I agree, it is simply a matter of market share. Remember that Reese sells hitches with at least 3 different styles of jaws. So it is not a matter of one jaw style over another.
I shortened the release lever on my Reese because I needed a rolling cover to close over the top of it. I don't think the standard high lever would cause it to release prematurely, but I guess if something gets wrapped around it, anything is possible.
The thing about dropped trailers that I've noticed is that it always happens very shortly after someone leaves their camp. Usually before they even got out on the road. Usually right in their own campsite. You almost never hear of a trailer dropping out on the highway. That right there should be all conclusive evidence that hitch jaws don't fail, or work loose, or tear out, or in any way prematurely release. They weren't properly hitched to begin with, by the operator.
