Electric or pneumatic assist pin box

[Jeff from Burlington Ont]

We have a Husky 16k pin box for our 5ver. The problem is that the spring on the release handle is very strong. The hitch is 5 years old and has not gotten any easier to pull. I am pretty strong and it is a struggle for me, but it is impossible for my wife to pull it. This stops her from being able to take the trailer out by herself and a group of ladies.

I have emailed Husky, but there was no response.
Has anyone found a after market product that uses electric or pneumatic assist to solve this problem? I have a compressor in the front of the trailer, so a pneumatic would be easy power. I am also willing to replace the whole pin box if needed

[SilhouettePenny]

I assume you are an experienced trailer hauler and have already covered the basics. Lube on the hitch head friction surfaces. Chalking the trailer tires and shifting the TV to neutral in order to release pin pressure. Then remove and invert the hitch head to check the slide bar (if that's what you have) for binding. The handle on double jaw hitch heads seem to function easier but they could be bent or binding also.

Keep us posted when you find the cause of the problem so we can learn also.

[18CrewDually]

After you chock the trailer wheels and put the landing gear down, put the truck in reverse to take the strain off the pin. Pull the release and pull away.

[Skyliner]

Originally Posted by 05CrewDually

After you chock the trailer wheels and put the landing gear down, put the truck in reverse to take the strain off the pin. Pull the release and pull away.

Its a 2 person job for us to unhitch. DW drives forward and back a 1/2 inch to find the sweet spot for me to yank the release handle. We are almost always on sloped uneven terrain when we hookup and unhook. On level terrain its a snap to unhook.

[18CrewDually]

Originally Posted by TonyD

Its a 2 person job for us to unhitch. DW drives forward and back a 1/2 inch to find the sweet spot for me to yank the release handle. We are almost always on sloped uneven terrain when we hookup and unhook. On level terrain its a snap to unhook.

Exactly. It's the nature of the beast.
To make it a one man (or woman) job, back up tight to put slack on the pin and then set your parking brake to hold it if you're on a hill. Works fine for me.

[ependydad]

Why not upgrade to a hitch that doesn't require that kind of tomfoolery? After watching 2 different delivery drivers have to futz with positioning of their truck to the pin, I was more than sold on my B&W fifth wheel hitch.

[Kenny kustom]

I release my handle before lowering the legs. As the trailer goes up, the hitch opens and the pin comes out.


2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

[18CrewDually]

Originally Posted by Kenny kustom

I release my handle before lowering the legs. As the trailer goes up, the hitch opens and the pin comes out.


2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

You live life on the edge......... my luck something would roll and I'd have a kustom crushed bed.

[Kenny kustom]

Originally Posted by 05CrewDually

You live life on the edge......... my luck something would roll and I'd have a kustom crushed bed.

Sorry. It should have said....
Unlatch AFTER the legs touch, but BEFORE the weight is taken off...




2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

[18CrewDually]

Originally Posted by Kenny kustom

Sorry. It should have said....
Unlatch AFTER the legs touch, but BEFORE the weight is taken off...




2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

Oohh. OK. Glad we got that out there.
That technique works in my driveway and is what I always try first but when you're on a hill and there's pin draw pressure on the jaws or slide bar I have to do what I described above.

[Kenny kustom]

I guess, it would also depend on the design of the hitch.
My " pin" only blocks the handle.. Which is not forced tight.


2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

[18CrewDually]

Originally Posted by Kenny kustom

My " pin" only blocks the handle.. Which is not forced tight.


2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

I'm not following. When I say "PIN" I'm referring to the pinbox component that the jaws lock around.
What do you mean it only blocks the handle?

[shorthorn]

Interesting problem... I have to say I am glad I went with the B&W... when we unhook my 9 yr old climbs in the bed and pulls the plug out and opens the handle... I just pull forward... no force required at all.

[Jeff from Burlington Ont]

I should have also noted, that the handle is really hard to pull and latch into the open position even when the trailer is not hooked on. I am going to check at the dealer today and at the campground this weekend how hard the hitches on other people's tow vehicles are.

Thanks Everyone for the good information