Any common sense logic on how the pins/clips face.

John,

I didn't mean to hijack your thread. Reading through all of the posts, I feel that your original question has been well and fully answered.

I just feel that some of the RVing legends that are repeated endlessly without any proof need to be jerked up every now and then.

And; I agree to put the pins and clips in whichever way is most accessible (and ALWAYS lock the release handle).