Forum Discussion

cchristanis's avatar
cchristanis
Explorer
Jun 25, 2015

Driving with landing gear partially extended?

I tried doing a search on this but only found stuff on landing gear that doesnt answer my question. So, I have a torque 301 5er TH and was wondering about this. If there ever was an emergency and the TH disconnected from the hitch wouldnt it prevent major damage to the TH by having the landing gear partially extended or even fully (not that I would do that). I know the breakaway will apply the brakes but the front of the rv is going to drop and have some damage without a doubt especially at higher speeds. There is no way the gear is going to catch something in the road being extended a little bit. I have an andersen ultimate aluminum hitch by the way and absolutely love it! I have safety chains too but Im working on getting a different way to cennect them to the bed cause my Ram came with the 5er prep and the hooks are squareish. The safety chains dont connect to the hooks without adding something in between. I have to remove the ends and put different ones on. Here are pics to explain:
http://www.amazon.com/Andersen-Mfg-Ultimate-Connection-Safety/dp/B00J6ZGWXY

https://www.etrailer.com/p-RP30145.html
Seeking Advice
  • kaydeejay's avatar
    kaydeejay
    Explorer
    Jun 25, 2015
    There is a good chance the landing gear would simply fold under the front of the TH. Then what will you have gained other than bent landing gear!
  • BTPO1's avatar
    BTPO1
    Explorer
    Jun 25, 2015
    kaydeejay wrote:
    There is a good chance the landing gear would simply fold under the front of the TH. Then what will you have gained other than bent landing gear!


    X2, I don't have a 5er, but I agree with the above post. If you have that much mass moving it isn't just going to stop and drop on the landing gear with out folding the landing gear over. JMO
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Jun 25, 2015
    Besides when 5vr comes disconnected it smashes the truck bed and tears up the tailgate........landing gear will not be of any saving benefit.

    IF you are really concerned with 5vr disconnecting........get a 'bedsaver'

    It is a safety catch device that captures 5vr king pin should 5vr come unhitched and stops damage to truck

    Bedsaver
  • valhalla360's avatar
    valhalla360
    Navigator
    Jun 25, 2015
    At that point I would rather have the insurance company call it a total loss rather than have them "fix" it and then find out later there was more damage.
  • Community Alumni's avatar
    Community Alumni
    Jun 26, 2015
    Having towed a 5th wheel for many years in the past, if it comes unhitched while driving, the least of your problems will be damaging the landing gear! Having the landing gear particially down would never be an option to me.
  • NMDriver's avatar
    NMDriver
    Explorer
    Jun 26, 2015
    I never put mine all the way up, not because I think it will help in an accident but because it takes a long time and I do not like to hit the top of the worm gear with the leg nut. I generally use the manual leg extensions and only use the electric for 5-6 inches of travel to unhitch and level up.

    I do not worry about the 5er falling off behind the truck. I do worry about it trying to come through or ride up over the back of the cab in an accident :(

    I do have a bed saver and it has saved my bed twice. Once when I parked on a bunch of prairie dog holes and the legs sank into the ground after I started to pull out from under the hitch and once when I failed to engage the pin lock before doing my pull test. Real learning experience....Always do a pull test and always check the ground you are parked on.

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