Hitching a fifth wheel - in pictures

SandSOrrell wrote:
Thanks for a great tutorial ependydad! About the only thing I can think of to add is to check that the breakaway switch plug is firmly in its receptacle. I used to never do that. But one day I drug my trailer about half way out of the camp ground with the trailer brakes locked. Left some pretty good ruts in the gravel drives. Not being much of a mechanically minded guy, I thought there was something wrong with the truck. I went into the office to call someone and the lady owner asked if my breakaway had pulled out. She said it had just happened to someone a few days before. I said "DUH" and went out to look. Sure enough! Plugged it back in and all was well. I thanked her profusely and we hit the road.

To this day, I don't know how it came out. The fit is tight and I did not make any tight turns. I HAVE heard some folks think it is funny to walk by and yank it out as a prank. I'd love to catch me one! I didn't think it very funny. Anyway, now I check it nearly every day I'm parked in a camp ground and definitely before finishing my hitching process.

Thanks for the idea. I think most of our processes come from mistakes we or someone else made (or want to avoid!). I'll see about adding a mention.

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Full-Fledged, I love it!

What stinking pull test!

LOL, I thought you were firmly in the "do a pull test"-crowd? (j/k!)

Cummins12V98 wrote:

I think I am regarded by many here as a B&W "Fan Boy" so I better give them a call and get my T Shirt!!!


I'm fairly sure, you're full-fledged cult member. Good luck on the shirt, let me know what you get and we can wear them together.


Full-Fledged, I love it!

What stinking pull test!

Thanks for a great tutorial ependydad! About the only thing I can think of to add is to check that the breakaway switch plug is firmly in its receptacle. I used to never do that. But one day I drug my trailer about half way out of the camp ground with the trailer brakes locked. Left some pretty good ruts in the gravel drives. Not being much of a mechanically minded guy, I thought there was something wrong with the truck. I went into the office to call someone and the lady owner asked if my breakaway had pulled out. She said it had just happened to someone a few days before. I said "DUH" and went out to look. Sure enough! Plugged it back in and all was well. I thanked her profusely and we hit the road.

To this day, I don't know how it came out. The fit is tight and I did not make any tight turns. I HAVE heard some folks think it is funny to walk by and yank it out as a prank. I'd love to catch me one! I didn't think it very funny. Anyway, now I check it nearly every day I'm parked in a camp ground and definitely before finishing my hitching process.

bpounds wrote:
Now we will start the quibbling over minor details. You can always count on RV.net for that entertainment.

So I'll join in with - I would not worry about stress on the LG when leaving the feet 1/2" off the ground. You won't be "dropping" the trailer on the gear, even though we commonly call it that. If your pull test fails, your pinbox will ride down the fifthwheel ramp and gently land on the gear. Lots of folks unhitch that way routinely.

Minor quibbles? Here? NO WAY! :D

BUT- that's a good point. It still may not be gentle, but IMO- I still prefer it than constantly straining the LG (even if slightly) on each hitch up.

Now we will start the quibbling over minor details. You can always count on RV.net for that entertainment.

So I'll join in with - I would not worry about stress on the LG when leaving the feet 1/2" off the ground. You won't be "dropping" the trailer on the gear, even though we commonly call it that. If your pull test fails, your pinbox will ride down the fifthwheel ramp and gently land on the gear. Lots of folks unhitch that way routinely.

Not sure how I missed this reply...

wandering1 wrote:
I have always done step 8 for the past 20 years which eliminates the need for a pull test.

I tend to agree, but do it as a belt and suspenders perspective. There are reports of people forgetting to latch handles and other brain farts that the pull test is supposed to save you from. From what I've read, a majority of dropped fifth wheels are user/operator error vs. equipment failure. Super unlikely, but I'm just the idiot to need it. I'd rather a newbie get into the habit of doing both until they make a conscience and educated decision one way or the other.

That said, I'm not going to wag my finger or shake my head at anyone who doesn't. Different methods for different folks.

Deb and Ed M wrote:
I saw the change he made, and glad for it because I too, do that delicate "ballet" of closing the tailgate as the pin nears the hitch. In my case, I AM standing behind the truck as it's moving backwards; I'm not strong enough to raise the tailgate from the side of the truck. I DO trust Ed's driving skills and he moves VERY slowly. Hoping to get a notched tailgate before we leave for FL, just to eliminate that recipe-for-damage.

Ependydad - sure appreciate your tutorials!! Even though we've got a year under our belt as 5er owners - it never hurts to review before a trip!!

Thanks for the kind words. I do agree that it can be safe to between the two for experienced folks and folks who communicate well, but I generally try to target newbies and write to the theory of safest practices. We all know that theory and reality don't always align. :)

To be honest, if we had to do the same dance - I'm not sure that my wife would be able to lift it up from the side. I'd probably consider having her back into the hitch and me do the raising/lowering of the tailgate and landing gear. But, I'll admit to being overly safety conscience AND a huge chicken poop when it comes to RVing. Being without experience towing or dealing with heavy moving things like my fifth wheel keeps me on the paranoid side of it. Extra cautious that way, though.

rhagfo wrote:
About the only part i don't full agree with is the pull test. I do mine LG still supporting most of the weight of the 5er, in the event of a high hitch much easier to pull out with less weight on the pin!!!
To those worried about strain on the LG, well wheels fully chocked 5er doesn't move, no strain, I would think 2,000#+ dropping down on the LG would do more damage!.
There is a difference between holding up 2,000#+ and having it dropped an inch or two, the drop is what brought down the World Trade center!
I also do as soon as I have captured the pin, and before locking the handle of the hitch.

I used to keep my landing gear down and did the pull test that way. But I found that the fifth wheel still rocked around a bit with wheel chocks (both between the wheel and cheap plastic chocks) and I didn't like the continual stress on them. With raising them up (I target about 1/2"), the only stress would be the major stress if it drops- but my goal is to never experience that stress with proper hitching procedures. So, it should be awash.

That said, I do understand what you're saying and can't disagree with what you do.

Cummins12V98 wrote:
I think I am regarded by many here as a B&W "Fan Boy" so I better give them a call and get my T Shirt!!!

I'm fairly sure, you're full-fledged cult member. :D Good luck on the shirt, let me know what you get and we can wear them together.

Cummins12V98 wrote:

I think you show a bias to B&W and RAM.


MAYBE! When you've got a good thing, why not flaunt it?! I actually have been in communication in the past with B&W about being a "fan boy". They sent me a t-shirt and goodies so I can be a poster child wherever I am.

I think I am regarded by many here as a B&W "Fan Boy" so I better give them a call and get my T Shirt!!!

About the only part i don't full agree with is the pull test. I do mine LG still supporting most of the weight of the 5er, in the event of a high hitch much easier to pull out with less weight on the pin!!!
To those worried about strain on the LG, well wheels fully chocked 5er doesn't move, no strain, I would think 2,000#+ dropping down on the LG would do more damage!.
There is a difference between holding up 2,000#+ and having it dropped an inch or two, the drop is what brought down the World Trade center!
I also do as soon as I have captured the pin, and before locking the handle of the hitch.

bpounds wrote:
Pretty good! I would probably add something about the tailgate. Making sure it is down, making sure it can be down without hitting the front of the camper, making sure it is up before departing, that kind of thing.

I saw the change he made, and glad for it because I too, do that delicate "ballet" of closing the tailgate as the pin nears the hitch. In my case, I AM standing behind the truck as it's moving backwards; I'm not strong enough to raise the tailgate from the side of the truck. I DO trust Ed's driving skills and he moves VERY slowly. Hoping to get a notched tailgate before we leave for FL, just to eliminate that recipe-for-damage.

Ependydad - sure appreciate your tutorials!! Even though we've got a year under our belt as 5er owners - it never hurts to review before a trip!!