Help unhitching!

[Obewan]

Help! New to fifth wheels but had TT with Hesley Arrow previously. I've read all the manuals that came with the hitch, read as many posts as I can find but still can't find my problem.

I've had no problem hitching but unhitching is another story! I have a Pullright 24k nonslider hitch and MorRyde pin box. My procedure is to lower the front landing gear just enough to remove the weight from the truck. Then I can't get the handle to pull! I've tried pulling the truck forward and even tried backward, raising more, raising less, spraying all the moving parts listed on the manual with white lithium grease and nada. It's taking me 30-45 mins before something happens and it miraculously moves. It works easy when unhitched so I know it's something I'm doing wrong. Dealer hitched it first time and I made sure it rode up on the plate when I hitched to prevent high hitching. A friendly neighbor tried and couldn't get it either.

[Obewan]

Thanks to all! Pulled the lever before putting any weight on the front landing gear - worked like a charm! First pull! Does scare the bejesus out of me not having any weight on the front landing legs when I pull the disconnect but it works! Just dropped them to touch the ground.

[jimwooster]

Chock the wheels! Put the truck in neutral. You will feel the pressure release and put it back in park. Works everytime. PM if it works. I had same problem and finall figure neutral takes the pressure off the hitch.
Jim

[lpxguy]

luckeydr wrote:

bpounds wrote:

lpxguy wrote:
hmmm my B&W will release even with pressure on it...guess it's a design thing.

You find that reassuring? I wouldn't.

Until you use one, you would not understand.

BINGO!

[luckeydr]

bpounds wrote:

lpxguy wrote:
hmmm my B&W will release even with pressure on it...guess it's a design thing.

You find that reassuring? I wouldn't.

Until you use one, you would not understand.

[rhagfo]

lpxguy wrote:
hmmm my B&W will release even with pressure on it...guess it's a design thing.

Yep, pivot points in front of the jaws, one reason I don't like it! The pin is always trying to pull the jaws open. With my Reese pulling forward forces the jaws shut! I know this andd so once 5er is chocked if the release gives me any issues I just pull forward a bit, and set the parking brake.

[bpounds]

lpxguy wrote:
hmmm my B&W will release even with pressure on it...guess it's a design thing.

You find that reassuring? I wouldn't.

[lpxguy]

hmmm my B&W will release even with pressure on it...guess it's a design thing.

[Racine96]

As some people said, put the FW tire blocks and back up a little to release the pressure.

[Veebyes]

If no release with simple pull step one, place truck in neutral to release pressure on pin, No release? Step two, DW gently backs truck to relieve pressure on pin. BINGO! Works every time.

[Obewan]

Thanks! I'll be moving the camper on Sunday and will try some of these suggestions and report back.

[Coach-man]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
According to Pullrite

1)Set trailer wheel chocks to prevent forward/aft movment
Back into the blocked trailer slightly and set the parking brake while the truck is still in gear.
This action will relieve pressure on the Lock Jaw Assembly before attempting to pull the Release Handle.
2)Lower the trailer jacks to the point of just touching the ground but do not raise the trailer at this point.
3)Open the Lock Jaw Assembly by first lifting, then pulling the Release Handle towards you.
4)Lower the trailer jacks until the bottom of the King Pin Box is almost free of the top of the 5th Wheel Plate
Make certain that the bottom of the King Pin is not so high that binding on the hitch Lock Jaw Assembly would result

X2, except I find with my set up that after backing into the hitch, I place my tranny in neutral, then set the brake. It seems to let the pin settle in the center so there is no pressure forward on backward!

[bpounds]

Obewan wrote:
...I've tried pulling the truck forward and even tried backward, raising more, raising less,...

I fought this at first, until I figured it out. You want to backup your truck, to be certain there is no pressure pulling against the jaws. I know you said you tried backing up, but the problem may be that you backup, maybe set your parking brake, maybe not, but either way when you take your foot off the service brake your truck wants to roll forward. And then you've still got the issue. Worst case is when you backed uphill into your site. Truck wants to roll on you.

Try having your partner in the truck, with the truck in reverse, holding rearward pressure against the chocked trailer, while you pull the release lever. I also find it helps to take the weight off the hitch head, with just a tiny gap between the plates, but it should work either way. If you're by yourself and have to do that, you'll have to chock the trailer, chock the truck too, and leave the transmission in reverse while you pull the lever. Caution! And I don't know what to do if you've got a manual trans.

[BB_TX]

Similar problem with my Reese Elite. Just take most of the weight off, put the truck in reverse, let it bump softly into the hitch, put in park, handle pulls easily.

[Cummins12V98]

cmeade wrote:
I am glad I have a B&W. I unpin the lever take the weight off the fifth wheel and pull forward. Friend has a Curt and he has to be centered and straight in front of 5er and no side to side angle or his won't release either.

I have the B&W but I take the weight off "THEN" open the handle.