Truck lurches forward an inch or two when disconnecting

[parver]

I have a B&W Companion hitch which has been great for several years. Recently when I disconnect, it's a harder disconnect and after opening the jaws, the kingpin is an inch or two behind already and the truck "lurches".

Anyone know what this is caused by? Perhaps when I put the truck in park, the slop in transmission (for lack of better term) doesn't get released until I disconnect? It's almost like I would be better off disconnecting with the truck in neutral. Is that a thing? Obviously there safety issues with that... but does anyone do that? Using wheel chocks and stuff?

Thanks

 

[bikendan]

I have a B&W Companion hitch which has been great for several years. Recently when I disconnect, it's a harder disconnect and after opening the jaws, the kingpin is an inch or two behind already and the truck "lurches".

Anyone know what this is caused by? Perhaps when I put the truck in park, the slop in transmission (for lack of better term) doesn't get released until I disconnect? It's almost like I would be better off disconnecting with the truck in neutral. Is that a thing? Obviously there safety issues with that... but does anyone do that? Using wheel chocks and stuff?

Thanks

Moved thread from the General TT and 5th Wheel Discussion section to the Towing, Tow Vehicles and Hitches sub-forum since the OP's questions are specific to Tow Vehicles and Hitches and not general questions.

 

[Capacitor]

With truck in neutral, try setting parking brake, release peddle then go to park.

 

[Oaklevel]

I guess I am not sure what is happening to you or how.

But I have a different hitch so maybe it works differently.

I always chock the trailer wheels and have to have the truck backed be against the pin for the jaws to even open. Nothing can move until then and nothing does.

.

 

[Mike134]

set the parking brake before removing your foot from the brake and that will cure the "creep"/lurch" you get

 

[kenandterry]

Posts #3 and #5 nailed it. Set your parking brake first……then put your transmission in Park……no slack that way.

 

[reidfo]

set the parking brake before removing your foot from the brake and that will cure the "creep"/lurch" you get

Thank you for this tip. I must have had to adjust 5 or 6 times last time hitching back up then the truck would roll an inch or two when putting it in park, so alignment with the TT was lost. I'll try this next time!

 

[parver]

set the parking brake before removing your foot from the brake and that will cure the "creep"/lurch" you get

Thanks. Probably should have figured that one out on my own Been hauling my 5th wheel for about 5 years and should have figured this out a while ago. I think that "slop" in my truck has gotten worse over the years tho... can't remember it being an issue early on.

 

[Electra glide]

I have this same issue and I use the Andersen fifth wheel hitch. I found I had to set the parking brake before I raise camper off the hitch. If I don't the truck will "jump". It doesn't happen all the time but I don't like it happening at all.

 

[jeepin1]

After I stop I put it in neutral let things settle, set parking brake, go release 5th wheel hitch, no problems yet.

 

[parver]

Revisiting this after a couple years. Been using this technique but my parking brake doesn't seem to want to work anymore on my truck. Wondering if this wears it down?

To reiterate, this technique is:
1) Stop
2) Neutral
3) Parking brake engage
4) Vehicle in park

So in this config, the parking brake is basically holding the transmission "slop" in place while you disconnect? Wondering if this wears the parking brake out quickly? Like I said mine doesn't seem to want to hold anymore, going to get it fixed but the last couple of times I have used chocks.

 

[Boomerweps]

In PA, emergency brakes are checked for state inspection.
Using your emergency brake while connecting your RV stops any slop in the transmission or any U joint or rear axle. A lot of stuff combines to piss us off while hitching.
In my past, most emergency brake problems were from rust or starting to drive with it still engaged too many times.

Is this a 5th wheel?
On a TT when the coupler just won’t release, I pull the hitch pin and drive out from the ball mount (after removing the safety chains and 7 pin first).

 

[NMWildcat]

Revisiting this after a couple years. Been using this technique but my parking brake doesn't seem to want to work anymore on my truck. Wondering if this wears it down?

To reiterate, this technique is:
1) Stop
2) Neutral
3) Parking brake engage
4) Vehicle in park

So in this config, the parking brake is basically holding the transmission "slop" in place while you disconnect? Wondering if this wears the parking brake out quickly? Like I said mine doesn't seem to want to hold anymore, going to get it fixed but the last couple of times I have used chocks.

Wow. If your parking brake doesn't work, get it fixed!! Don't put it off. A vehicle without a good parking brake is a danger.

Sometimes it is as easy as adjusting the cable (if equipped), sometimes it means your brakes are shot.

 

[parver]

In PA, emergency brakes are checked for state inspection.
Using your emergency brake while connecting your RV stops any slop in the transmission or any U joint or rear axle. A lot of stuff combines to piss us off while hitching.
In my past, most emergency brake problems were from rust or starting to drive with it still engaged too many times.

Is this a 5th wheel?
On a TT when the coupler just won’t release, I pull the hitch pin and drive out from the ball mount (after removing the safety chains and 7 pin first).

Yes, 5th wheel

 

[llr2800]

Same happens to me. I always set the parking brakes and choke the trailer before disconnecting, haven't tried neutral 1st. Not every time but most, doesn't seem to be an issue and the flatter the site the less it moves.

 

[parver]

This is one thing I wish I figured out from day 1! Works great

 

[reidfo]

I am still working out my unhitching procedure, because it obviously was not correct. On my last trip I put the truck in neutral and let it settle a bit before engaging the parking brake. That worked out well with only a minor shift when raising the TT.

I had a couple of scary disconnects prior. I'm still learning. I'll admit my failures here. At one pull through spot I just pulled in, set the brake, and proceeded to unhook. The trailer jack lifted the truck several inches and then dropped with a bang when it popped off the ball. It fell off the blocks I had under the jack. Bad juju, but nothing damaged.

Second time I was more careful, but obviously not careful enough. Similar thing where the trailer didn't want to release from the ball. Lifted the back of the truck some and went down with a big bang. Fortunately again, no damage done except to my pride. I heard a few loud shouts of "WHOAH!!" from across the campground.

I'm still searching for the foolproof method of unhitching my TT.