Forum Discussion

luggage's avatar
luggage
Explorer
Nov 02, 2013

Hard to pull release handle

I just purchased my first fifth wheel (Mountaineer) and dealer installed a Husky 16K slider hitch (short bed F250 diesel)in TV. I am embarrassed to admit what I am about to say but I am having a heck of a time pulling the handle to open the hitch for the hook-up. Either because I had back surgery last year and am still having some issues. Even though I'm 70 I considered myself fairly fit with exception of the back. I think I will try to stand on a stool to give me more leverage because standing on the ground it's all I can do to pull the lever. Do all fifth wheel hitches require the same amount of pull as the one I have. Can the hitch be safely modified to make it easier to pull without compromising the effectiveness of the hitch? If not I am going to have to figure what muscles are key to the pulling (i.e. shoulder, arms and wrist) because I really can't put any stress on my back and pulling from the ground reaching over the side of the bed maybe part of the problem. May be I am just doing it wrong. Definitely need to talk to my RV dealer. Thanks for listening and any advice will be appreciated.

30 Replies

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  • Slownsy's avatar
    Slownsy
    Explorer
    Nov 02, 2013
    Rhagfo try to red on in his follow op next post instead of being
    a smart a-
    Frank.
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    Nov 02, 2013
    jimwooster wrote:
    I have the Husky 16k and fought with it too. Discovered that once you get set up either to hook or unhook once you lock in the hitch just put the truck in neutral and it takes the pressure off. Works every time.


    Great way to see your truck roll down the next slight grade!
  • Peg_Leg's avatar
    Peg_Leg
    Explorer
    Nov 02, 2013
    I don't have problems with my handle, but I have back and hip problems and standing on one leg doesn't help. With the higher bed rails on my truck I needed help just reaching the latch lever and retaining pin on my B&K. I carry a folding 2 step stool just inside the bed. The stool has a curved top that put a swim noodle on to keep from scratching the truck.

    I claim no originality in this idea, like most of my other idea's I stole it from someone else.
  • copeland343's avatar
    copeland343
    Explorer
    Nov 02, 2013
    You can use spray lube I lube mine every few months makes a big difference. Leave the hitch in the closed position on a Husky 16k with J jaw when loading just make sure lock is open and pin is out. You only have to open jaw if you have the Husky 16kS with the straight bar. Check this website http://www.huskytow.com/
  • luggage's avatar
    luggage
    Explorer
    Nov 02, 2013
    At the moment the 5th wheel is not hitched to TV. The hitch is in the locked position,that is to say the jaw is closed and not open. When I pull the lever out and back the jaw is open position. I just wondered if fifth wheel hitches require a lot of upper body strength to pull. Maybe need grease. Can you adjust them to reduce the required pulling to open jaws to receive the King pin?
  • jimwooster's avatar
    jimwooster
    Explorer
    Nov 02, 2013
    jimwooster wrote:
    I have the Husky 16k and fought with it too. Discovered that once you get set up either to hook or unhook once you lock in the hitch just put the truck in neutral and it takes the pressure off. Works every time.


    Just a note. Always put the truck back in park. Neutral just takes the pressure off the hitch
  • jimwooster's avatar
    jimwooster
    Explorer
    Nov 02, 2013
    I have the Husky 16k and fought with it too. Discovered that once you get set up either to hook or unhook once you lock in the hitch just put the truck in neutral and it takes the pressure off. Works every time.
  • Kountryguy's avatar
    Kountryguy
    Explorer
    Nov 02, 2013
    With mine, I chock the wheels, then put truck in reverse slightly-set parking brake, then try to pull the release.
  • copeland343's avatar
    copeland343
    Explorer
    Nov 02, 2013
    I have a Husky 16K with a single J jaw. On ours you just make sure the lock pin is pulled and back in with the jaw closed the handle will push out and back when locked. Check your owners manual for correct use. Only time you pull handle is to unload the trailer.

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