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jerem0621's avatar
jerem0621
Explorer II
Apr 13, 2014

Reliability of fiver latch mechanism

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 jaw
  • double jaw
  • slide 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

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  • korbe's avatar
    korbe
    Explorer
    Apr 14, 2014
    Every time I hear of a problem of the pin and hitch coming loose or not holding, it seems that it was human error. I will always stick my head under there and look and see if the jaws are closed properly. And once I lock the pin, I don't see how it can come loose.

    It seems to me the bed saver would be for the folks that don't pay enough attention.
  • fj12ryder's avatar
    fj12ryder
    Explorer III
    Apr 13, 2014
    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. :)
  • Campinfan's avatar
    Campinfan
    Explorer III
    Apr 13, 2014
    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.
  • powderman426's avatar
    powderman426
    Explorer
    Apr 13, 2014
    jerem0621 wrote:
    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 jaw
    • double jaw
    • slide 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


    If you look at one of the photos in the other post, it shows how the jaws are forward from the pivot point so when pressure is applied the jaws are being forced together instead of apart.
  • Lantley's avatar
    Lantley
    Nomad
    Apr 13, 2014
    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.
  • Jerry_B's avatar
    Jerry_B
    Explorer
    Apr 13, 2014
    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.
  • John_Bridge's avatar
    John_Bridge
    Explorer
    Apr 13, 2014
    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. :)
  • Campinfan's avatar
    Campinfan
    Explorer III
    Apr 13, 2014
    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.
  • wirenutz's avatar
    wirenutz
    Explorer
    Apr 13, 2014
    I read the same post got me thinking as well, we are now considering buying the bed saver or some other secondary pin catcher

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