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frostydon's avatar
frostydon
Explorer
Apr 07, 2015

unhitching

We have a new 36 ft. Bighorn with the 6 point level up. When we try to unhitch, we extend the landing gear to get some clearance from the truck's Curt hitch and the truck is being lifted. There isn't any clearance between the truck's hitch and the camper's plate. We can't get any clearance because the truck is being lifted. What can we do to resolve this scarey situation.
  • Take a look at this video (about 6 minutes in) to review how to disconnect. It sounds like you're trying to lift the trailer too much.

    Curt Mfg video
  • There is very little vertical play in the Curt hitch, but there is some. As you raise the front of the camper, you just have to watch carefully for the point at which there is no load on the truck but before it starts lifting the truck. If you can't see the plates separate, then get a flashlight and wat h the pin in the jaws. There is about 3/4 inch vertical play. Stop raising the camper when you see the pin move in relation to the jaws of the hitch. It may help to paint the rear of the pin white.
  • I agree with Hiking. I'm not familiar with the Curt hitch, but I'd think there's at least a fraction of an inch play at the point where the trailer comes off the hitch plate before it starts lifting the truck, and that's the sweet spot. I have a simple Reese hitch and there's about 1/4" of play where I can release easily. Anything less or more makes the release difficult or impossible.
  • When truck suspension is unloaded stop raising trailer, release hitch jaws and drive out from under trailer
  • We switched to a Curt Q24 a couple years ago. We are very happy with it, but there is very little room where it will release easily. First time we unhitched we ended up unpinning the top half from the legs to get off. Then we moved the truck and released it from the king pin. It took a little while but eventually we found the sweet spot for releasing it. As others have said take your time and you will get the hang of it. One idea may be to have one person trying to release while the other adjusts the landing gear. Raise it some, try to pull, raise it a little more, try again etc. You can see it but it is a narrow window.
  • I have a hard time with my Curt also, of course I am a less than 1yr. 5er newbie so that contributes.

    I am not sure it matters but I usually make sure my last movement was in reverse.
    Sometimes I have to get my wife to hold the lever open while I slowly pull the truck forward.
  • Thank you to all who responded to mt hitch issue. On our next stop I will use your suggestions . It all make sense.

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