The Mad Norsky wrote:
:h
Lets see.....
Been around here for what, about 11 years now, since 2003 or so. Since I have a fifth wheel too, of course I read that section of the forum.
Literally dozens if not more threads on dropped fivers.
Mechanical error was in the vast minority of problems reported. For example a spring broke on an RBW sliding bar hitch once and allowed the bar to slide open while towing and dropped the fiver.
Most all dropped threads had Reese hitch as the common factor. But it appears most all high hitched and did not do a pull test.
Operator error. As Spock would say, a logical conclusion.
No campground survey. Shoot, tough to learn that way in my mind anyway. Yes, you can surely see what equipment others own and operate, but unless one stops, talks, and takes a survey, you only have the visual information.
So it is back to the forum here where, if one keeps an open mind and reads a lot (as I have done over the years) you can actually observe and learn a few things.
Now comparing the Reese hitch to Lippert reported problems??? I don't agree with that.
I just do not recall many or in fact any, threads reporting mechanical problems with the Reese causing a dropped fiver.
Operator error again was the overriding cause.
Having an RBW before my B&W, the RBW can NOT come unhitched because of anything if it is hitched properly. They use the handle as part of the locking mechanism. If it is rotated down, it is latched, and being a sliding bar hitch, can not slide open.
There is no time a pull test is better than a visual test. Doing both is good, but the visual is mandatory.
Just in case anyone is wondering, I don't gain anything if you do or don't do a visual test. I just want to help people avoid problems.
