When attempting to unhitch my fifth wheel from my Reese 16k manual slider I can't pull the lever to release the jaws without lots of maneuvering back and forth. This has happened three times in a row and is very unnerving. The trailer and truck are both level. has anyone experienced this?Another question, when hooking up should the jaws be closed or open? I have seen it done both ways?-BC-

When unhitching,after the trailer is level and secure,simply lift the wieght off the hitch and back up a 1/4 inch then you will be able to pull the lever and release the trailer.Then pull forward and complete leveling.Always connect with the jaws closed assuring that the arm is in the closed position after backing into it again.

put the truck in neutral and relase the pressurebthen open it. You can hook on with them closed.

This happens when there is pressure on the hitch created mostly when the truck and trailer are unleveled.When it happens to me I move the truck slightly forward/backward while my DW pulls the hitch handle-it works just fine.

When I had my old hitch, I had this problem, especially in my slight up hill driveway. I would block the wheels, put the truck in reverse, get out, pull the lever, get back in truck and pull out.I don't want to sound like a B&W sales person,(no offence to anyone) but this hitch is very easy to unhook at any angle.Just curious Chuck; do you ever use the slider? Jerry

Once the trailer is chocked, I have the wife get in the truck, release the parking brake, put the transmission in neutral, and foot off the brake. I raise the trailer off of the fifth wheel until I see movement or light between the plate and the pin box. If I cannot unlock the fifth wheel, I have wife put the truck in reverse and let the truck roll into the pin to release the jaws.

unhitching problems | Good Sam Community

houstonstroker
Explorer
Jun 24, 2013
I have a Reese Signature Series manual slider hitch and the one piece jaw has to be OPEN to hitch.
eHoefler
Explorer II
Jun 24, 2013
Once the trailer is chocked, I have the wife get in the truck, release the parking brake, put the transmission in neutral, and foot off the brake. I raise the trailer off of the fifth wheel until I see movement or light between the plate and the pin box. If I cannot unlock the fifth wheel, I have wife put the truck in reverse and let the truck roll into the pin to release the jaws.
MFL
Nomad II
Jun 24, 2013
When I had my old hitch, I had this problem, especially in my slight up hill driveway. I would block the wheels, put the truck in reverse, get out, pull the lever, get back in truck and pull out.

I don't want to sound like a B&W sales person,(no offence to anyone) but this hitch is very easy to unhook at any angle.

Just curious Chuck; do you ever use the slider?

Jerry
danoren
Explorer
Jun 24, 2013
This happens when there is pressure on the hitch created mostly when the truck and trailer are unleveled.
When it happens to me I move the truck slightly forward/backward while my DW pulls the hitch handle-it works just fine.
newman_fulltime
Explorer II
Jun 24, 2013
put the truck in neutral and relase the pressurebthen open it.
You can hook on with them closed.
yankeeflyer
Explorer
Jun 24, 2013
When unhitching,after the trailer is level and secure,simply lift the wieght off the hitch and back up a 1/4 inch then you will be able to pull the lever and release the trailer.Then pull forward and complete leveling.Always connect with the jaws closed assuring that the arm is in the closed position after backing into it again.

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unhitching problems

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