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03-15-2014, 05:40 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Northeast Tennessee
Posts: 188
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Basic Fifth Wheel Question
I just got my first fifth wheel and there is something I don't understand about the mechanics of the hitch. The model that we had installed is a Draw Tite 16K. I don't understand exactly what the locking lever does. To hook up, you put the lever in the lock position then back into the kingpin. The hitch jaws spread out around the kingpin and then snap back once the kingpin is in the proper position. What prevents the kingpin from slipping back out when you pull forward? If the jaws will spring open when you back into them, why won't they do the same when you pull forward? I know it works, but don't understand why.
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Ron and Elizabeth
2014 Rockwood 8285-IKWS
2006 Ford F250 6.0 Diesel 4x4
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03-15-2014, 05:52 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Clarksville Va.
Posts: 10,422
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rburns4147
I just got my first fifth wheel and there is something I don't understand about the mechanics of the hitch. The model that we had installed is a Draw Tite 16K. I don't understand exactly what the locking lever does. To hook up, you put the lever in the lock position then back into the kingpin. The hitch jaws spread out around the kingpin and then snap back once the kingpin is in the proper position. What prevents the kingpin from slipping back out when you pull forward? If the jaws will spring open when you back into them, why won't they do the same when you pull forward? I know it works, but don't understand why.
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I can not answer your question directly, but what I did with my hitch I took a bar and used it like my pin to see what happens when I back into my hitch, After that I was able to figure it out, and couldn't do that with the trailer in the way. You might try that if you can.
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Coachmen M/H
Concord
2018 / 300 DSC
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03-15-2014, 06:15 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Seaford, De
Posts: 2,377
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my hitch came with a plastic pin just like the one on the 5th wheel. I was curious like you and used it to figure it out. I have a Curt hitch, and on it, the left side drops down after both sides close, locking them in place.
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David & Lynn 2014 Coachmen Chaparral Signature 327 RLKS 2016 Ford F350 Lariat CC Dually
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03-15-2014, 06:55 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 289
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The unlock lever you pull opens and latches the hitch jaws. They spring closed when the kingpin enters the hitch while you back. The hitch lever moves as well, indicating the hitch jaws are closed. Some hitches have a pin that holds the lever in the closed position. See here for the DT website for your hitch. Look at the install instructions there for a full explanation of how the hitch operates on pages 5-8.
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2014 Blue Ridge 3715BH <- Read the saga
2013 Sierra 3500HD Denali CCLB DRW 4x4 Duramax w/ Reese 20K
USN Retired (26 years), but not Retired retired
Home Port Orlando
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03-15-2014, 06:56 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 9,839
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Basically it is spring tension on a lever.
As you pull on the handle you are pulling on a spring that holds the jaws shut thru leverage.
Is this the one?
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...62922401,d.cGU
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2016 F350 6.7L LB CC Reese 28K 2014 Chaparral Lite 266sab
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." 2014 19 days camping 2015 17 days camping201620 days camping
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03-15-2014, 08:03 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Northeast Tennessee
Posts: 188
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Thanks everyone. Good info. I am learning.
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Ron and Elizabeth
2014 Rockwood 8285-IKWS
2006 Ford F250 6.0 Diesel 4x4
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03-15-2014, 08:07 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 289
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The important thing is to be confident with your equipment and know its capabilities and limitations.
__________________
2014 Blue Ridge 3715BH <- Read the saga
2013 Sierra 3500HD Denali CCLB DRW 4x4 Duramax w/ Reese 20K
USN Retired (26 years), but not Retired retired
Home Port Orlando
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03-15-2014, 08:32 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 592
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rburns4147
Thanks everyone. Good info. I am learning.
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Always, always give your trailer a tug test before moving. Raise the landing gear so it's barely off the ground and give it a good tug to make sure it's latched up properly. Could save your bed but more importantly it could save someone's life.
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03-15-2014, 08:58 AM
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#9
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NELA
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 3,221
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RKR
Always, always give your trailer a tug test before moving. Raise the landing gear so it's barely off the ground and give it a good tug to make sure it's latched up properly. Could save your bed but more importantly it could save someone's life.
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FINALLY! Thanks! It made no sense to me to do the test pull with the landing gear supporting weight of the trailer, as (IMO) it could warp the landing gear (by dragging it) during the test pull.
"barely off the ground" makes sense. With ours, it's so minimal you *might* be able to shove a tree leaf under it, but with enough clearance that the feet don't drag.
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If age is a state of mind, and I've lost my mind, I'm AGELESS, right?
Give me 40 acres and I'll turn this rig around:
Flagstaff 5er 2014 8528 IKWS, Platinum Package, Regency Interior "Buffy"
F250 Super Duty 2013 Tuxedo Black "Biff"
Days camped 2014: 30
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03-15-2014, 10:32 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 289
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I lift the landing gear just off the ground and manually engage the trailer brakes for the pull test.
__________________
2014 Blue Ridge 3715BH <- Read the saga
2013 Sierra 3500HD Denali CCLB DRW 4x4 Duramax w/ Reese 20K
USN Retired (26 years), but not Retired retired
Home Port Orlando
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