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Old 09-09-2013, 06:11 AM   #1
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Has anyBody ever had this happen?

We hooked up our 5th wheel. We have a Reese super 5th hitch. We looked to ensure that i
The locking mechanism was all the way around the pin - it was. We did a slow test pull of about 30 ft - always good. So we raised the jacks, finished our inspection, got back in the truck. We had pulled maybe another 5 ft. & the trailer came undone from the hitch & hit the truck. When we got out to see what the heck had happened, the hitch was in the closed position. We cannot figure out how this happened. We have never liked this hitch because it doesn't have a locking pin to ensure that it won't come undone. Anyone else ever have this happen? What did you do to prevent it from ever happening again?

Thanks!
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Old 09-09-2013, 06:21 AM   #2
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Mine has a pin latch that secures it. Never had a problem with it. I have had dropped it on the bed but it was not the hitches fault.

Sorry it had to happen. BTW, I bought a Blue Ox Bed Saver bolt on to my hitch for a double check, just in case.
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Old 09-09-2013, 10:04 PM   #3
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Thanks for the reply. This crazy hitch does not have a pin latch. We are actually going to dump this hitch & have one installed that has a pin latch. Will look into the blue ox bed saver.
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Old 09-10-2013, 06:08 AM   #4
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If you camp a lot, and have had it happen, you know the crunching sound of a fifth wheel dropping and the resulting profanities.

Happened to me twice and have heard it several times too. Just get it fixed and count it as a lesson in life.

The Bed Saver is a great investment!
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Old 09-10-2013, 02:30 PM   #5
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I have a product from a company called Butch's Service. You can go to 5thwheellatchkit.com to see all about it (or butchsservices.com). It's a simple gadged that cost about $60 and is a snap to install. It's "all the rage'...gotta get one!
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Old 09-10-2013, 10:48 PM   #6
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Thanks, I'll look into butch services.com. 5th wheel hitches shouldn't be sold without a pin locking system.
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Old 09-11-2013, 07:19 AM   #7
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Sorry about that issue. I have not experienced that personally but did see and hear it happen and was part of the team getting the unit back on the hitch correctly.

When I hitch up I always put the trailer brakes on full and move ahead with the pads 1" off the ground. If it's not hitched right it will come undone there and only hit the ground before the bed. This assures me that I am connected and locked up good. By just pulling ahead you are not putting enough pressure on the trailer to find a fault IMHO. If you do this I think 99% of time you will not have a failure. The bed saver is also a good idea for added security.
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Old 09-13-2013, 08:28 PM   #8
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If you are going to dump the hitch anyway, look into a B&W Patriot hitch. It fits your standard rails and the hitch head is the same top quality hitching mechanism as the Companion. When it locks it is locked plus there is a clevis pin you put through the release arm to insure that it stays hitched. When you look to see that the jaws are closed around the pin you have a good hook. With the B&W there is never any problem unhooking as with some of the other brands regardless of the angle to the trailer or the terrain. Some hitches will give you fits trying to unhook if you are not on a flat plane.

Ask any B&W owner how he likes his AMERICAN made hitch.

Steve
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Old 09-14-2013, 05:55 PM   #9
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In addition to using the pull test, I also crawl up in the bed close enough to verify that the hitch jaws are closed behind the pin.
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Old 09-17-2013, 07:07 PM   #10
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I always do a visual as well, never feel good about even trying the pull test without actually seeing it in place for myself, wont even take the Mrs. word for it.
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Old 09-27-2013, 09:17 PM   #11
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We did a visual & pull test & it still happened. So, we got a new husky 16kw hitch installed with locking mechanism that we can put a lock on as well as a blue oz type tray on the hitch. Shouldn't ever have that problem again. Thanks for all the feedback especially about the blue ox. Safe travels!
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Old 09-28-2013, 09:58 AM   #12
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Has anyBody ever had this happen?

X2 votes for the latch from Butch's... I put one on my Pullrite Superglide.

Simple...
Very well made (in the USA)...
Inexpensive...
...
...
AWESOME!!!
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