Brain Lapse!

JCasper wrote:
I've owned my fifth wheel for about 6 weeks now and stopped doing the pull test. I do however look at the jaws every time when I go to close up the tailgate, prior to pulling the jacks up.

That's ALL YOU NEED TO DO! With a B&W hitch a visual test is all you need.

I've been pulling 5th wheels since 1998. I have never done a pull test. After I hookup I get out of the truck and visually check to see the jaws are locked. I ten lock the handle. After reading about people pulling handles of parked rigs I also check that the handle is closed and locked before I leave and do a walkaround of the rig. I do this everytime without exception regardless of the weather . Never had a problem yet. However its easy to get distracted but it you make it part of your routine you will be ok

My hitch is locked if I pull my rig off the site, period. And another habit I've got into is EVERY time I put the truck in gear and start to roll, I apply the manually apply the trailer brakes to make sure all is well. This happens even after a quick stop at the rest area. I've done this ever since I heard about the guy that young grandson was playing in his truck. When he left he had to quickly go down a long and steep hill. When he apply the brakes there was nothing there (no trailer assist). Seems the boy had turn down the gain all the way down! Scary ride. rockin'

I had a variation of the brain lapse. I was unhitching last year at home and didn't put the landing gear all the way down yet. I needed to do something so I stopped the gear and reached over the side of the truck. While I was there, I instinctively pulled the release handle. The 5er rolled back slightly and landed on the truck. No damage but it could have been much worse. I agree with all those that say to focus on your task and not to let anyone or anything interrupt your routine.

We've been pulling our 5ver for just over 5 years....I have done a pull test EVERY time I hook up....we still follow a checklist....sure we know what we're doing...but, safety comes first. I use to use a lock on the pull bar...but don't anymore. If we stop, I check to make sure nobody has pulled it. I also have 2 of my bed rail pins locked...have heard of those getting pulled also.

I do the light, break, blinker check every time also.

I guess all of this caution comes from my job testing helicopters.

greende wrote:
I had a variation of the brain fart. I was unhitching last year at home and didn't put the landing gear all the way down yet. I needed to do something so I stopped the gear and reached over the side of the truck. While I was there, I instinctively pulled the release handle. The 5er rolled back slightly and landed on the truck. No damage but it could have been much worse. I agree with all those that say to focus on your task and not to let anyone or anything interrupt your routine.

Great point I'm going to add that one

it happens. and more often than you think. I have a friend who just got his bed rails fixed for the third time. I tell him he is just too darn rough on equipment.

old guy wrote:
it happens. and more often than you think. I have a friend who just got his bed rails fixed for the third time. I tell him he is just too darn rough on equipment.

Tell him to get a flat-bed. :-)

Lyle

I have a Hijacker 16K, It has a flat bar that slides across the front of the pin.. The handle releases and slams across the pin. When I get out to check, the hitch is locked if I can put the lock pin in. If not then I check.
In 11 years I have one rule..if I get interrupted during my walk around check I'll start over. Never failed me yet..

I also have all 4 of my bed rail pins locked. :)