First time pulling a fiver...any pointers?

[K2Kevin]

Its early morning at Devils Lake State park, I’m having coffee while watching a neighboring camping getting ready to leave. Hooked up his 5th to pickup, and finally began to pull out. He makes his turn out of his camp spot on to the road which has a slight incline and suddenly CRUNCH. That 5th wheel travel trailer just slide off the bed and landed on the tail gate. I felt so bad, another neighbor helped him get it back in place, bet he won’t make that mistake again. Not sure how it dropped off, I’m really not familiar with 5th wheels. I would guess he didn’t lock it in?

[JohnD10]

Originally Posted by K2Kevin

Its early morning at Devils Lake State park, I’m having coffee while watching a neighboring camping getting ready to leave. Hooked up his 5th to pickup, and finally began to pull out. He makes his turn out of his camp spot on to the road which has a slight incline and suddenly CRUNCH. That 5th wheel travel trailer just slide off the bed and landed on the tail gate. I felt so bad, another neighbor helped him get it back in place, bet he won’t make that mistake again. Not sure how it dropped off, I’m really not familiar with 5th wheels. I would guess he didn’t lock it in?

He forgot to do the pull test...

Bet he won't forget to do that next time.

[NMWildcat]

Fifth wheels are self closing. The manual lock is just a safety precaution. He either didn't back all the way into the hitch (didn't get he click), or high hitched it (on top of the jaws). Either way, a visual inspection of the jaws would of caught it.

I'm not a big fan of pull tests. Visual inspection has worked for me for 40 years.

[BandJCarm]

I'm a big fan of visual and manual tests, of every kind. My mind is going, so I have to work hard to ENSURE I've hooked up right. When you get 100% totally anal about ensuring it's hooked up right, with every method you can dream up, and have DW check it, THEN you can pull away.

[JohnD10]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

Fifth wheels are self closing. The manual lock is just a safety precaution. He either didn't back all the way into the hitch (didn't get he click), or high hitched it (on top of the jaws). Either way, a visual inspection of the jaws would of caught it.

I'm not a big fan of pull tests. Visual inspection has worked for me for 40 years.

My Reese 15K Pro Slider self closed flawlessly when it was brand new...3 1/2 years ago.

Today...not so much, no matter how much I lube it.

So, the visual test after I manually lock and check it with a flashlight (kinda dark under there)...then the pull test BEFORE I remove the X-Chocks...

Then I know I'm ready to roll!

Better to be safe than sorry...

[Casey r]

Originally Posted by BandJCarm

I'm a big fan of visual and manual tests, of every kind. My mind is going, so I have to work hard to ENSURE I've hooked up right. When you get 100% totally anal about ensuring it's hooked up right, with every method you can dream up, and have DW check it, THEN you can pull away.

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