Unhitching (and re-hitching) with Tow Vehicle angled down from fifth wheel

[tld]

Would like your thoughts and experience regarding unhitching and re-hitching when the tow truck is angled down from the fifth wheel. My hitch is a Reese Elite and the skid plate does pivot front to back a few inches. My driveway slopes down to the sidewalk, the sidewalk is level, and then the driveway slopes again to the street. If I back to where I would want to unhitch, my front jacks will be on the level sidewalk. The back axle of the truck will be about five inches higher than the front axle. I'm wondering if the angle will cause a problem for my kingpin to disconnect from the hitch.

[jasin1]

Originally Posted by tld

Would like your thoughts and experience regarding unhitching and re-hitching when the tow truck is angled down from the fifth wheel. My hitch is a Reese Elite and the skid plate does pivot front to back a few inches. My driveway slopes down to the sidewalk, the sidewalk is level, and then the driveway slopes again to the street. If I back to where I would want to unhitch, my front jacks will be on the level sidewalk. The back axle of the truck will be about five inches higher than the front axle. I'm wondering if the angle will cause a problem for my kingpin to disconnect from the hitch.

I would think by your description that the truck would get lower and lower as you try to pull away because of the slope..could bind?
A Anderson or gooseball hitch may work better

[bobbecky]

We’ve been in very strange situations, not only high and low, but also the truck and trailer twisted in opposite directions, and if you can disconnect, you can reconnect, it just might take a bit longer going back and forth until you get it just right.

[jasin1]

Originally Posted by bobbecky

We’ve been in very strange situations, not only high and low, but also the truck and trailer twisted in opposite directions, and if you can disconnect, you can reconnect, it just might take a bit longer going back and forth until you get it just right.

This is a strange one to me it’s basically a hill with a level sidewalk bisecting it midway …I guess technically the trailer would still be on the same angle as the truck because the trailer wheels are on the upper slope of the hill..but the sidewalk was confusing me….whether or not it would change the angle of the hitch pin…I guess it wouldn’t? But how would the landing gear remain level unless you had wedges under the pads?

I probably misunderstood

[GMH]

Sounds like the OP will need some really good wheel chocks!

[chuckster57]

I would think if the pin box is flat on the hitch when you release, then you should be ok. The few inches it pivots is actually a wider angle than you think.

Just thinking out loud.