This is a question for anyone here who might own, or have owned a 5th wheel hitch with the Holland Binkley head, Hensley Trailer Saver or other hitch with the same head. I have a Hensley Trailer Saver BD3 Hitch I bought second hand. I'm trying to test it to get the jaws to pop shut. But I haven't yet purchased a fifth wheel, so I can't test it the normal usage way. I've tried using a steel clamp in such a way (see picture) as to get the jaws to snap shut. The jaws will move part way closed, but I can only get them to go so far before it becomes too difficult to tighten the clamp any tighter. I don't know if I just can't apply enough force with the twist handle of the clamp you see me using in the image, or if there is something wrong with the Holland Binkley head on this hitch.Any suggestions as to how to test it in better way without a 5th wheel would be really helpful. Or can anyone advise me as to what I might be doing wrong, if anything? Is it possible that something might be wrong with the head? Or do you think I'm just not able to apply enough force using the clamp pictured? Thanks in advance for any advice at all from those who are more familiar than myself with this 5th wheel head.image hosting adultModerator edit to re-size picture to forum limit of 640px maximum width.

Did you pull the lever to reset the head to operate? With out pulling the lever you will never get it to close and lock. Looks like the arm is not resting in the center point, it looks pulled back by the photos.

I have one and love it. It is robust. I can't answer your question but Aaron at Hensley could probably comfort your and answer your question. Give him a call at the 800 number. Good luck.

stripit wrote:Did you pull the lever to reset the head to operate? With out pulling the lever you will never get it to close and lock. Looks like the arm is not resting in the center point, it looks pulled back by the photos.I've pulled the lever this way and that to no avail. It moves slightly, but I still can't get the jaws to close. Would you mind describing exactly how you mean I should pull the lever to reset it? Thanks!

There are 3 positions of the lever on the Holland Binkley head. The position in the photo is for releasing the hitch from the kingpin. Pull the release pin and the lever will go to 90 degrees with only about half the red exposed. This is the hook-up position and the head is ready to have the kingpin backed into it. Once the kingpin is backed in fully the jaws will close around it and the lever will need to be pushed to the rear of the hitch and will lock shut. The hitch requires a little learning curve, mostly the difference between unhitch and hook-up positions.I cant say if a bar clamp will close the hitch jaws adequately. It may need the cylindrical shape of the kingpin to work properly. I do know you want to keep your hands out of there because there is some stuff that is spring loaded.

I have a BD and it works great. I'm skeptical of your test rig. Looks pretty crude I doubt it will work

Holland Binkley / Hensley Trailer Saver BD3 Hitch Question

25 Replies

Lantley
Nomad
Mar 16, 2017
I have a BD and it works great. I'm skeptical of your test rig. Looks pretty crude I doubt it will work
Durb
Explorer
Mar 16, 2017
There are 3 positions of the lever on the Holland Binkley head. The position in the photo is for releasing the hitch from the kingpin. Pull the release pin and the lever will go to 90 degrees with only about half the red exposed. This is the hook-up position and the head is ready to have the kingpin backed into it. Once the kingpin is backed in fully the jaws will close around it and the lever will need to be pushed to the rear of the hitch and will lock shut. The hitch requires a little learning curve, mostly the difference between unhitch and hook-up positions.

I cant say if a bar clamp will close the hitch jaws adequately. It may need the cylindrical shape of the kingpin to work properly. I do know you want to keep your hands out of there because there is some stuff that is spring loaded.
crcr
Explorer
Mar 16, 2017
stripit wrote:
Did you pull the lever to reset the head to operate? With out pulling the lever you will never get it to close and lock. Looks like the arm is not resting in the center point, it looks pulled back by the photos.

I've pulled the lever this way and that to no avail. It moves slightly, but I still can't get the jaws to close. Would you mind describing exactly how you mean I should pull the lever to reset it? Thanks!
pcm1959
Explorer II
Mar 16, 2017
I have one and love it. It is robust. I can't answer your question but Aaron at Hensley could probably comfort your and answer your question. Give him a call at the 800 number. Good luck.
stripit
Explorer
Mar 16, 2017
Did you pull the lever to reset the head to operate? With out pulling the lever you will never get it to close and lock. Looks like the arm is not resting in the center point, it looks pulled back by the photos.

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Holland Binkley / Hensley Trailer Saver BD3 Hitch Question

25 Replies

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