Dont Forget........To Latch you Hitch

[BeaverRZR]

Hooked up to leave for Sunriver on Thursday. Deviated from my normal pre-haul hookup routine and these are the results. Amazingly enough, the truck folded like cheap paper and not barely a scratch on the trailer

[SAD]

pull test, pull test, pull test...!

[Dhuhn]

I feel for you. I had a slight mishap, I needed to move my 5er a few feet back lucky for me I had my front landing gear a few inched off the ground when i went to stop the 5er keep going and put a slight dent on my driver side rail. Not as bad as yours. from that point on I always make sure the pin is latched before I move it. If nothing else use this as a learning experience. :(

[Festus2]

Ouch :eek: The pictures are "worth a thousand words". None of them, however, would be appropriate for use of this family forum.

Not a good start to a camping trip. :(

[skdooman2004]

my brother did the same thing with his new dodge, got it fixed{$9800}, next time he took it same thing!!!! so he did it twice, thinking maybe it might be hitch? is that a husky hitch in your bed?

[BeaverRZR]

my brother did the same thing with his new dodge, got it fixed{$9800}, next time he took it same thing!!!! so he did it twice, thinking maybe it might be hitch? is that a husky hitch in your bed?

Wow I couldnt imagine doing this twice! Its a REESE ProSeries 20k. Not the Hitch's fault. This was 100% on me.

[bsmith0404]

This post is in perfect timing with the Blue Ox Bed Saver post. Have seen way too many trucks like this driving around. I still won't buy one, but it definitely presents a good argument. I'll just stick to my current routine, check and double check followed by a pull test. I'll wait until I deviate from my normal routine and drop the 5er on my truck causing $10,000 worth of damage before I spend $200 to prevent it. Guess I'm bull headed :)

[BeaverRZR]

I dont think i need a bedsaver. I can save the 200 bucks because my wife will never let me forget this mistake lol :D

[bsmith0404]

I dont think i need a bedsaver. I can save the 200 bucks because my wife will never let me forget this mistake lol :D

Too bad she allowed it.....and you said it was your fault :D

[matandjen]

Wow that stinks. Glad to see the RV held up though. Any other issues with the truck other than the bed damage?

[Bombfixer]

When I did this, an old RVer told me that "its not a question of IF you will ever drop one on your truck, but WHEN."

[gkainz]

ouch. Sorry to hear/see that. Makes me glad my hitch couples up with the handle in the closed position. Kind of comforting watching the handle extend then drop back into the closed position as I back into the hitch pin.
I still visually inspect the kingpin and latch, as well as do a pull test EVERY TIME (knock wood ... so far).

[Kristi]

:eek: Ouch! Glad the hear at least the 5er was okay.

[Jager]

Beaver - you're a heck of a guy to post this. I did the same thing about 8 years ago and the LAST thing I was going to do was take pictures. I was so embarrassed. I got the truck fixed that very same week. It was a completely stupid mistake on my part getting the 5er out of storage after a long winter and I got side tracked in the middle of hook up. I've had multiple 5ers too and was very experienced at the time. I'll never do it again.

Also, 4 years ago I ended up buying a used 2500 truck from a guy and the bed was damaged the exact same way. He dropped his 5er on it too (blamed his wife for not hooking it up correctly). It is more common than you think. I would encourage everyone to establish a hook up and disconnect procedure and STICK to it!

[gilpinbrewer]

So school me guys... I purchased my first 5er and trying to learn about all the terms. What is High Hitching? It sounds like the biggest thing to do is take your time and pay attention when hooking up. Any tips/tricks are appreciated :)

[bsmith0404]

High Hitching is when the jaws of the hitch are around the bottom of the king pin instead of the collar, or the king pin is sitting on the jaws. Basically you had the king pin too high for the jaws to properly secure and latch to it. All of the tips and tricks have already been listed, have the trailer a little bit lower than your hitch, set a routine and stick to it, visually check that you have a good connection, and do a pull test before raising the landing gear.

[gilpinbrewer]

That is kind of what I thought it meant. Thanks again!

[Jager]

It's not just high hitching. The other thing to watch out for is backing into the king pin but forgetting to latch it before you raise the jacks and try and pull the camper anywhere. Most of the accidents I have seen (and mine) where because I got side tracked and didn't latch the collar like you're suppose to.

[SmittysRV]

ouch. Sorry to hear/see that. Makes me glad my hitch couples up with the handle in the closed position. Kind of comforting watching the handle extend then drop back into the closed position as I back into the hitch pin.
I still visually inspect the kingpin and latch, as well as do a pull test EVERY TIME (knock wood ... so far).

Yes, this is a must IMO. My Husky automatically locks shut/closed when I back into the hitched position. If I don't hear that "click" or see the handle move to the "locked" position I know there is something not lined up. Granted, I still visually inspect and conduct the ol pull test....

[crash]

Ouch:banghead:I painted my jaws chevy orange so it is easier to see and when mine locks it it has a pin that goes thru the handle and the 5th wheel plate to make sure it wont come unlocked.I still pull test it to.

[Desert185]

It would seem, that in this case, the Anderson Ultimate Hitch would have the advantage.

http://www.andersenhitches.com/Catalog/ultimate-5th-wheel-connection.aspx

[SmittysRV]

It would seem, that in this case, the Anderson Ultimate Hitch would have the advantage.

http://www.andersenhitches.com/Catalog/ultimate-5th-wheel-connection.aspx

I like that set up. I currently have the 25K Air Safe set up and love the ride. Taking it out of the truck is a PITA:eek:

http://www.airsafehitches.com/25k.html

[BeaverRZR]

Ouch:banghead:I painted my jaws chevy orange so it is easier to see and when mine locks it it has a pin that goes thru the handle and the 5th wheel plate to make sure it wont come unlocked.I still pull test it to.

great idea on the orange paint

[poncho62]

ouch. Sorry to hear/see that. Makes me glad my hitch couples up with the handle in the closed position. Kind of comforting watching the handle extend then drop back into the closed position as I back into the hitch pin.
I still visually inspect the kingpin and latch, as well as do a pull test EVERY TIME (knock wood ... so far).

I figured they all did this...When I back into mine, its spring loaded, the handle snaps across and down....Then I put the safety pin in

[chuckster57]

When I back into mine, its spring loaded, the handle snaps across and down....Then I put the safety pin in


Yup, but not before I put it in drive and Give it a slight tug. Been a "habit" since '89.

[SmittysRV]

I figured they all did this...When I back into mine, its spring loaded, the handle snaps across and down....Then I put the safety pin in

Ya me tooo.:confused:

[dave-g]

that really sucks-
I painted the jaws white- so they are really easy to see when looking in the hitch really helped.

2. you may want to check a local truck body shop for a new bed. May places that put utility bodys on trunks take off brand new beds- and sell them cheap.

good luck

[sw342]

Yes, this is a must IMO. My Husky automatically locks shut/closed when I back into the hitched position. If I don't hear that "click" or see the handle move to the "locked" position I know there is something not lined up. Granted, I still visually inspect and conduct the ol pull test....


My Curt is the same way. Its like a Semi truck hitch, where you back in and it automatically locks the jaws of the hitch around the king pin. Its a nice setup.