it’s crazy because the lever snapped all the way in which is an indication that it was a good hitch. Luckily I did the pull test or it would’ve been bad.

I guess things happen but man was that a weird feeling seeing the trailer slid backwards on the hitch.
 
Simply don't see how that could happen. The jaws are locked if they are around the pin, they cannot come loose, the design won't allow it. Sounds like your pin was on top of the jaws, the weight caused the jaws to close and the handle to close. That should have been easily visible.
 
It’s crazy because my wife and I both saw it. The fifth wheel was tight to the hitch like normal and the pin was in but it slid off. My wife will sign a sworn statement to it as well. Not sure what happened but it did.

I’m also very close to just locking out this turning point and getting a sliding base for the B&W.
 
ardvark16 said:
It’s crazy because my wife and I both saw it. The fifth wheel was tight to the hitch like normal and the pin was in but it slid off. My wife will sign a sworn statement to it as well. Not sure what happened but it did.

I’m also very close to just locking out this turning point and getting a sliding base for the B&W.
Click to expand...

Hmmmm... Thats the second testimonial on a B&W hitch releasing a king pin after visual verification (by multiple folks as well) of jaws closed properly around the king pin. I sure am glad I got my el cheapo Reese 16k instead - no failures in 5 yrs... knock on wood!

BTW, I too have a ('23) Super Duty SB with 7.3 and love it. I also have the Turning Point too. Some have said they have locked the TP out with use of their Super Duty SB and didn't use a slider.... I'm sure they don't do full 90 degree 5er turns, but claim they get by without a slider. Might be worth looking into..... I'm thinking I gonna try it - even if I had a slider or used the full TP would never get close to that angle anyways.
 
Yeah, pretty odd, never heard an instance of a problem with a B&W hitch, and now two on the same day. And one had a turning point hitch, I wonder about the other one. I still don't intend to do a pull test, all of the issues I've ever heard of, okay one instance, was the result of operator error. Trouble free for over 15 years and 12 of those years with the same B&W hitch. I'm a B&W fanboi and proud of it. :)
 
Maybe if they stopped somewhere in those 2.5 hours, someone could have pulled the lock arm pin out and partially open the arm, that's why I use a padlock on the lock arm.

Or maybe the lock arm did not close completely when initially hitched and the lock pin was not through both the arm and the frame. On some B&W hitches the lock arm can get stiff closing, it doesn't close all the way by itself, you got to lube the lock arm pivot shaft to keep it moving freely.
What ever the cause glad it turned out no so bad, it could have been much worse.
 
It sounds like it could have been a high hitched situation? You may have done this, but in my trucking days 30 years ago I was always taught to visually ensure that the jaws wrapped all the way around the kingpin. You'll identify a high hitch situation if you do. I still do that inspection to this day before closing the tailgate.
 
clange said:
It sounds like it could have been a high hitched situation? You may have done this, but in my trucking days 30 years ago I was always taught to visually ensure that the jaws wrapped all the way around the kingpin. You'll identify a high hitch situation if you do. I still do that inspection to this day before closing the tailgate.
Click to expand...

Same here. Me (usually twice if not more) and then my wife. Two sets of eyes are always better than one.

Also, have seen some use yellow or white paint on the outer (visual side) portion of either the jaws or king pin to help with verification of a proper closure via the color contrast.

Note: I use slip plate dry lube on my king pin and hitch plates to help with my hitch attempts using my unlocked Turning Point pin box since we bought our 295RL. IMO, it really helps when relieving some friction and providing solid jaw(s) lock.
 
I had a Reese 16k hitch that failed 800 miles from home. A one inch grade 8 bolt for the head pivot sheared. I couldn't trust it any more, so when I arrived home, I ordered a B&W. One of the best upgrades I've made.
I do visually check that the lock bar is closed, jaws wrapped around the pin & do a tug test.
Solid connection, releases the pin when setting up without struggle, just a much better built hitch...at least in the last four years of ownership. JMHO
 
trailrydr said:
Same here. Me (usually twice if not more) and then my wife. Two sets of eyes are always better than one.

Also, have seen some use yellow or white paint on the outer (visual side) portion of either the jaws or king pin to help with verification of a proper closure via the color contrast.

Note: I use slip plate dry lube on my king pin and hitch plates to help with my hitch attempts using my unlocked Turning Point pin box since we bought our 295RL. IMO, it really helps when relieving some friction and providing solid jaw(s) lock.
Click to expand...
How thick is the slip plate? If 14" it's too thick, the B&W needs a 1/8"/3/16" wear plate.
 
trailrydr said:
Note: I use slip plate dry lube on my king pin and hitch plates to help with my hitch attempts using my unlocked Turning Point pin box since we bought our 295RL. IMO, it really helps when relieving some friction and providing solid jaw(s) lock.
Click to expand...
All the plates I've used say to not spray any kind of lube on them. While I don't think dry lube would hurt the plate, you really think adding a lubricant to teflon is helpful?
 
ardvark16 said:
Been towing my reflection for 3 years with the B&W hitch. Always do a pull test. Today I back up and it clunked in and the lever was all the way in so I pinned it. I set the brake to do a full test and heard a creaaaak!!!!!! The Reflection slid off the hitch. Makes your heart pound a bit. I put the legs down and lifted the trailer up again. Reapproached it and clunk right it. I looked this time to check that the jaws were connected and they were. Pinned it in place and the tug test worked and I towed it home. I don’t understand what exactly happened. The trailer was up on one side on Anderson leveler ramps. Maybe it just didn’t wrap the jaws but it’s crazy because the lever snapped all the way in which is an indication that it was a good hitch. Luckily I did the pull test or it would’ve been bad.

I guess things happen but man was that a weird feeling seeing the trailer slid backwards on the hitch.
Click to expand...

Well not the same result, but still one to remember. In hooking up to haul FW to storage last week I got in a hurry and after hooking up forgot to install the hitch lock pin. I did visually verify the jaws were around the pin and did a pull test. Then drove @ 10 miles on some rough roads to storage location. Why it never came unhitched I'm not sure unless the spring loaded jaw pressure kept it from releasing. Very lucky and nothing I want to press my luck doing again.

Dutchman2
 
When the jaws shut, and are closed, the jaws cannot open. They are blocked from opening, physically blocked. The pin just keeps the arm from being knocked open or opened by accident. But the jaws will not open until the handle is pulled.
 
Hoopy Frood said:
Easy. I was replying, somewhat tongue-in-cheek, to the other poster. Not sure why you felt I was gloating, but just having some fun.
Click to expand...

You have made me feel "disenfranchised" since I don't have a B&W hitch!

Seriously, I've been considering getting one, but I have a 15 year old Husky hitch with a Blue Ox Bedsaver and it just keeps working. Wonder if these hitches eventually wear out?

By the way, I'm guilty of never doing a pull test. The Husky is a single jaw hitch, so I just use a flashlight to make sure the jaw is wrapped around the pin.
 
Last edited:
dryfly said:
You have made me feel "disenfranchised" since I don't have a B&W hitch!

Seriously, I've been considering getting one, but I have a 15 year old Husky hitch with a Blue Ox Bedsaver and it just keeps working. Wonder if these hitches eventually wear out?

By the way, I'm guilty of never doing a pull test. The Husky is a single jaw hitch, so I just use a flashlight to make sure the jaw is wrapped around the pin.
Click to expand...
Well, they may wear out, but it would have to be after at least 13 years, that's how long we had our previous one. :) But there's nothing really there to wear out, only a few moving parts.
 
Have you lubed your B&W jaws - there are two zerks if I remember and always do a pull test with the landing gear down, just off the pavement (catches the trailer it it comes out). Last always visually inspect the jaws and arm is closed and pin fully inserted. It's all in the owners manual. Might read up on it.
 
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