What happens when you are distracted

RustyJC wrote:

fj12ryder wrote:
But if you'll notice: it looks like the hitch arm is pinned open. Doing that almost guarantees that you'll drop the 5th wheel at some point.

I believe we've had this conversation before. B&W's INSTRUCTIONS specifically state to pin the handle in the open position when unhitching:

STEP 7: UNATTACHING TRAILER

Lower landing gear and block the trailer wheels. Raise the trailer until the tongue weight is removed from the truck. Then, unpin the Companion RV handle and rotate to the open position to unlatch the jaws. If the jaws do not open, readjusting the landing gear may relieve pressure and allow them to open. Use the safety pin to lock the handle in the open position and when you are sure that the landing gear will support the trailer, move the truck forward to release the jaws from the kingpin. The jaws will always open when the pressure of the trailer is taken off the RV Companion as the truck pulls away.

I've followed this procedure since installing my first B&W Companion in 2001 and haven't dropped a trailer yet. If someone chooses to do it differently, that's fine, but don't crucify the OP for unhitching in accordance with B&W's procedures insofar as pinning the handle open is concerned. He just missed the little landing gear thingy! :S

Rusty

Rusty, I think we all =ass=umed that this was a hitching accident, not unhitching. We now have the full story from the OP.

Lyle