Forum Discussion

luggage's avatar
luggage
Explorer
Nov 02, 2013

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 of a time pulling the handle to open the hitch for the hook-up. Either because I had back surgery last year and am still having some issues. Even though I'm 70 I considered myself fairly fit with exception of the back. I think I will try to stand on a stool to give me more leverage because standing on the ground it's all I can do to pull the lever. Do all fifth wheel hitches require the same amount of pull as the one I have. Can the hitch be safely modified to make it easier to pull without compromising the effectiveness of the hitch? If not I am going to have to figure what muscles are key to the pulling (i.e. shoulder, arms and wrist) because I really can't put any stress on my back and pulling from the ground reaching over the side of the bed maybe part of the problem. May be I am just doing it wrong. Definitely need to talk to my RV dealer. Thanks for listening and any advice will be appreciated.
  • Gib3633's avatar
    Gib3633
    Explorer
    Nov 15, 2013
    Sorry Old Biscuit thought you were giving me a shot:
    Its a 50/50 thing whether it will release the pressure or not and yes I would agree to neutral if you have a functioning parking brake. We are mostly seniors and possibly to sensitive to some responses. On tractor trailers we have spring brakes on tractor and trailer and do not have parking brakes on our fifth wheels. My observation has been more often than not movement when the release is pulled depending on the lay of the land on both type of vehicles. The point I was trying to make was that the release pulls easier with two hands than with one. No hard feelings intended
  • mdamerell's avatar
    mdamerell
    Explorer
    Nov 07, 2013
    Grillmeister wrote:
    Even professional truck drivers need a little relief sometimes, especially when hooking and un- hooking several times a day. I have seen several use a handle / hook about two or three feet long with a handle on one end and a hook on the other.


    It's more about not getting grease on your sleeve/shoulder or getting dirt/muck from the drive tires on you. The bottom of the bolster plate is covered with grease. If the 5th wheel was over greased the handle will also be greasy. Most use the hook to stay clean.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Nov 06, 2013
    Gib3633 wrote:
    Old - Biscuit Keep scratching and you will figure it out


    I doubt that.....you see there is absolutely nothing wrong with placing truck in neutral to relieve the pressure off of the hitch jaw/king pin.
    There's this device called 'parking brake'. It holds vehicle from rolling and is also good for keeping pressure off parking pawl if you have an automatic transmission.

    So instead of a 'cute' remark....explain your reason for "I wouldn't be putting my truck in neutral"

    Maybe I'm missing something :H
  • azjeffh's avatar
    azjeffh
    Explorer
    Nov 05, 2013
    OB,

    Think he hasn't quite grasped the "total" concept.

    Since using this suggested method, I've never been in any parking situation where it did not work.

    Recently ran into someone this Labor Day Weekend who could not release his hitch. I suggested he temporarily put it in Neutral to relieve the load on the pin, voilĂ , problem solved. He told me "all these years of RVing and still learning" :C
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Nov 04, 2013
    Gib3633 wrote:
    The higher the truck the harder to reach . I also can't pull standing on ground. I find quite easy stepping up on tire then using both hands. I wouldn't be putting my truck in neutral. If your back won't allow stepping up on tire you will need a step ladder as mentioned


    WHY :H
  • Allworth's avatar
    Allworth
    Explorer II
    Nov 04, 2013
    When I moved from a 2500 to a 3500, I bought a small stool (about 9" high and 10x12" top surface) at Big Lots. Light weight plastic. It travels in the front bin on top of everything else. Just enough height to be able to reach into the bed to unlock the breakaway, get the safety lever, and then pull the handle.

    About $4.00.

    By the way, get white or yellow so it doesn't get left behind or run over.
  • Tom_Diane's avatar
    Tom_Diane
    Explorer
    Nov 04, 2013
    I ran into the same problems when we bought our first 5er. I had to stand on my tippy toes or jump up and hang on the edge of truck box and pull the pin lever. After about 5 of those events, I started snooping and looking at others 5er hitch, I realized the dealer had my pull handle up side down. One quarter inch bolt holds it on and I just turned it so the lever was now even with my truck box Problem solved!
  • Gib3633's avatar
    Gib3633
    Explorer
    Nov 04, 2013
    The higher the truck the harder to reach . I also can't pull standing on ground. I find quite easy stepping up on tire then using both hands. I wouldn't be putting my truck in neutral. If your back won't allow stepping up on tire you will need a step ladder as mentioned

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