i got to hand it to you, you're a lot more calmer than i would be.
If you are referring to me being calm, getting pissed at Pullrite won't help anything. I turned it all over to my insurance company, that has all the information needed to decide whether they will or not go after Pullrite for the damages.
The pictures of the damaged hitch where Pullrite says it was caused by lack of lubrication, would be great to send to my insurance adjuster, if I had the letter from Pullrite that says that.
Like I stated previously, Pullrite does make a good product, but not everything is fail proof.
This is the picture I took moments before it came out. I can't find anything wrong that I did.
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JR
2016 Forest River Heritage Glen 276RLIS
2017 Chevrolet Silverado LTZ 2500HD Duramax
Pasco, Washington
I am curious to know what your motivation for taking a photo "I took moments before it came out" and how would any know it was taken just prior to the failure or at an earlier time?
__________________ Regards, Bruce
Current TT: Northwood Snow River 246RKS
2015 Ram 3500 DRW Cummins Diesel w/AISIN Tranny
I am curious to know what your motivation for taking a photo "I took moments before it came out" and how would any know it was taken just prior to the failure or at an earlier time?
The wife took the picture, she was taking some pictures of the grandkids and the campground as we were getting ready to leave. She noticed I was having a terrible time trying to hitch up, it had previously failed once before, and decided to take the picture. Thought it was a good idea too.
I never sent this picture to Pullrite, they made their decision based upon the hitch head that I sent back. I was just asking others if they noticed anything wrong that I might have done. I don't see anything, a second set of eyes is always a good thing.
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JR
2016 Forest River Heritage Glen 276RLIS
2017 Chevrolet Silverado LTZ 2500HD Duramax
Pasco, Washington
The pull test is not conclusive. I did the pull test on my pullrite and it didn't give way. That is until I made a 90 degree turn and then went about 100 ft. Then the hitch gave way and the 5th wheel dropped my bed. Over $10000 later, I'm glad I was insured. I was told by a hitch "expert" at our dealer that tthe only way to check the hitch is to make sure the handle is secure and locked and the hitch "fingers" are securely around the king pin
The pull test is not conclusive. I did the pull test on my pullrite and it didn't give way. That is until I made a 90 degree turn and then went about 100 ft. Then the hitch gave way and the 5th wheel dropped my bed. Over $10000 later, I'm glad I was insured. I was told by a hitch "expert" at our dealer that tthe only way to check the hitch is to make sure the handle is secure and locked and the hitch "fingers" are securely around the king pin
Computer Nerd, thank you, you offer some good advice and a great example of what can happen. I'm going to speak my mind one last time and move on.
See the picture in my previous post. Sure looks to be secure, do you see anything wrong that I have done before it pulled out moments later?
Wife was taking pictures of the campsite before we left and caught this one. Pullrite hitche are supposed to be very high quality, but you will never see me buy another one. They didn't stand behind their product, they made accusations that it was my fault. I do have a new hitch head, it works great, easy to hook, easy to unhitch, the old one never worked like the replacement, from day one. I read the instructions, I asked the dealer if I was doing anything wrong, I was not. It was going to go back to the dealer when I got back, but completely failed. $6700 damage to my trailer and $8600 to my pickup.
The trailer is supposed to be finished and ready to pick up tomorrow, there is no hurry, because we are done traveling for the year.
__________________
JR
2016 Forest River Heritage Glen 276RLIS
2017 Chevrolet Silverado LTZ 2500HD Duramax
Pasco, Washington
The pull test is not conclusive. I did the pull test on my pullrite and it didn't give way. That is until I made a 90 degree turn and then went about 100 ft. Then the hitch gave way and the 5th wheel dropped my bed. Over $10000 later, I'm glad I was insured. I was told by a hitch "expert" at our dealer that tthe only way to check the hitch is to make sure the handle is secure and locked and the hitch "fingers" are securely around the king pin
I was told by a hitch "expert" at our dealer that tthe only way to check the hitch is to make sure the handle is secure and locked and the hitch "fingers" are securely around the king pin
FYI - There are no "fingers" on a pullrite hitch.
If you examine the graphic of a locked pullrite hitch head you will see it is darn near impossible for a latched pin to release; unless the lock bar does not engage because of hitch head damage or dirt in the mechanism that causes the release handle not to snap all the way closed.
Lack of lubrication of the hitch head components and the rails (rail lubrication requirements attached) or a "high hitch" attempt that damages (bends) the "U" release arm can cause hitch failure.
A dirty hitch "U" lock and pin, coupled with an incompletely closed release handle, can cause friction with will drag the "U" lock open due to pressure on the unsecured "U" lock and the geared release handle.
I put a lock though the opening above the release handle (sorry no photo but if you look at yours, where is goes is obvious). It is impossible to retract the "U" pin retainer with the release handle properly stowed (down on the ramp welded to the release handle (shown as a rectangle on the graphic of the handle).
I also installed one of "Butch's pin catchers" to be triply safe.
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Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
Regardless of the brand , in case of failure - Blue Ox bed saver is the best insurance to be had for a 5tywheel . We got ours before the first pull.
I WAY prefer Butch's design for the Pullrite hitch because the Blue Ox bed saver design for a Pullrite requires the entire bed aft of the hitch head to be free of cargo so it can move with the hitch.
The Blue Ox Pullrite design bolts to the rotating Pullrite hitch head and swings around the bed as the hitch turns.
My booklet only said to use wd40 on rails and to lube the hitch head rocker spring, that's why I asked
You have the new style hitch with the nylon plate and hitch body clamp under the rotating hitch head yoke.
The old style was steel on steel and the rails can gall without the lithium grease. Best top photo I have of the steel on steel type. Bottom photo was after I modified my hitch to the new style.
Note the black "pad" under the yoke support between the support and the rails.
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Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
Just a few parts are different and are "mostly" drop in fit.
The only part I changed is C4 in the bottom graphic; everything else is original on mine.
The nylon covered lower cam ("C") is a complete assembly and I did not change as it was beyond a "driveway" upgrade and cost almost what a new hitch was going for.
WARNING - THIS IS NOT A PULLRITE APPROVED MODIFICATION
As with all internet hacks (mods), proceed at your own risk. Pullrite will not even mention that this is possible and I will not provide any additional guidance (I have no wish to be sued at my age - or any age for that matter).
Here is the new manual for anyone who is interested in what the new hitch looks like.
My booklet only said to use wd40 on rails and to lube the hitch head rocker spring, that's why I asked
Mine as well and it's only 1 year old tomorrow.
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Les and Bonnie with 4 Leggers Bella and Shelby
2011 Cedar Creek Touring Edition 36RE 3 slide Full Body Paint pushing our 2015 Ram 3500 Laramie 4x4 CCSB SRW - Anderson Ultimate Hitch