Forum Discussion

pnwham's avatar
pnwham
Explorer
Oct 23, 2015

Reese Hitch problem and Tech Bulletin

While unhitching my Montana HC from my Reese 16K hitch, the hitch handle suddenly came loose in my hand. The jaws stayed open, so was able to unhitch, but upon investigation I found that the C-Clip at the end of the handle had come off, and that the end of the handle had come out of it's hole on the release linkage. I tried to replace it, but it would not hold so called Reese for a new C-clip. They were more than happy to send me one (actually 6) and a Technical Bulletin describing my problem and the fix for it. They say that this particular C-clip may have been incorrectly installed during production and that it could affect their 16K and 20K Pro Series and their 16K Select Series hitches manufactured between 1/1/2012 and 8/15/2014. This is Technical Bulletin TB15-03 issued in March, 2015. They even state "At low speeds, if a sequence of multipoint failure events occurs, the King Pin may become unlatched." I can see how this could happen, as it is the handle in its locked position that locks the jaws shut. Sure glad mine came out while parked! If you have one of these hitches, I suggest you take a look at it, it sure is unnerving when that handle comes loose.

Rich 2014 Montana HC 293RK pulled by a 2014 Chevy 2500 Gas
  • Cummins12V98's avatar
    Cummins12V98
    Explorer III
    Oct 26, 2015
    rhagfo wrote:
    Cummins12V98 wrote:
    rhagfo wrote:
    pnwham wrote:
    While unhitching my Montana HC from my Reese 16K hitch, the hitch handle suddenly came loose in my hand...........They even state "At low speeds, if a sequence of multipoint failure events occurs,the King Pin may become unlatched." I can see how this could happen, as it is the handle in its locked position that locks the jaws shut.

    Rich 2014 Montana HC 293RK pulled by a 2014 Chevy 2500 Gas


    "if a sequence of multipoint failure events occurs"

    It would take more than the handle becoming disconnecting to allow the jaws to open! Likely another "C" clip failure would need to happen or the pre-load spring to fail.

    I have towed over 20 miles with my handle NOT locked! Low speed, high speed, stop and go, tight turns, and railroad tracks, never let go! The jaws are forced shut the harder you pull.



    Hey Russ does this hitch work the same as yours? As you know I have seen a lot of this type hitch having problems.



    Why yes the hitch does, the operator doesn't! :B

    Keep in mind that this most used hitch on the market, and a lot of first timers, with all kinds of crazy ideas on the correct way to hitch. Most of which result in High Hitching>

    #1. While I have forgotten to lock the handle twice, once went about 300' before remembering, then the 20 mile run, that proved to me that 100% of the drops is operator error. I believe most high hitch due to improper hitching procedure. I usually have the the pin box 1"+ lower than the hitch.

    #2 Once the jaws shut, I do a quick pull test, as if the handle in "in" the pin is captured as soon as the jaws snap shut behind it. This is without leaving the cab.

    #3. That and I have made what I feel is a very important change to my hitch! I took the kick up out of the release handle.



    I think the shorter handle is the way to go. I think Valley and someone else has that same handle design and have seen damaged beds with them also just not as many as REESE since they sell a lot more.

    These are just my observations, so those who may say I am bashing don't!
  • Me_Again's avatar
    Me_Again
    Explorer III
    Oct 26, 2015
    Boy Russ, I do not want to follow you on the road with all that loose stuff in your bed just waiting to fly out! Chris
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    Oct 26, 2015
    Cummins12V98 wrote:
    rhagfo wrote:
    pnwham wrote:
    While unhitching my Montana HC from my Reese 16K hitch, the hitch handle suddenly came loose in my hand...........They even state "At low speeds, if a sequence of multipoint failure events occurs,the King Pin may become unlatched." I can see how this could happen, as it is the handle in its locked position that locks the jaws shut.

    Rich 2014 Montana HC 293RK pulled by a 2014 Chevy 2500 Gas


    "if a sequence of multipoint failure events occurs"

    It would take more than the handle becoming disconnecting to allow the jaws to open! Likely another "C" clip failure would need to happen or the pre-load spring to fail.

    I have towed over 20 miles with my handle NOT locked! Low speed, high speed, stop and go, tight turns, and railroad tracks, never let go! The jaws are forced shut the harder you pull.



    Hey Russ does this hitch work the same as yours? As you know I have seen a lot of this type hitch having problems.



    Why yes the hitch does, the operator doesn't! :B

    Keep in mind that this most used hitch on the market, and a lot of first timers, with all kinds of crazy ideas on the correct way to hitch. Most of which result in High Hitching>

    #1. While I have forgotten to lock the handle twice, once went about 300' before remembering, then the 20 mile run, that proved to me that 100% of the drops is operator error. I believe most high hitch due to improper hitching procedure. I usually have the the pin box 1"+ lower than the hitch.

    #2 Once the jaws shut, I do a quick pull test, as if the handle in "in" the pin is captured as soon as the jaws snap shut behind it. This is without leaving the cab.

    #3. That and I have made what I feel is a very important change to my hitch! I took the kick up out of the release handle.

  • Cummins12V98's avatar
    Cummins12V98
    Explorer III
    Oct 25, 2015
    rhagfo wrote:
    pnwham wrote:
    While unhitching my Montana HC from my Reese 16K hitch, the hitch handle suddenly came loose in my hand...........They even state "At low speeds, if a sequence of multipoint failure events occurs,the King Pin may become unlatched." I can see how this could happen, as it is the handle in its locked position that locks the jaws shut.

    Rich 2014 Montana HC 293RK pulled by a 2014 Chevy 2500 Gas


    "if a sequence of multipoint failure events occurs"

    It would take more than the handle becoming disconnecting to allow the jaws to open! Likely another "C" clip failure would need to happen or the pre-load spring to fail.

    I have towed over 20 miles with my handle NOT locked! Low speed, high speed, stop and go, tight turns, and railroad tracks, never let go! The jaws are forced shut the harder you pull.



    Hey Russ does this hitch work the same as yours? As you know I have seen a lot of this type hitch having problems.

  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    Oct 24, 2015
    pnwham wrote:
    While unhitching my Montana HC from my Reese 16K hitch, the hitch handle suddenly came loose in my hand...........They even state "At low speeds, if a sequence of multipoint failure events occurs,the King Pin may become unlatched." I can see how this could happen, as it is the handle in its locked position that locks the jaws shut.

    Rich 2014 Montana HC 293RK pulled by a 2014 Chevy 2500 Gas


    "if a sequence of multipoint failure events occurs"

    It would take more than the handle becoming disconnecting to allow the jaws to open! Likely another "C" clip failure would need to happen or the pre-load spring to fail.

    I have towed over 20 miles with my handle NOT locked! Low speed, high speed, stop and go, tight turns, and railroad tracks, never let go! The jaws are forced shut the harder you pull.

  • magic43's avatar
    magic43
    Explorer
    Oct 24, 2015
    Look under the front of the top plate for the date code. If it falls between M011201 and M011431, you need to call/email for the new C Clip package.

    Mine is M011333 so Cequent sent me the new C Clips.
  • Dave_and_Sue's avatar
    Dave_and_Sue
    Explorer
    Oct 24, 2015
    Happened on my 16K too.They sent me several c clips ad he same paper.Seems the should've put something out some where to warn people of the date codes involved.

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