5th wheel hitch problem... Will not release

"A pull test is even better:B "

I think you know "MY" position on that. ;)

steadfastrock wrote:
You need to tell us what hitch you have. In general, you should lift the weight off of the hitch before pulling pins.

I agree, and you may need to move the truck ever so slightly fwd or backwards. I found that usually worked for me. When I mentioned moving the truck, I meant doing so without moving the fiver. If you have the emergency brake engaged, you might try releasing it and letting the vehicle find its own point when the pressure is released. That has often worked for me, also,

Cummins12V98 wrote:
"This is one thing that I do not let myself get distracted doing, to the point where the DW has got a "shut the f up and don't distract me"."


THAT's too funny!!! I agree, my wife and I both have politely asked people to let us setup or finish tearing down before talking to us. I got distracted out of my routine ONCE and tore the power pole down and water pipe along with ripping the power cord from our RV. Water and power on the ground are NOT a good thing.

Actually we BOTH LOOK at the jaws to make sure the hitch is latched. We both take this seriously.

Many take it seriously, but accidents do happen. I agree two sets of eyes are better. A pull test is even better :B

"This is one thing that I do not let myself get distracted doing, to the point where the DW has got a "shut the f up and don't distract me"."


THAT's too funny!!! I agree, my wife and I both have politely asked people to let us setup or finish tearing down before talking to us. I got distracted out of my routine ONCE and tore the power pole down and water pipe along with ripping the power cord from our RV. Water and power on the ground are NOT a good thing.

Actually we BOTH LOOK at the jaws to make sure the hitch is latched. We both take this seriously.

Cummins12V98 wrote:

laknox wrote:
Or, get a B&W Companion hitch that can still be released with a =lot= of tension on the king pin...if you're brave enough. :-O I chock the FW (not "chalk"), put the truck in neutral, then set the parking brake. Unpin the locking handle and move it to the open position and pin in in place. Sometimes, it takes a bit of effort, but it's usually (in my case) due more to =side= stresses from uneven ground than anything else. YMMV... Needless to say, I love my Companion.

Lyle

Just remember to pull that PIN from the locked open position. Only B&W hitch drop I have heard of and have WITNESSED both people had their handle locked open.

"IF" they would have done a "visual test" to see the handle was closed/locked, kingpin and hitch plate touching and 1" thick jaws fully wrapped around the kingpin neither would have dropped their 5er!

IF ONLY :R Every hitch can result in a drop. B&W is nothing special in that department . I have said before my hitch you are unable to lock it open, and when backed in it locks . IMO thats one step above the B&W.

What is the reasoning behind being able to lock open a fifth wheel hitch, mine locks when pulled open, but will not remain that way when backed in.

Cummins12V98 wrote:

laknox wrote:
Or, get a B&W Companion hitch that can still be released with a =lot= of tension on the king pin...if you're brave enough. :-O I chock the FW (not "chalk"), put the truck in neutral, then set the parking brake. Unpin the locking handle and move it to the open position and pin in in place. Sometimes, it takes a bit of effort, but it's usually (in my case) due more to =side= stresses from uneven ground than anything else. YMMV... Needless to say, I love my Companion.

Lyle

Just remember to pull that PIN from the locked open position. Only B&W hitch drop I have heard of and have WITNESSED both people had their handle locked open.

"IF" they would have done a "visual test" to see the handle was closed/locked, kingpin and hitch plate touching and 1" thick jaws fully wrapped around the kingpin neither would have dropped their 5er!

After unhooking, I always close and pin the handle. When hitching, I unpin and open the handle to the "hitch position", NOT PINNED OPEN, so the handle will swing shut as the pin hits the jaws. Occasionally, especially on uneven ground, I'll have to put some pressure in the handle to get it to close fully, but rarely. Pin it closed, jump down and do a visual check on the jaws. Even if I =did= leave the handle pinned open, my first action after backing into the pin is to get out, jump up on the tire and close the handle, so I'd catch it there. This is one thing that I do not let myself get distracted doing, to the point where the DW has got a "shut the f up and don't distract me".

Lyle

laknox wrote:
Or, get a B&W Companion hitch that can still be released with a =lot= of tension on the king pin...if you're brave enough. :-O I chock the FW (not "chalk"), put the truck in neutral, then set the parking brake. Unpin the locking handle and move it to the open position and pin in in place. Sometimes, it takes a bit of effort, but it's usually (in my case) due more to =side= stresses from uneven ground than anything else. YMMV... Needless to say, I love my Companion.

Lyle

Just remember to pull that PIN from the locked open position. Only B&W hitch drop I have heard of and have WITNESSED both people had their handle locked open.

"IF" they would have done a "visual test" to see the handle was closed/locked, kingpin and hitch plate touching and 1" thick jaws fully wrapped around the kingpin neither would have dropped their 5er!

Slip Plate is your friend.

Or, get a B&W Companion hitch that can still be released with a =lot= of tension on the king pin...if you're brave enough. :-O I chock the FW (not "chalk"), put the truck in neutral, then set the parking brake. Unpin the locking handle and move it to the open position and pin in in place. Sometimes, it takes a bit of effort, but it's usually (in my case) due more to =side= stresses from uneven ground than anything else. YMMV... Needless to say, I love my Companion.

Lyle

rhagfo wrote:

ramyankee wrote:
Never thought about the brake. Makes sense...

So I go out to the truck and standing above the hitch yelling at it that I am much bigger and I will not be beaten. Grab my rubber mallet and silicone spray. Spray, tap-tap several times... Took about 15 minutes and it finally released. Sprayed and sprayed, moving the handle back and forth. But it needed to be "forced". The slide portion that the handle moves was just bound up. And to think I have sprayed that recently.
Now adding silicone spray to my travel list...
Thanks for the tips.

"Never thought about the brake"

Wow, that statement scares me, standard or automatic always set the Parking brake. I really get pissed at tire and repar shops that don't. They should be the ones setting an example!
You would trust 20,000# to a parking pral???

Meaning when shifting into park and immediately putting on brake so the truck does not shift making it easier to release the hitch...
Otherwise, I always use the parking brake...