2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Ouch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bart]

I dropped my brand new 5th wheel on the bed of my 98 dually. Of course the bed rails are toast. Does anyone know where a guy could pick up a good truck bed as close to SoCal as possible? Red would be nice but not a requirement. Thanks

 

[DonTX]

It seems that trick is like landing a retractable with the wheels up - there are those that have done it, and those that WILL do it.

Mind sharing how it happened so maybe some of us won't do it?

 

[Grizzly]

When I had a 5th wheel I had a check list attached to the inside door of the electric jack switch. I had everything list that I must do to get the trailer hooked up to the truck. Then I would set a heavy pad lock to the hitch to make sure that no one pulled the release lever when we were parked somewhere. The list included every safety thing I could think of. Let's face it, there is a lot to do to get ready to make a trip and we can't always remember everything, especially us older farts. I had a simular list for my camper.

 

[DNewell]

I've personally gotten into the habit of doing everything the same way, every single time. Generally, to make sure, I keep the pin closed, back into the trailer gently until I feel the latch mechanism catch, and then pull forward very, very gently. This way, you can feel the positive lock of the hitch prior to driving off... Also, Grizzly, I've got a circle lock kind of thing that locks the safety flap down to ensure that punks don't pull the pin. I also attach the brake safety cable through this loop.

As for the bed, look at local junkyards. just be thankful you didn't have a flatbed... Salvage the tailgate because I learned the hard way with my 5er that if you pull away and damage the gate because you didn't put it down, you'll have a pain trying to find another one relatively cheap. There's also a product on the market that you mount to the hitch that catches the trailer pin if this ever happens again. Basically it catches the trailer, and then when you jam on the brakes, the trailer slides back up into the yoke on the hitch, and all is good. I think they call it a catchers mitt or something...

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

It seems that trick is like landing a retractable with the wheels up - there are those that have done it, and those that WILL do it.

Mind sharing how it happened so maybe some of us won't do it?

My money is on the likelihood that either the hitch latch bar didn't properly lock, or wasn't engaged at all - and when the landing legs were cranked up and truck driven forward - BANG!



Pretty sickening when it happens - and NOT likely to happen a second time! No, never done it myself - YET! :-laf

 

[Grizzly]

Salvage the tailgate because I learned the hard way with my 5er that if you pull away and damage the gate because you didn't put it down, you'll have a pain trying to find another one relatively cheap.









Speaking of tailgates, I have a V notch vented chrome tailgate for 5th wheels from my 2nd gen Dodge for sale if anyone is interest. It won't fit my 3rd gen Dodge. Biggest problem is shipping the big awkward thing.

 

[fkovalski]

I ... Does anyone know where a guy could pick up a good truck bed ...

You may want to look on your local CraigsList. I have seen several dually beds for sale in the Denver for around $500-$900.

 

[Bart]

Salvage the tailgate because I learned the hard way with my 5er that if you pull away and damage the gate because you didn't put it down, you'll have a pain trying to find another one relatively cheap.









Speaking of tailgates, I have a V notch vented chrome tailgate for 5th wheels from my 2nd gen Dodge for sale if anyone is interest. It won't fit my 3rd gen Dodge. Biggest problem is shipping the big awkward thing.

Too bad there isn't a truck bed in Alb* I could get both it and your V notch tailgate at the same time. Hint, know of one around there?:-laf

 

[Bart]

You may want to look on your local CraigsList. I have seen several dually beds for sale in the Denver for around $500-$900.

I looked all over my area and neighboring states for one. I found three, two were already gone and one is available in Tahoe for $500. I'll check the Denver area to see what's cooking. Thanks

 

[jmy]

I dropped my brand new 5th wheel on the bed of my 98 dually. Of course the bed rails are toast. Does anyone know where a guy could pick up a good truck bed as close to SoCal as possible? Red would be nice but not a requirement. Thanks

Bart,



Riverside auto wrecking shows a bed for a 3500 in stock.



Riverside Auto Wrecking (Riverside)

Phone 209-869-3611







All Foreign Auto Parts (Las Vegas) shows a 3500 bed with one missing fender in stock.

Phone 800-797-4607









Navarra Truck and Van Dismantlers (San-Jose)

shows a RED 3500 bed with one missing fender in stock. Phone 800-628-2772







Pickup Salvage Co. (Bakersfield) shows a 3500 bed in stock. Phone 800-323-1401

 

[Bart]

Many thanks JMY. I'll be checking them out tomorrow. Thanks again.

I don't know how you got this information, but it's great.

I checked 'em out on the web and all have sites except the Riverside yard

Bakersfield has 4 of 'em

San Jose has 2 of 'em

Vegas has 1 of 'em

I'll see about Riverside tomorrow. You did great. Super, I owe you at least a beer.

 

[Boondocker]

My trailer salesman taught me a hitch verification technique that I use. After visually checking to see that the jaw has captured the pin, raise the landing gear about 1 inch, get in the truck, hold the manual trailer button on the brake controller, and pull forward gently. You should be trying to drag the trailer against its brakes. However, if you're not securely hitched, you'll pull away from the trailer and it will drop 1 inch. I said gently! If you drop the trailer, you don't want it to have enough momentum to bend the landing gear. This is a bit tedious but positive. Now get out, raise the landing gear, and finish your routine.

P. S. I have a list, laminated, that is taped to the kitchen window (by the door), facing out. I read it every time.

Regards,
Neil

 

[CumminsPower98]

I use Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market to find used parts. Give that a try if you haven't already.



I run a B&W companion 5th wheel hitch and it has positive jaws that leave no doubt when hooked. I also pad lock it so I don't have to worry about some punk messing with me. Of course I always do a visual before driving too.

 

[SnoKing]

I like a slide bar type hitch like the Hijacker. If the bar goes in, you are latched. Having said that, I almost dropped my Terry twice, re-spotting it in the RV garage. That is, unlatch and then decide that it is not positioned correctly. SNOKING

 

[DonTX]

The guy I bought my truck from used another tactic, seemed to have worked. He painted the part of the jaws that you can see when the trailer is secured white. Day or night, you can glance at the jaws and see for sure they are latched. I still have to paint my jaws, but that looks like maybe a good thing to do.

I guess Bart is not going to tell us just how his mishap happened.

My Reese 16k has a rod that pops in when latched, I guess that is an assurance that it is latched securely.

 

[Bart]

I guess Bart is not going to tell us just how his mishap happened.



Okay, the story is this; I got the brand new 5th wheel on Thursday evening and took it hold. As Dodge ALWAYS spends it's nights in the garage when it's home. I un hitched it from the 5'r and put it away. The next morning at 4:30 a. m. I was awake. So, I decided to go out and work on the things I want to change. My Dad always said I have to change everything I get. :-laf

I backed the Dodge under the pin but it hit like it was already locked. I move forward and tried it again with the same results. I checked and it was open. I thought I was off to one side. No luck. I thought I was either too high or too low. Several attempts at different heights did the same thing. I guess I finally got it to load by going load. I looke back and there a white pointer that shows when it's "IN" place. I raised the front legs ALL THE WAY UP. D. A. !!! Without checking, I pulled forward and that's when the education started. :{ I got out and ended up using a 12 ton bottle jack to raise it up because the legs wouldn't work. I jacked it up off the truck. Lowered the legs and drove out from under it. The truck was toast, but the 5'r didn't have a scratch.

On an update note, You won't believe it but my insurance company wants to "TOTAL the truck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #@$%! At first I told them that they were crazy as a bed bug (really) but now I guess I'm going to accept the money and the buy back and fix it myself. I bought a complete bed from a young man up in Lake Tahoe, Ca and drove up there and back in less that 20 hours. That included a 4 hour nap. I'm going to have the bed completely stripped and repainted all for around $1500. Go Figure, No wonder our premiums are so high.

That's my story

 

[DonTX]

Thanks Bart, that is helpful, especially to me since my fifth wheel experience is limited to hooking up, bringing it home, and unhooking it so far.

 

[cojhl2]

Well Bart, I still don't know why it did not hook.



But... . I think I can speak for all semi drivers. We hook and unhook all the time and this is how I do a hook.

1)Back as inline as possible to the trailer.

2)Before the 5th wheel is under the kingpin, get out and look to make sure the height is correct and the jaws are open.

3)Back into the 5th wheel until you feel the latch.

4)Pull very easily fwd and see if the trailer wants to follow. . remember your landing gear is still down and you don't want to tear it off.

5) Set the brakes get out and hook up air and electric.

6)Raise landing gear all the way.

6)Lock trailer brakes and attempt to pull ahead very easy. The trailer should hold you from doing this

7)Check all lights and tires etc. .



Unhook follows these steps.

1)Set all brakes

2)Unlatch 5th wheel

3)Unhook air and elec

4)Crank down landing gear

5)Make sure kingpin can clear the towing vehicle (tailgate in your case)

5)Move towing vehicle ahead very slowly

6)Have a cool one!!



This does not eliminate Grizzley's issue but I never allow myself to be interrupted from the time I start until the tractor is out fron under the apron. That way I have kept from dropping a trailer. (Knock ion wood)



I did have a situation one time where I could not get a straight shot into the kingpin so it was hard to determine if I was centered. The kinping ran around the edge of the 5th wheel and "high hooked" me. That is not a good thing! So that is one more thing to watch out for. .



As for your bed,, I would have converted toa flatbed but since you found one you are good to go. . (cept for paint)

 

[Bart]

Well Bart, I still don't know why it did not hook.





2)Before the 5th wheel is under the kingpin, get out and look to make sure the height is correct and the jaws are open.



Please tell me what is "the correct height"?

Thanks for the information. I can almost guarantee that I'll NEVER move the rig again before (in my case) blocking the wheels and trying to move forward with the landing gear "DOWN"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That was burned into my mind. I think any "semi" normal person would only do that once in his life!



Thanks again

 

[Grizzly]

My trailer salesman taught me a hitch verification technique that I use. After visually checking to see that the jaw has captured the pin, raise the landing gear about 1 inch, get in the truck, hold the manual trailer button on the brake controller, and pull forward gently. You should be trying to drag the trailer against its brakes. However, if you're not securely hitched, you'll pull away from the trailer and it will drop 1 inch. I said gently! If you drop the trailer, you don't want it to have enough momentum to bend the landing gear. This is a bit tedious but positive. Now get out, raise the landing gear, and finish your routine.

P. S. I have a list, laminated, that is taped to the kitchen window (by the door), facing out. I read it every time.

Regards,

Neil

Good suggestion with the landing gear