Trouble Opening 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch

This happens to us about half the time. I put the truck in reverse and that relieves the pressure while DW pulls the hitch lever. It is no big deal. My hitch is also a Reese.

john&bet wrote:
I have had my Reese for almost 9 years now and very seldom have trouble unhitching. If I do it is my own fault because the trailer is pulled back into the jaws. Personally I would not own a B&W just for the fifth wheel part. Too much trouble in and out plus other reasons. I like what I have and that's my story.

X2

I like the fact that pulling forces the Reese jaws shut, while the B&W is a nice product, having the jaw pivot point in front of the jaws is just not a good idea.

I have had my Reese for almost 9 years now and very seldom have trouble unhitching. If I do it is my own fault because the trailer is pulled back into the jaws. Personally I would not own a B&W just for the fifth wheel part. Too much trouble in and out plus other reasons. I like what I have and that's my story.

MFL wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
This is a recipe for dropping the 5er!

Most of the damaged trucks I have seen have REESE hitches. Seriously I would sell what you have and buy a B&W.

You should not have any problems hitching or unhitching!

Flame on!

Cummins is trying to be helpful here. He has been a strong supporter of the B&W hitches, and has taken some flame for it in the past.

I had a B&W installed last April, when I changed trucks. I've used several brands of hitches, without a lot of problems. When twisted at an angle, up hill or down, most hitches are hard to open. I have yet to have my B&W not open easily, no matter what position the truck and trailer are in.

I would change to a different hitch, instead of fighting with what ever brand I had, if it was not working for me.

Happy Holidays to all,
Jerry

MFL thanks for the support!


jimnlin

Please give an example of brand bashing from me.

I have used RBW hitches in the past and knowing what I know now there is no way I would use one again. Is saying most of the trucks with bed damage I have seen have REESE or a similar design BASHING????? Saying there is something about the design is bashing?

I give my opinion on what I see and what I have used so newbies or people looking for a different hitch will have some real world experience to help with making a decision rather than what some salesman wants to sell them because that is what they make the most money on.

If the above is bashing then I am officially known as the BASHER from now on!

Merry Christmas all!

I've used Husky, and Reese. Both having different hooking and unhooking problems. I had to learn what their personalities they each had. Reading instructions help. I agree Reese could be very stubborn. Finally went to a Pullright SG, and got rid of a lot of problems. I've also heard that B&W also works very well. If I went to trade hitches again I would go for either Pullright or B&W. This comes from my own experience. Really love the Pullright. Reese served me well, but will not buy another due to unhooking problems.

Cummins is trying to be helpful here

your joking right.
nothing wrong with being a known brand cheerleader but when he constantly bashes other brands he knows nothing about..... over and over and....well you get the idea. Who needs it.

Every hitch has its likes and dislikes when it comes to hooking up. The OP can try some of the procedures mentioned but if the problem is still there then a 1-800 to the hitch maker/dealer is needed.

Cummins12V98 wrote:
This is a recipe for dropping the 5er!

Most of the damaged trucks I have seen have REESE hitches. Seriously I would sell what you have and buy a B&W.

You should not have any problems hitching or unhitching!

Flame on!

Cummins is trying to be helpful here. He has been a strong supporter of the B&W hitches, and has taken some flame for it in the past.

I had a B&W installed last April, when I changed trucks. I've used several brands of hitches, without a lot of problems. When twisted at an angle, up hill or down, most hitches are hard to open. I have yet to have my B&W not open easily, no matter what position the truck and trailer are in.

I would change to a different hitch, instead of fighting with what ever brand I had, if it was not working for me.

Happy Holidays to all,
Jerry

undercover wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
This is a recipe for dropping the 5er!

Most of the damaged trucks I have seen have REESE hitches. Seriously I would sell what you have and buy a B&W.

You should not have any problems hitching or unhitching!

Flame on!

First, anyone who ends a post with "flame on" is purposely being incendiary.

So how many damaged trucks have you actually seen?

I seem to recall a poster having an issue with the pins that hold the B&W hitch jaws in place. Could be a one off, but I read it on the internet so it has to be true.

Try being constructive for a change.

When I was a rookie, I found the cause, as many others have stated and that is taking too much weight off, it's fine to let the springs work a little.

/Flame Off

Flame on is for the few B&W haters out there that post something negative every time I make a positive statement about B&W.

Be constructive for a change? I was telling him to sell what he has and buy a B&W.

I have seen a lot of damaged beds and most had reese hitches with the big handle or other brands with similar mechanisms.

Can't tell you how many but it is something I have paid attention for many years.

The B&W pin you are referring to was holding the guys locking handle open. He just did not close the handle. If he tried to he would have realized the handle was locked open.

I attach my break away cable to the handle when it is closed and use a padlock not a pin. There are jerks out there!

Better?

I have been told that if you have a Ford this is a common problem. After backing up, if you hold the break peddle down with your foot and then apply the parking break leaving your foot on the break peddle (so the truck won't roll) you can then release the break peddle and this should fix the problem. I have used this method many time and have no problem opening the hitch.

Cummins12V98 wrote:
This is a recipe for dropping the 5er!

Most of the damaged trucks I have seen have REESE hitches. Seriously I would sell what you have and buy a B&W.

You should not have any problems hitching or unhitching!

Flame on!

First, anyone who ends a post with "flame on" is purposely being incendiary.

So how many damaged trucks have you actually seen?

I seem to recall a poster having an issue with the pins that hold the B&W hitch jaws in place. Could be a one off, but I read it on the internet so it has to be true.

Try being constructive for a change.

When I was a rookie, I found the cause, as many others have stated and that is taking too much weight off, it's fine to let the springs work a little.

/Flame Off