Reese fifth wheel hitch question

[Berrigan]

Almost every time I go to disconnect my fifth wheel from the truch it binds up and the handle wont pull. Its a Reese 15 k double pivot. The handle pulls and works smoothly when disconnected. It also connects fine. I think it might have to do with the truck loading either forward or backward on the trailer. I have to lock the trailer brakes and rock the truck from forward to reverse then get out and try pulling the handle. After a couple tries it will release.



To all you well seasoned fifth wheel folks out there do you think its the forward pull that unbinds it or the rearward pull. Or is my hitch bad. Thanks Bill

 

[TRLRTRSH]

hitch binding

When we put our new hitch in I also did not think of the binding issue We finally figured out, after putting the landing gear down and jacking the 5er up, put the trans in netural and the truck will roll either way, forward or back depending. This normally allows the tension off the kingpin I don't tear my arm off trying to pull the handle out

 

[Ron Bissett]

Handle pull?

You have a 4x4 is the trailer level ? when you unhitch dose the lip of the king pin after raised to proper hight to clear the top of the hitch about 1/4 inch clearance of the plate and bottom of the pin box (and springs unloaded) and the lip of the pin not lifting the jaws of the hitch . ? if so you will not have any thing to bind. Could be that the angle pin box to hitch (not level) Pin lifting bottom of jaws . The handle should only need to be pulled out of the notch and the jaws will open , as you pull foward out from under the pin box. If you pull the handle all the way out and you have forgotten some thing like no blocks on trailer wheels fore and aft Or Legs not down. This could save you a bent side rails or two . Its happened . Ron Bissett in Metro Louisville Ky entry level over fifty years.

 

[B.G. Smith]

Since you have the double pivot hitch the two things that will cause it to bind when unhitching are tension between the truck and trailer, (truck pulling forward on the kingpin) and fth wheel kingpin raised too high causing the nub on end of kingpin to lock the hitch in closed position. As stated above, after putting the 5th wheel front jacks down and raising the trailer until the weight on hitch is just released, the tension can ususally be released by putting the transmission in neutral (then back into park before releasing the hiutch of course). This will work best when the parkiong surface is fairly lever and firm front to rear. In situations where the surface might be soft or the level is way off front to back, some help from the co-pilot might be in order. bg

 

[Snellville-Dave]

I usually have the same problem. I've only used it a few times now. I think most of the previous relpys are correct about getting the pressure off the hitch. The other problem I'm having is breaking the cotter pin on the release handle. I think I'll go back to my first repair using coat hanger wire, because they seem to be stronger than the cotter pins I've used.

 

[bballard]

Mine is the same model and does the same thing. After I have raised the trailer with the landing gear and the release lever is still too tight, I put the truck in reverse and carefully put a little tension on the hitch, place in neutral, and set the parking brake. You can then pull the release with two fingers.

 

[B.G. Smith]

Originally posted by Snellville-Dave

The other problem I'm having is breaking the cotter pin on the release handle. I think I'll go back to my first repair using coat hanger wire, because they seem to be stronger than the cotter pins I've used.

On a friendly note, if you ever see me standing or parked somewhere you want to be, just let me know and I will gladly move. You must be quiet a hoss to break the cotter pin. bg

 

[Shooter]

When you raise the 5th wheel the front arcs to the rear and the rear springs on the truck arc to the front putting a bind on the pin.



I chock the wheels ( wedge type between the tires ) before dropping the landing gear shoes.

I plant the landing gear and raise the front of the fifth an inch or so, then release the E brake and put the trans in neutral. Finish raising the fifth, at this point there is no bind on the pin. I put the E brake back on and pull the release handle with no effort. Get in, release the E brake and start the engine and gently pull from under the trailer.



If you read your instructions they say to leave weight on the fifth wheel, so that when you pull out the trailer pin plate slides down the 5th wheel. Same when hooking up, the 5th wheel starts tilted back and rolls up to the horizontal.



JMHO



Happy campin

 

[Berrigan]

Thanks for all the replies. At home I always have to park rear end up hill. I think the next time I hook up ill look at the geometry of every thing real good. Im sure I just need to get more familiar with the setup. Thanks Bill

 

[FCecelin]

Do what bballard does. .

set trl brakes back truck to pu t slight pressure on pin . set truck brakes . pull handle. . with landing gear down of course