robertbick
Upstate NY
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I don't see a problem with getting behind the truck to check that the jaws are around the kingpin after hitching. When I do it the 5er is still resting on its landing gear. How is that dangerous?
Bob
2008 Chevy Silverado 2500HD 4X4 LTZ
2010 Keystone Cougar 276RLS Pictures
PullRite Superglide 14K Hitch
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mowermech
Billings, MT
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Joined: 06/28/2003
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robertbick wrote:I don't see a problem with getting behind the truck to check that the jaws are around the kingpin after hitching. When I do it the 5er is still resting on its landing gear. How is that dangerous?
I totally agree. However, my Husky hitch has an indicator on the front of the hitch that shows if the pin is in the proper place, then the safety latch can't be engaged if the jaws are not properly closed, so there is no need for me to get back there. Once those two indicators are observed, I can safely do the pull test, connect the umbilicals, and I am good to go.
With utilizing situational awareness and attention to detail, and allowing NOTHING to distract me from the job at hand, I have never dropped the trailer on the bed rails.
I hope to maintain that good record forever.
CM1, USN (RET)
'94 Dodge 3500 4X2 CTD, 5 speed, 4.10 LS diff., Jacobs Rambrake, 274,000 Miles
'99 Monaco McKenzie 32' triple slide
'95 Tioga 29H Ford-based Class C
Daily driver: '08 Subaru Outback
Towed: '06 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited/Load Trail 16' flatbed
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RVER
West of Boston, MA
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VERY important piece is DO NOT LET ANYONE DISTRACT YOU when hitching of unhitching. Tell them you will talk to them after you are secure and done.
Chevy Silverado 2500HD with Duramax engine and Allison transmission
2002 Sunnybrook 34BWTS with lots of goodies
Pullrite Superglide Hitch, Prodigy brake controller
S and S Co-Travelers and along for the ride is Ketzel the wonder cat.
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sandy meadows
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Thanks to everyone for the info on this I will be hooking for the first time on my own this weekend. never got any instruction on pull test when i picked up fifth wheel
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afdds
California
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You can imagine that I'm a little nervous about hitching up again this weekend. Of course I don't have the bedsaver yet.....Paint the kingpin white... don't talk to anyone ....stop and go back to the beginning of the check list if we get distracted.
High hitching.....I understand what it is.... checking this is on the check list, but how to you identify that YES, you have high hitched. Will there be space or daylight in between the two plates?
Debra
F350 Lariat,Crew Cab long bed 4x4 Diesel
Heartland Big Country 3500RL
"Our home is where the Air Force sends us!"
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cruz
Prescott, AZ
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Had our 5'er in for service last year and the DEALER dropped ours on one of HIS trucks when they were moving it. 
Total damages on both came to just over $5,000.
yes he paid every penny...
CRUZ
HR & Beth
2006 Chevy Silverado LT3 3500HD, DRW, D/A, CC, LB, 4x4 and RED
2008 Jayco Designer 35RLTS
Cassie - pure Black Giant Schnauzer
Mollie - pure White Mini Schnauzer (the boss)
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RVER
West of Boston, MA
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Debra,
Relax, this happens to alot of us and we do know what it feels like to be in your shoes. YOU now know what to look for, also if your horseshoe plate tilts backa and forth, you want the pin plate(on the RV) to ride up the horseshoe plate on the hitch so you start it lower then if it were lower and it rides up and then you will never hitch high. But if the horseshoe on the hitch does not move then just back up slowly, hubby on the side of the truck and move backward slowly until you are almost about to hitch, put it in park and get out and LOOK to see if the plates are going to slide on one another and the pin is centered where it should be when you back up again. IF it all looks good, now get back in and slowly let it go into the hitch and then stop, put it in park and now look from the back, is the pin head down below the jaws of the hitch, if so lock it up and you should be fine but just bring the legs up about an inch and pull the rig about a foot or two then stop and bring the legs up. There should be a way to lock the arm down just as an extra measure of safety. This all should have been gone over with the dealer you bought from but....
Also, why not have hubby back into the hitch and you watch from side of truck sometimes so both of you know the way to do it and realize how frustrating it cam be to line up right. Steering wheel with hands at 9 and 3 and if you want the rear of rig to go left bring the left hand up from 9 to 12 or further around and same for if you want it to go right bring right hand up from 3 to 12 or further around. Once it starts to turn the way you want it while backing in, you follow it in but bringing the hand you brought up and around now bring it back so your truck is following it into the space.
Just a woman's opinion
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afdds
California
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Ok, just checked on carparts.com and there is a list of hitches so you can order the right Bedsaver. My Curt E5 16K is not listed! I also checked on Blue Ox and I don't see my model number. Is it possible that I can't use the Blue Ox Bedsaver?
If anyone has time, can they please check online at carparts.com and make a suggestion on which one to order. I could also wait until Monday and call Blue Ox.
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afdds
California
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cruz- I hear ya....We picked up the BC from Camping World to find out they over extended the landing legs and messed up the pins. Bent them in half! This was the BC's first trip into the service bay and it comes out with a BooBoo!
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rick83864
Sandpoint, ID
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afdds wrote:You can imagine that I'm a little nervous about hitching up again this weekend. Of course I don't have the bedsaver yet.....Paint the kingpin white... don't talk to anyone ....stop and go back to the beginning of the check list if we get distracted.
High hitching.....I understand what it is.... checking this is on the check list, but how to you identify that YES, you have high hitched. Will there be space or daylight in between the two plates?
I don't have experience high hitching but my 1st guess would be is that the jaws do not completely close around the king pin, the pull test will let you know. I always have the pin box slightly lower than the hitch so the truck springs need to compress a bit to get under the pin box. Don't worry, I'm sure you have done your homework. Good luck
06 Dodge 3500 Laramie 4x4 Dually
5.9 Cummins HO Automatic,Jacobs brake, Dodge Navigation
06 Grand Junction 34' Mor/ryde, 5500 Onan genny, Dual A/C, Fireplace
21500 GVW
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