Closing a Pullrite

[fidhleir]

I just replaced my Reese 16K with a new Pullrite Super 5th 20K hitch prior to taking delivery of my new 5er. With the Reese I always closed the hitch using the handle when not hooked up. The Pullrite manual says the hitch stays open. If you want to close it for safety you're told in the manual to "use a probe device to simulate the kingpin."

Maybe it's just me but this seems sketchy. What do all you Pullrite owners do? What do you recommend for a probe? (and I really hate throwing out that straight line but there you go)

[Ed9824v]

don't try hooking up if you forget to open another reason to keep open

[Cummins12V98]

Current PullRite hitch owners disregard what I am saying. This is for people in the market for a new hitch.

Does any of this business of choosing to leave the hitch open or closed make any sense? Then they want some special tool to close it or you have to carry a stick to close it?

No special latching or color coding with a B&W just close the handle and lock it.

[JamesBr]

I don't bother to close it, and I don't have to rig a way reach the handle like the B&W. I just make sure to hit it about once a month with Wurth spray lubricant (prefer it to WD40 as it lasts longer.)

If you really want it closed, just use a handle or something to hit the keyway that keeps it open and it will close. Just keep your digits out of the kingpin area.

[ckwizard777]

I keep a walking stick in the front of the fiver for this very reason, To trigger the latch shut.

[jnharley]

We close ours every time using the handle of a foxtail brush. Works great.

[Toolguy5]

Leave it open.

[RollandB]

I've always left it open and never gave it a thought to make it close. It did take a few trips to get used to the difference between it and the old Husky I had. Now I don't think twice about how it operates.

[notruffinit]

I like to close mine because I do not like springs under tension. I have a piece of rigid conduit long enough to close it from the tailgate. I guess either way it works but it is just my preference.

[musicman54]

leave it open

[BB_TX]

I had a Pullrite on my previous truck. I left it open any time we were traveling after unhooking. But at home between trips I used a wooden dowel rod to trip it closed. Did not want to take the chance one of the grandkids would mess with it and trip it on a hand/finger.

I do the same with my current Reese Elite as it has a similar latching mechanism.

[fidhleir]

Thanks, everyone (even the poor soul with the B&W). Looks like it's not a big deal so I won't worry. I'll still close it just because it puts the handle out of my way if I want to get around the hitch to access the toolbox.

[time2roll]

Leave open. Closed it once by hand to see it work.

[mileshuff]

I leave mine open. Why close it?

[mileshuff]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Buy a B&W.

Sorry I could not resist!

He wanted to upgrade from his Reese, not downgrade!

[Gonecamping444]

Leave open