Airbag Suspension and Unhitching Question

I let some air out of the bags so it does not jump up. I do not like sudden movement that could be a source of damage or injury. I do have a compressor in the truck cab so it is an easy job. But there are many ways to skin a cat. What works for you and is safe is good for me.

Hi,

I have a frined with air bag suspension in his fifth wheel hitch, and he does not deflate the hitch while hitching up or unhitching.

Like described above, if you have the hitch pop up, it is indicating that the landing gear is not carrying all the weight, and some was on the hitch when you pulled the truck forward.

Putting a little weight on the landing gear, then unlatching the lock will assist in unhitching. You will be able to see when the truck side of the hitch is loose from the trailer side of the hitch. So lower the landing gear, let the truck rise about 1" or so to take some weight, then unlock the hitch, and then keep raising until there is clearance.

You do not want to raise it so far it starts taking the truck tires off the ground or anything (neighbor did that, had only pulled boats before, and was waiting to have the fifth wheel pin clear the box before pulling forward).

Fred.

If your truck is "jumping", you need to raise the landing gear a little more when you pull out. When you find the right level, make a mark on your landing gear leg so you will know where that height is.

Never had the truck jump much when unhitching, but I raise the fiver taking most of the weight off the truck before pulling out. Also, if the truck sags maybe 2 inches at most due to the king pin weight, then the most it can jump when unhitching should be the same 2 inches, so even worst case it shouldn't cause a problem.

Some times I do deflate the air bags when unhitching and other times I do not. But that is more determined by what will be needed to level the fiver front-to-back after unhitching and length of stay.

I put the front legs down and raise them until the truck starts to rise, then I let the air out of the bags which settles the truck back down, then I raise the toyhauler enough to get the weight off the truck, release the hitch, and pull out. Roto-Choks are installed before I put the legs down or do anything else.

I let the air out because we usually drive some and it rides really, really rough with the bags inflated. I use an air bubble to re-inflate the bags when hooking back up. That's just the way I do it, either way will work.

I try not to scare the TV when hitching or unhitching. Never made it jump.

I put X chocks between the wheels of the Fifth wheel. I then put the front legs down and put a little weight on them, then pull the release on the hitch, after it is released I then raise the front of the trailer until I can see it is raising off the hitch. I then pull out from underneath and level the front. No problems with the air bags.

I have never deflated my airbags when unhitching. The jump does jump when I pull the hitch release bar - BUT, it pulls forward, and not all the time...it depends on how the trailer/truck are sitting. IT has never jumped up.