Hard to pull release handle
I just purchased my first fifth wheel (Mountaineer) and dealer installed a Husky 16K slider hitch (short bed F250 diesel)in TV. I am embarrassed to admit what I am about to say but I am having a heck...
Forum Discussion
Old-Biscuit wrote:luggage wrote:
At the moment the 5th wheel is not hitched to TV. The hitch is in the locked position,that is to say the jaw is closed and not open. When I pull the lever out and back the jaw is open position. I just wondered if fifth wheel hitches require a lot of upper body strength to pull. Maybe need grease. Can you adjust them to reduce the required pulling to open jaws to receive the King pin?
No need to pull handle and OPEN jaw before hitching.
Just pull safety pin out and flip the latch up....then with the king pin plate set just slightly lower then the hitch plate back into hitch.
King pin will push jaw open and the jaw will close around king pin.
Do a visual check that hitch is latched (jaw wrapped around king pin) flip latch down and install safety pin.
When unhitching.....if handle is tough to pull place truck in neutral, take front off brake, let truck settle (slightly move) then put brake back on and truck in park. This will relief any tension on hitch jaw and king pin.
Try it and see if it is easier.
I also have the Husky 16k. If you don't pull the handle you're not hooking up. It won't force the hitch open AFAIK.
X2 on once trailer is set up and your ready to unhitch put the TV in neutral and let the truck settle. Set the emergency brake and put it in park. That takes the load off the hitch and it's not hard to pull the handle.
