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Old 11-28-2017, 10:19 AM   #1
pakuma
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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.
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Old 11-28-2017, 10:24 AM   #2
Terry W.
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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.
Been there done that didn't even get a t-shirt. Not fun. I have often wonder why there is no safety chains.

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Old 11-28-2017, 01:29 PM   #3
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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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Old 11-28-2017, 01:39 PM   #4
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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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Old 11-28-2017, 03:15 PM   #5
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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.


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Old 11-28-2017, 03:44 PM   #6
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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.


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Do a pull test before raising the front jacks.... every time..

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Old 11-28-2017, 04:06 PM   #7
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Do a pull test before raising the front jacks.... every time..

Javi
I like that idea Tex!
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Old 11-28-2017, 04:15 PM   #8
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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."
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Old 11-28-2017, 04:24 PM   #9
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Do a pull test before raising the front jacks.... every time..

Javi
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.
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Old 11-28-2017, 05:45 PM   #10
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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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Old 11-28-2017, 05:53 PM   #11
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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.
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Old 11-28-2017, 06:01 PM   #12
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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.
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Old 11-28-2017, 06:05 PM   #13
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Never had a problem with ours:
https://andersenhitches.com/Catalog/...onnection.aspx
Love that "Ball and Socket" reliability
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Old 11-28-2017, 06:16 PM   #14
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Never had a problem with ours:
https://andersenhitches.com/Catalog/...onnection.aspx
Love that "Ball and Socket" reliability
X's 2 on the Andersen! Drops on ball at nearly any angle. No tug test required; would like to have a 5er tailgate.
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Old 11-28-2017, 06:34 PM   #15
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X's 2 on the Andersen! Drops on ball at nearly any angle. No tug test required; would like to have a 5er tailgate.
Me too. I would like to get the Husky but my better half is balking at the $500+ price. I told her it's cheaper than paying $1500 to replace the stock tailgate. I got "the look" and she told me not to let the trailer become unhooked.
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Old 11-28-2017, 07:02 PM   #16
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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.


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Buy an Andersen Hitch.
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Old 11-28-2017, 07:25 PM   #17
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Do a pull test before raising the front jacks.... every time..

Javi


BINGO!! Haven’t dropped a fiver on a bed yet since 1989.
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Old 11-28-2017, 08:46 PM   #18
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Do a pull test before raising the front jacks.... every time..

Javi
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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Old 11-29-2017, 10:19 AM   #19
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Dittos on the Andersen hitch.
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Old 11-29-2017, 10:21 AM   #20
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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!!!
Make sure that the pin box always has to climb the hitch pad and you will never high hitch..
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