DROPPED IT

oldbeek wrote:

dieseltruckdriver wrote:
I drove truck for 17 years, and I have had a 5er for 3 years. I have never dropped a trailer. After you back into the hitch, get out and look at the connection before you move. No exceptions. That will avoid "high hitching", hitches not locked, etc. I also do not do a pull test. I do a visual inspection.

This doesn't have to happen, but it does take a little extra effort on your part. Literally, it takes 10 seconds. Also, you might need a flashlight to be able to see the connection good.

I am sorry you have to go through this, but if you learn from it and no one got hurt, it isn't all bad.

X2

X4

outdoorlovers wrote:
Okay, we're picking up our first FW next week. I don't knoow what any of you are talking about - dropping, etc? Could someone give me a quick in-service? Thanks

Many of the good 5er hitches like the Reese had a locking pin. I assume newer ones also have a locking pin. If the hitch isn't closed you can't put the pin in. People are not getting out and checking after they back into the hitch. In fact they even developed an easy proceedure to pull forward to see if it is latched instead of getting out of their PU and actually checking to see if it is latched. I assume they are not putting in the locking pin before towing on a regular basis. Unless the newer hitches don't have that pin. I had a Reese 20k top of the line hitch that had the pin. Couple of times when I got out and looked I could visually see it wasn't locked. Very simple if you can't put the pin in it ain't locked. Don't form bad habits and you will be fine with you new 5er.:h

OP sounds like the typical high pin or high hitched.
A high pin or high hitched is when the pin is too high and the bottom of the pin (flange) slides across the top of the jaws just enough to close them with the usual bang.

High pin/high hitched will sometime pass the pull test as there may be 2000-4000 lb sitting on the jaws and come off the first corner or at some point down the road. Thats why its important to do a visual after you hook up.

X4 on dieseltruckdriver's post. I do use a flashlight to inspect my connection since I don't see well in dark places anymore.

One term I hear used a lot is "high hitching". That really isn't hitching in my book. It is an incorrect attempt at hitching that missed the mark. A visual inspection would show that.

oldbeek wrote:

dieseltruckdriver wrote:
I drove truck for 17 years, and I have had a 5er for 3 years. I have never dropped a trailer. After you back into the hitch, get out and look at the connection before you move. No exceptions. That will avoid "high hitching", hitches not locked, etc. I also do not do a pull test. I do a visual inspection.

This doesn't have to happen, but it does take a little extra effort on your part. Literally, it takes 10 seconds. Also, you might need a flashlight to be able to see the connection good.

I am sorry you have to go through this, but if you learn from it and no one got hurt, it isn't all bad.

X2

X3

Did mine a couple of months ago only not in the usual way. You know how people say you have to pay attention to detail, have a set-up procedure and stick to it? Well, I must have missed that one. We came home from a trip and I backed the 5er into it's spot. It is on a slight side hill so I put a board under the left wheels. I started the landing gear down then decided to unhook the breakaway and take the pin out of the handle. For some stupid reason, I thought "while I'm here, I'll just pull the handle". The trailer rolled back a little and since I did not have the landing gear all the way down, it slid onto the truck. Fortunately just a scuff. It's chocked all the time now......

Welcome to the exclusive club! We were lucky that the tailgate took the hit. DH went to set up before I got done with dad's doctor appointment and didn't quite follow our list. I got the dredded call, but didn't say anything he was beating himself up already.

dieseltruckdriver wrote:
I drove truck for 17 years, and I have had a 5er for 3 years. I have never dropped a trailer. After you back into the hitch, get out and look at the connection before you move. No exceptions. That will avoid "high hitching", hitches not locked, etc. I also do not do a pull test. I do a visual inspection.

This doesn't have to happen, but it does take a little extra effort on your part. Literally, it takes 10 seconds. Also, you might need a flashlight to be able to see the connection good.

I am sorry you have to go through this, but if you learn from it and no one got hurt, it isn't all bad.

X2

Outdoorlovers:

Dropped 5vr....what happens when king pin is not latched into hitch properly and then when truck pulls forward 5'vr comes unhitched and drops onto bed of truck..usually crushing the side walls.


***Wheels chocks.....first thing ON last thing OFF***
*Then raise/lower 5'vr via front landing legs so that king pin plate is lower than plate on hitch
*Back into hitch.....it will slide up plate and into slot (prevents high hitching---king pin to high, hitch jaws close under/around large portion of king pin and will not stay latched)
*Visually check that king pin is in slot, jaws are closed around king pin and hitch lever/handle is closed
*Raise front landing legs until they are about an inch off ground.
*Hookup trailer umbilical cord to truck
*Hookup trailer emergency brake cable
*Then try to move truck forward just enough to pull on 5vr king pin in hitch....use brake controller manual lever to engage trailer brakes. This will test that 5'vr is hitched and locked into hitch
*Fully retract front landing legs
*Check lights on truck & trailer
*Do a last check walk around of trailer and remove wheel chocks

Hop in truck..toot your horn....wave goodbye and go camping (or if heading back home....wipe the tears from your eyes. There's always next time)

If I missed any important steps I'm sure someone will chime in.

I always thought the number one rule for 5th wheels is leave the landing gear down just enough to clear the bed of the truck and do a test pull so what you did doesn't happen.