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11-28-2017, 10:19 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: West Hills
Posts: 125
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Bad start
Just got back from a 5 week trip. It started very badly when the trailer came unhitched and destroyed the tail gate. I deterined that it would never happen again and created a safety chain setup.
__________________
Jeff Frankel
2013 Cougar 297RKWS
2019 Ram 2500 6.4l Diesel
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11-28-2017, 10:24 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Pickens, SC
Posts: 326
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pakuma
Just got back from a 5 week trip. It started very badly when the trailer came unhitched and destroyed the tail gate. I deterined that it would never happen again and created a safety chain setup.
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Been there done that didn't even get a t-shirt. Not fun. I have often wonder why there is no safety chains.
Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
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11-28-2017, 01:29 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Near Saratoga Springs,
Posts: 1,131
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That's the reason I have a 5th wheel tailgate - did mine unhitching - and a Blue Ox Bed Saver which I now seldom use since I've found the B&W hitch is (almost) idiot proof. Almost since it was used once and saved the truck's bed.
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11-28-2017, 01:39 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Central Massachusetts
Posts: 616
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Sorry your dealing with that situation. Did you determine the cause of separation? Was it a mechanical failure or human error? Hope there wasn't to much damage. I think you were fortunate, it could have been much worse.
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JimQ
2012 Ford F 250 Super Duty Lariat 6.2 ; 3.73
2022 KZ C271BKHSE
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11-28-2017, 03:15 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Solomons
Posts: 3,874
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I want to upgrade to a 5er next year. I need to learn from you all how not to do this.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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Tom
2019 Alpine 3651RL
2016 F350 CC DRW
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11-28-2017, 03:44 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Waco, Tx
Posts: 5,457
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tbos
I want to upgrade to a 5er next year. I need to learn from you all how not to do this.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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Do a pull test before raising the front jacks.... every time..
Javi
__________________
2015 Ford F350 DRW 6.7 Diesel XL
2020 Avalanche 313 RS
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11-28-2017, 04:06 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Rural Minnesota
Posts: 102
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Javi
Do a pull test before raising the front jacks.... every time..
Javi
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I like that idea Tex!
__________________
"Once you can accept the universe as matter expanding into nothing that is something, wearing stripes with plaid comes easy. " Albert Einstein
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11-28-2017, 04:15 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Germantown, TN
Posts: 6,335
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What Javi^^^^said. On our very first 5ver the mechanic who installed the hitch walked me through the thing and the first and last item he covered was exactly "pull test every time."
__________________
Jim in Memphis, Wife of 51 years is Brenda
2019 F450 6.7 Powerstroke
2018 Mobile Suites 40RSSA
2021 40' Jayco Eagle
2001 Road king w/matching Harley sidecar
2021 Yamaha X2 Wolverine 1000
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11-28-2017, 04:24 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Sussex, NJ
Posts: 471
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Javi
Do a pull test before raising the front jacks.... every time..
Javi
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The only thing I do differently is I raise the jacks about 1/2 to 1 inch then do the pull test. I don’t remember who suggested it but I know when I would tug my previous trailer, the trailer brakes didn’t always engage right away so it would move forward just a bit. If the jacks are all the way down this puts lateral stress on them which always seemed like a bad idea to me. If the trailer and hitch part, which shouldn’t happen if I’ve done my job right, then it only drops an inch but doesn’t hit the bed rails or tailgate.
__________________
2016 Fuzion 414 Chrome
2016 Ford F450 Super Duty King Ranch
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11-28-2017, 05:45 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Monroeville
Posts: 1,550
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Growing up after my parenst bought their first 5er they had a hitch much heavier than what was needed for the small 5er they bought, and it had a large mechanical locking bar that slid behind the pin that you could see from behind. So after hearing the "click" we would crouch over a bit and look back up to the hitch to verify the bar had slid across. Never had an issue. I am not sure how the modern hitches have changed, as this was in 1998 or so.
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2014 Bullet Premier 29bh in Charocal
2019 Ram 2500 HD 4x4, CC, 6.4L
2011 Passport 2510RB (Sold)
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11-28-2017, 07:25 PM
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#11
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,357
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Javi
Do a pull test before raising the front jacks.... every time..
Javi
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BINGO!! Haven’t dropped a fiver on a bed yet since 1989.
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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11-28-2017, 08:46 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 4,224
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Javi
Do a pull test before raising the front jacks.... every time..
Javi
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X5?? to this with jacks DOWN, if you high hitched and pulled up the jacks up 1.5" off the ground, then your pin is sitting on the jaws with 2,000# to 3,000#+, much easier to pull free if no weight on the pin.
I will add after the pull test, I also do a visual check to be sure the jaws are fully closed.
Right on Javi!!!
__________________
Russ & Paula and Belle the Beagle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 DRW 14,000# GVWR (New TV)
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS 32’ GVWR 12,360
Visit and enjoy Oregon State Parks
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11-29-2017, 10:19 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Nevada
Posts: 2,695
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Dittos on the Andersen hitch.
__________________
Desert185 🇺🇸 (Retired Chemtrail vendor)
-Ram 2500 QC, LB, 4x4, Cummins HO/exhaust brake, 6-speed stick.
-Andersen Ultimate 24K 5er Hitch.
-2014 Cougar 326SRX, Maxxis tires w/TPMS, wet bolts, two 6v batts.
-Four Wheel 8' Popup Camper.
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11-29-2017, 10:21 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Waco, Tx
Posts: 5,457
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rhagfo
X5?? to this with jacks DOWN, if you high hitched and pulled up the jacks up 1.5" off the ground, then your pin is sitting on the jaws with 2,000# to 3,000#+, much easier to pull free if no weight on the pin.
I will add after the pull test, I also do a visual check to be sure the jaws are fully closed.
Right on Javi!!!
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Make sure that the pin box always has to climb the hitch pad and you will never high hitch..
__________________
2015 Ford F350 DRW 6.7 Diesel XL
2020 Avalanche 313 RS
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11-29-2017, 11:40 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: West Hills
Posts: 125
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I did, and drove it around the RV Park before I left and it came out as we were going out the gate. Did a pull test and a visual inspection. I ust have missed something since I then took it on the rest of our 4,000 mile trip without incident.
__________________
Jeff Frankel
2013 Cougar 297RKWS
2019 Ram 2500 6.4l Diesel
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11-29-2017, 01:12 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 4,224
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Javi
Do a pull test before raising the front jacks.... every time..
Javi
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rhagfo
X5?? to this with jacks DOWN, if you high hitched and pulled up the jacks up 1.5" off the ground, then your pin is sitting on the jaws with 2,000# to 3,000#+, much easier to pull free if no weight on the pin.
I will add after the pull test, I also do a visual check to be sure the jaws are fully closed.
Right on Javi!!!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Javi
Make sure that the pin box always has to climb the hitch pad and you will never high hitch..
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pakuma
I did, and drove it around the RV Park before I left and it came out as we were going out the gate. Did a pull test and a visual inspection. I ust have missed something since I then took it on the rest of our 4,000 mile trip without incident.
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I think this should cover it!
If you raised the jacks before the pull test, then there is considerable weight on the pin, and if for some reason you are "High Hitched" then it takes considerable force to pull out from under it. The visual check is done as a backup to the pull test.I look from the back to make sure the jaws are completely shut and the pin is correctly seated in them, then I lock the hitch!
Sorry for the damage to your TV, hope the sidewalls didn't get pulled in.
__________________
Russ & Paula and Belle the Beagle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 DRW 14,000# GVWR (New TV)
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS 32’ GVWR 12,360
Visit and enjoy Oregon State Parks
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11-29-2017, 02:23 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Near Saratoga Springs,
Posts: 1,131
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I know nada about an Anderson.
I do know about a B&W though. It 'clanks' when closing on the king pin and the release handle is tight. If that release handle isn't tight but loose and floppy, the king pin isn't locked. I always do a pull test with chocks in place to reduce bending stresses on the puny Lippert landing gear plus a visual inspection. The only time I 'tested' the now seldom installed Bed Saver is about the third time I used the last 5er and when I neglected to chock the wheels. The 5er rolled back when I released the hitch.
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11-28-2017, 07:02 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WI
Posts: 424
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tbos
I want to upgrade to a 5er next year. I need to learn from you all how not to do this.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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Buy an Andersen Hitch.
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11-28-2017, 05:53 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Liberty, Texas
Posts: 5,036
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I had a failure to hitch and just caught it when doing a tug test. Front feet just off the ground and with tailgate down. Near heart failure when I saw the pinbox sliding back down off the hitch. I caught it and got it back under control. It was a very unlevel site and bad weather. I was in a hurry.
__________________
2018 Ram 3500 Laramie CC DRW LWB 4X4 Cummins Aisin 3.73
Reese Goosebox 20K
2018 Heartland Landmark 365 Oshkosh
2008 Bigfoot 25C9.4 LB Cabover
2023 CanAm Defender SXS
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11-28-2017, 06:01 PM
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#20
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Centennial
Posts: 26
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I have always done a tug test. It was the first thing beat into me when I first drove semis. Saves a lot of damage.
__________________
2008 Raptor 3600RL single bay toy hauler. 2000 Dodge Ram 2500 4X4 with Cummins 5.9L and 5 speed manual transmission.
2011 Harley FLHTCU.
Retired LEO, Veteran
I'm growing older, but I'll never grow up.
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