We've been fifth wheeling for four years and never had a problem with our hitch uncoupling but it has happened twice in our last two trips last summer and fall. We have a Husky 16K traditional hitch installed by our dealer when we bought our Rockwood Signature Ultralite. Of course both times the truck bed had serious damage which insurance paid for. Before going out this summer we want to get it all checked out. Our usual hitching routine is for both my wife and I to check the lever to ensure it's retracted and the green button is seen which means it's engaged. The first time we may have missed it but the second time we both thought we were "coupled". Needless to say we felt pretty stupid! Has anyone had something similar happen to them? How do we ensure it's working?

I'm not familiar with that exact hitch but every 5th wheel hitch I've ever seen has safety latch pins or something similar that makes it essentially impossible for the jaws to release if properly set. Are your pins and/or other safety things set properly?

Have you looked to make sure the jaws are wrapped around the king pin? You didn't high hitch it did you (pin resting on top of the jaws)? Did you do a pull test after you hooked up?

Yep, when we were using a Pullrite Superglide, my DW said I don't think it engaged fully and I said it did. Bent a perfectly good tailgate on that one. I listen to her better, now.

I have a Husky 16K Slider and the only way I can see this happening is if you high hitched and the pin was actually sitting on top of the jaws. I always check my height just before I back under the pin just to make sure I'm not too high. I also look for any gap between the pin box and the hitch when I engage the locking pin on the handle.

Did it come loose while turning? I have heard of the bottom of the trailer rubbing the handle and disconnecting while turning. Once is enough. Twice and I would be looking at a B&W Patriot on Amazon. Great hitch and will fit your rails.

Fifth wheel hitch problem - uncoupling | Good Sam Community

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Mar 23, 2016
minnow wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:

I have walked the campgrounds for years and there has been one common theme to the VAST majority of damaged beds, this type of hitch whether it's Valley or REESE.

Walking around other people's trucks taking pictures is a good way to get a pop on the end of your nose.

Bring it on!

Nothing wrong with taking pics of ANYTHING in public.
MFL
Nomad II
Mar 23, 2016
filrupmark wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
"Yep the B&W fan boys have not responded back yet if they can tow 20 miles on very mixed driving pulling their 5er at full load, with the handle unlined."

I read one guy a while back that found his B&W not pinned after towing. I have no idea if it will stay latched or not, I will not give it a try!

Russ yours will for sure stay hitched, that is a good thing!

Alright guys listen up ! LOL I have a B&W Patriot and it definitely will drop the trailer if not pinned properly. I know cause I did it. I had the pin through the handle only ,Not the lower portion. I made it about 150 yards before I heard this big BOOM and Destroyed my Tailgate . The pinbox fell on large blocks in the back of my truck preventing my truck bed from being damaged . I had a Drawtite 16K slider for 10 years without an incident. I prefer the B&W but you better make sure the handle is locked properly.

Mark, if the pin was not through the handle, and lower portion, the jaws would not fully close, causing your issue.

In any case, you and Ken both admitted being at fault, and should surrender your Fanboy free hat, and T-shirt. :W

Jerry
filrupmark
Explorer
Mar 23, 2016

Here is the evidence
rhagfo
Explorer III
Mar 23, 2016
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Me Again wrote:
bpounds wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:

If you don't like what I have to say BLOCK ME!!!

NO WAY! It's too much fun watching the B&W fan club bubble burst.

Only Ken's bubble burst, as he screwed up, just like everyone that drops a trailer with the exception of Reese owners that can do everything correct and still drop a trailer, as has been reported many times. Chris

I have walked the campgrounds for years and there has been one common theme to the VAST majority of damaged beds, this type of hitch whether it's Valley or REESE. I don't know what the problem is but there IS a problem with this type of hitch.

THAT is NOT "BASHING".

Yes, likely because they are the most common hitch on the market.

If Kennethwooster had been as sure of his B&W as you, he would have dropped his fiver also.

I would say that 99 percent of the issues is OPERATOR ERROR, and neither you or Chris, have come back to state that if you don't touch the hitch after backing in, will the pin be captured, and not release driving down the road.
filrupmark
Explorer
Mar 23, 2016
Cummins12V98 wrote:
"Yep the B&W fan boys have not responded back yet if they can tow 20 miles on very mixed driving pulling their 5er at full load, with the handle unlined."

I read one guy a while back that found his B&W not pinned after towing. I have no idea if it will stay latched or not, I will not give it a try!

Russ yours will for sure stay hitched, that is a good thing!

Alright guys listen up ! LOL I have a B&W Patriot and it definitely will drop the trailer if not pinned properly. I know cause I did it. I had the pin through the handle only ,Not the lower portion. I made it about 150 yards before I heard this big BOOM and Destroyed my Tailgate . The pinbox fell on large blocks in the back of my truck preventing my truck bed from being damaged . I had a Drawtite 16K slider for 10 years without an incident. I prefer the B&W but you better make sure the handle is locked properly.
MFL
Nomad II
Mar 23, 2016
Yes, being interrupted is no doubt the cause of many RV related arrival or departure accidents. It could very well be what happened to Bob, the OP. I do think Bob plans to replace his hitch, as I suggested earlier, due to confidence lost. I agreed with another poster on Patriot replacement, due to it's quality, and low cost. I know there are other capable hitches that work.

Bob's Husky hitch may not be at fault, but two drops, I'd replace no matter the hitch brand, unless like Ken, I knew for sure it was my fault.

Jerry
minnow
Explorer
Mar 23, 2016
Cummins12V98 wrote:

I have walked the campgrounds for years and there has been one common theme to the VAST majority of damaged beds, this type of hitch whether it's Valley or REESE.

Walking around other people's trucks taking pictures is a good way to get a pop on the end of your nose.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Mar 23, 2016
"What was embarrassing was that we were just talking with people next to us with a new (first time) travel trailer who were concerned about all the things that can go wrong if you make a mistake. (Which we all know right?) And then I pulled out with them watching! "

That right there is the exact reason most RV related problems happen!!!

I may be thought of as rude but if someone comes by and starts chit chatting while I am hitching of unhitching I will politely ask them to leave until I am finished the wife does the same.

I pulled the power pedestal over and with it came the water stand pipe because I forgot to unplug the power cord, I was chit chatting!
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Mar 23, 2016
"Yep the B&W fan boys have not responded back yet if they can tow 20 miles on very mixed driving pulling their 5er at full load, with the handle unlined."

I read one guy a while back that found his B&W not pinned after towing. I have no idea if it will stay latched or not, I will not give it a try!

Russ yours will for sure stay hitched, that is a good thing!
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Mar 23, 2016
Me Again wrote:
bpounds wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:

If you don't like what I have to say BLOCK ME!!!

NO WAY! It's too much fun watching the B&W fan club bubble burst.

Only Ken's bubble burst, as he screwed up, just like everyone that drops a trailer with the exception of Reese owners that can do everything correct and still drop a trailer, as has been reported many times. Chris

I have walked the campgrounds for years and there has been one common theme to the VAST majority of damaged beds, this type of hitch whether it's Valley or REESE. I don't know what the problem is but there IS a problem with this type of hitch.

THAT is NOT "BASHING".

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Fifth wheel hitch problem - uncoupling

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