Another 5th Wheel hitch will not disconnect

Charlie D. wrote:
OP-I am assuming this is a "new" problem? If so I would look in the area where the slide bar latches when pulled open for something bent or damaged. If not a new problem, have you tried to pull forward with the slide bar opened without you pulling on it? IIRC there is a bevel on the pin side. I also seem to remember there is a raised tab for the slide to latch on. Maybe it is bent down and not allowing the slide to latch far enough back. Please keep us posted.

It is a new problem, have connected and disconnected over 300 times in the past no issue. I think the post before your post is my next step.

OP-I am assuming this is a "new" problem? If so I would look in the area where the slide bar latches when pulled open for something bent or damaged. If not a new problem, have you tried to pull forward with the slide bar opened without you pulling on it? IIRC there is a bevel on the pin side. I also seem to remember there is a raised tab for the slide to latch on. Maybe it is bent down and not allowing the slide to latch far enough back. Please keep us posted.

Drifter1959 wrote:
You may need a jaw kit and spring or its possible, for now, just a spring. These are consumable wear parts.

First off I thank every one for their responses!

I believe this response is my issue, I can see the the spring inside and it looks like it is floating around and detached.

Very aware of the pressure release issues on release bars, happened to me my first day with a fifth wheel when I backed into a site. Jumped on here and got the advice to move the truck an inch forward and the bar released no problem. This issue the bar is releasing no issue, is not tight against the peg, it just is not pulling back all they when it is resting in the hold indents, has to be pulled back and held another inch for the camper to come away clean.

Caoch-man's solution has never failed me. Now I do it every time prior to disconnecting.

Please read the post of the individual I quoted. He is the one that made reference to jaw-style hitches. I was responding to his post regarding all jaw-style hitches sharing this "problem".

Rusty

RustyJC wrote:

SDcampowneroperator wrote:
Jaw style 5 er hitches require back pressure from the tow to the towed to release pressure on the jaws to open. When you've parked your unit, simply put your tow into reverse a bit to back into the rig to the hitch to relieve the pull pressure so the jaws are not under pressure.
Its not a flaw of Reese hitches, its 5er jaw hitch 101
Good luck!

B&W only requires that the operating handle be moved and pinned in the open position when unhitching. Even if the jaws are still closed, they will open as you drive the truck forward. From their operating instructions for the Companion:

Use the safety pin to lock the handle in the open position and when you are sure that the landing gear will support the trailer, move the truck forward to release the jaws from the kingpin. The jaws will always open when the pressure of the trailer is taken off the Coupler as the truck pulls away.

In practice, I don't even look at the jaws when I'm unhitching. I pin the operating handle in the open position and drive away. It works every time.

Rusty

His hitch has a sliding bar thus it has NO jaws.

OP-Had that hitch for 8 years and over 40,000 miles and did not have that issue. Also can not envision what is wrong. Sorry I can not help.

SDcampowneroperator wrote:
Jaw style 5 er hitches require back pressure from the tow to the towed to release pressure on the jaws to open. When you've parked your unit, simply put your tow into reverse a bit to back into the rig to the hitch to relieve the pull pressure so the jaws are not under pressure.
Its not a flaw of Reese hitches, its 5er jaw hitch 101
Good luck!

B&W only requires that the operating handle be moved and pinned in the open position when unhitching. Even if the jaws are still closed, they will open as you drive the truck forward. From their operating instructions for the Companion:

Use the safety pin to lock the handle in the open position and when you are sure that the landing gear will support the trailer, move the truck forward to release the jaws from the kingpin. The jaws will always open when the pressure of the trailer is taken off the Coupler as the truck pulls away.

In practice, I don't even look at the jaws when I'm unhitching. I pin the operating handle in the open position and drive away. It works every time.

Rusty

Jaw style 5 er hitches require back pressure from the tow to the towed to release pressure on the jaws to open. When you've parked your unit, simply put your tow into reverse a bit to back into the rig to the hitch to relieve the pull pressure so the jaws are not under pressure.
Its not a flaw of Reese hitches, its 5er jaw hitch 101
Good luck!

I had the same hitch and the same problem...best solution I found was to put the truck in neutral as stated earlier to let the rig get to a relaxed point then put it in park and set the brake...this is after backing in, leveling side to side and chocking the wheels...lower the front landing gear just to the ground, then pull the release handle to the lock position, lower the front gear until the pin box just clears the hitch, then pull forward.
To hook up, pull the release handle to the locked position, position the pin box so it is slightly lower than the hitch (so it climbs the hitch as you back up)...when the pin is fully seated, the handle will release and the sliding bar will move to a locked position.

Don't know if this helps, but it worked for me.

You may need a jaw kit and spring or its possible, for now, just a spring. These are consumable wear parts.