I don't want to hijack the other thread about the poor family whose fiver fell on their truck rails. But his thread got me thinking about the reliability of the different jaws and I just wanted to ask a few questions... Maybe this will help me and some other newb in the future. This is excluding the gooseneck adapters. Just standard fifth wheels. 1) are there only three types of "jaws" to capture the kingpin?Single jawdouble jawslide bar?2) is one more "locked in" than the other? The reason I ask that is because just from casual observance the double jaw wraps around the king pin and the joint is in the back, the single jaw has the joint to one side, the slide bar has no real joint and just a bar that slides behind the kingpin... The single jaw seems more secure to me... Is this incorrect?3) the double jaw type, I read where the harder you pull the tighter the jaws close... Can someone expound on that... I don't understand how that works..Thanks, Jeremiah

I read the same post got me thinking as well, we are now considering buying the bed saver or some other secondary pin catcher

Seems to be a bed save would also act as a set of safety chains if anything cam unhooked while driving. Seems like cheap insurance. We all make mistakes and how many times have we forgotten something that for the Grace of God did not cause a problem but could have? A couple hundred bucks vs the deductible on your insurance.

The only hitch I've ever owned is a Curt with the double jaws. When open one jaw has to be higher than the other. When closed the jaws are on the same level and locked in place. They cannot open when the operating bar is securely in the closed position. I've pulled the same very heavy fiver since 2008 with the Curt. Got about 70,000 miles on it without problems.I do have a BedSaver behind it, but I would have that with any hitch. :)

I was just out in the garage playing with my Pull Rite. When it is locked I can't see how it could possibly come unlocked without first picking up on the handle and pulling it. A padlock prevents being able to pull the handle.

All 3 types work. Drops occur as the result of operator error vs. equipment failure. The pins do not just come loose. They are generally not secured properly when a drop occurs.A bedsaver is cheap insurance and a foolproof way to avoid a drop.Otherwise pay attention and stay focused on what you are doing and you will be fine.

Reliability of fiver latch mechanism | Good Sam Community

40 Replies

ol_Bombero-JC
Explorer
Apr 17, 2014
fj12ryder wrote:
I'm not made of money, which is why I have the B&W hitch. No need for a bed saver as long as you're paying attention. Who needs to spend more money on gear that could be spent on fuel. :)

Fuelish attitude!.:R

Have you never heard of Murphy - and his law?

If not, sooner or later you and he *WILL* greet each other..:S

Hope when you and he *do* get together, it's for something inexpensive and not resulting in injury..;)

Carry on!

~
mr__ed
Explorer
Apr 17, 2014
I feel pretty confident with my Hijacker hitch. It has he sliding bar and I can't see how the pin can come out when the bar is slid across it. Maybe it's happened to someone else but it appears pretty secure to me and I don't give it a second thought when towing down the highway. :C
Supreme_Oppress
Explorer
Apr 16, 2014
Failure can occur from wear. Pivot points need to be clean and lubed or they will get sloppy. I have heard of slide bars with grooves worn in them from failing to lube the king pin. Jaw type hitches can also wear in this way but it is less obvious because they are round to start with. When latched there should be just enough room for the kingpin to rotate freely. Too much wear and there will be clunking when changing speeds (accelerating or decelerating/braking). Excess clunking can cause impact damage over time. Most RV'ers I have seen who use a teflon lube plate do not lube the kingpin itself.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Apr 16, 2014
jerem0621 wrote:
It looks like Reese has redesigned the handle on their new fifth wheel hitches. The dual jaws look like a new design too.

Reese R16

Thanks!

Jeremiah

Yes nice looking hitch, just can't justify spending $700, to replace a reliable working hitch. I like the bigger jaws.
jerem0621
Explorer II
Apr 16, 2014
It looks like Reese has redesigned the handle on their new fifth wheel hitches. The dual jaws look like a new design too.

Reese R16

Thanks!

Jeremiah
Okie1
Explorer
Apr 16, 2014
I have been using a Slide Bar for over 10 years now and personally would not have anything else. When the bar is closed there is absolutely no way for the king pin to come out of the fifth wheel. Just my personal opinion and I am aware that most people favor the jaws.
C_Schomer
Explorer
Apr 16, 2014
Never a problem with my Drawtite/Reese 2 jaw and the jaws DO pull together when the pin pulls on them. Besides that, there's a groove in the actuator arm that locks when the jaws slam shut so the jaws can't push the handle out, even if it were possible for the jaws to spread apart. I've had the hitch on 3 trucks and it has a bazillion miles on it. Craig
ricatic
Explorer
Apr 15, 2014
45Ricochet wrote:
ricatic wrote:
It has been said many times...it is almost impossible to high hitch a B&W Companion...I would say impossible but you know human nature...someone will try to drive away with the kingpin above the hitch plate...

if you have a B&W and your handle closes completely and you can insert the security pin in the release handle as designed...you are hitched...period...

Regards

LOL
But just to be sure you got the Bed Saver anyway :W

45...

You do have a good memory:B:B:B...but you left out the part where I stated that I bought the Bed Saver and the Companion at the same time...before I ever saw how the Companion was designed....and how if I was buying again, I would pass on another Bed Saver...;););)

Regards
rhagfo
Explorer III
Apr 15, 2014
FLY 4 FUN wrote:
When I dropped my 5er off a reese 16k round tube slider, it was backing down an inclined site at a slight angle with the safety latch UNLOCKED. There was enough backpressure to allow the jaws to open and away she went. I had no idea that it would behave in that way....but 9k in repairs later I have proof it will.

Daryll

Was the back of the trailer moving to the left?
FLY_4_FUN
Explorer
Apr 15, 2014
When I dropped my 5er off a reese 16k round tube slider, it was backing down an inclined site at a slight angle with the safety latch UNLOCKED. There was enough backpressure to allow the jaws to open and away she went. I had no idea that it would behave in that way....but 9k in repairs later I have proof it will.

Daryll