How I My Trailer Came Un-hitched

[pops91710]

As I posted in the intro forum, I dropped my trailer on our fourth outing in the mountains of the San Bernardino Nat'l Forest.

At first, I thought I had failed to make a good hook-up, and thought so for several weeks after. But when the time came for me to install the Blue Ox Bedsaver, I came to understand better the machinations of the Pull-Rite Super 5th hitch.

As I said, it came time to install the bedsaver I noticed the dealer who had installed my hitch the day we purchased the trailer (our very first 5th) had installed the rocker cross bar upside down. When I removed the hitch to correct their stupid error, I saw what made the hitch release and drop my trailer in the bed.

The Pull-Rite hitch has no 'positive' locking block or anything like that to keep the jaw from spinning open. What it does have is a release handle with a wedge of steel that drops down behind the hole in the side plate of the hitch. This wedge that is welded to the release handle jams against the side plate keeping the jaw securely closed.

However, when the handle is raised the wedge clears the bottom of the hole, and the handle can be pulled out to release the king pin.

Here is what I did wrong. As I had done on all previous outings, I looped the break-away brake switch lanyard over the release handle as the dealer had showed me. That was the fatal eror that would soon find its way into my pride.

As I exited the campground, I was required to make a hard right turn onto the highway to avoid entering the on-coming traffic lane. The campground exit and the highway are on to different planes.

Never having made such a manouvre before, I didn't realize the lanyard would stretched to its maximum length. When it did so, it pulled up on the release handle allowing the wedge to clear the bottom of the hole it passes thru and gave the jaw the opportunity to twist, and force the handle towards the unlock position.

The result was an immediate accidental release. I knew instantly what had happened. (NO DUH!)

I learned later that a simply blockage in that handle hole (such as a padlock) would keep the handle down so it could not unlock.

It's really tough to learn from your mistakes like this! Those of you with Pull-Rites take note! BTW, I love this hitch!

View the photos of all this here:http://rides.webshots.com/album/550354830pKaqrE

[Future Fulltimers]

Mike, sorry to hear about your mishap but thanks for the information and warning.
We have a different hitch setup but with the same type handle. Our dealer also told us to just loop the emergency brake-away cord over the handle. I didn't like the looks of it so I closed it in a padlock, used to keep the hasp you mentioned, closed.

[CritterRenter]

I have the PullRite SuperGlide, which has the same latching. I have never routed the break away cable around the handle, just made sure there was nothing in the back for it to get tangled in. But I did have the 5ver get loose and took out my tailgate. I like the padlock idea.

[bop11]

Pops,
Thanks for the info. My dealer also told me to put the laynard around the handle...never again!! I'll find a different spot to hook it.
I'm assuming that you are putting the lock thru the same hole the handle goes thru so it won't jump up and allow the "wedge" to slide out. Correct?
Bill

[Shields]

My Reese Hitch has a throwdown latch to hold the hitch locked which you can pin or padlock. BUt I can see the turning angle could pull the cable tight and pull the pin or, as it did once, get trapped under the lube plate. I think you have all talked me into putting a small dog chain latch on the hitch to hold it in the centerline.

[Mike Clay]

I have a Reese also, one thing I do is put a pad lock on it. I have seen some mean truckers over the years pull the lever while you are a way from the trailer at a rest stop and watch you turn the bed of your truck into a V

[roger5438]

Tks for the info. I have the same hitch. I did however add the "Bed saver" when I installed the Pull -Rite. I'am still wondering how a Right hand turn would pull the release. I have to make sure there is no pull on the hitch to release mine when parking. Will look for a new place to connect my Brake release cable for sure . roger

[pops91710]

Pops,
Thanks for the info. My dealer also told me to put the laynard around the handle...never again!! I'll find a different spot to hook it.
I'm assuming that you are putting the lock thru the same hole the handle goes thru so it won't jump up and allow the "wedge" to slide out. Correct?
Bill

Yes, Bill, That's how I do it now. Wish I had not had to learn that the hard way!

[pops91710]

I have a Reese also, one thing I do is put a pad lock on it. I have seen some mean truckers over the years pull the lever while you are a way from the trailer at a rest stop and watch you turn the bed of your truck into a V

Mike, I have heard of that very same thing. What's up with that?

[pops91710]

Tks for the info. I have the same hitch. I did however add the "Bed saver" when I installed the Pull -Rite. I'am still wondering how a Right hand turn would pull the release. I have to make sure there is no pull on the hitch to release mine when parking. Will look for a new place to connect my Brake release cable for sure . roger

It's possible I caught the edge of something or the edge or corner of the hitch mounts. Or, I just was so tightly turned I ran out of lanyard. I will attemp (at a later time) to re-enact the accident with the excepetion of having the padlock in place to see if my lanyard shortened out. I have snagged it on stuff in the bed, so now I am careful what I put back there.

[lynlou14760]

I know this is a late posting, but as a new member I've just been setting here reading all of the old posts. The very day we brought our 5er home was the same day we ran out of lanyard at an intersection here in town.

Naturally, it's one of the busiest intersections in town, and this happened at 3:30 in the afternoon - perfect timing!! Anyway, I made the 90 degree turn and BAM, I though I hit the pole supporting the traffic signal. A quick check of the mirrors showed me I'd cleared it. Then I though someone ran the light and hit me on the blind side of the trailer.

I hopped out and went back, already devising the most painful and brutal ways to kill someone. I quickly determined that everyone would go home to their loved ones, since no one even came close to hitting me. Well, there I stood, totally befuddled and confused, until a very nice older gentleman hopped out of his truck and asked what the problem was.

I told the guy what happened, and that I had no idea what happened. "I know exactly what happened", he exclaimed, and ran back to his truck.
He returned just as quickly with a small pair of bolt cutters, reached over the side of by truck bed, and cut the lanyard. Just as quickly he picked up the severed end, plugged it into the brake release, handed me the bolt cutters, jumped back in his truck and was gone.

This entire incident took less than five minutes, and I was so happy that everything was okay that I could have cried. (Well, my wife might have cried, but I'm far too manley; I simply coughed a couple of times and continued home )

I've haven't yet had the opportunity to return the favor, but those bolt cutters are under the front seat of my truck just waiting for the day I can be "...nice older gentleman!"

[Luizianna]

Awww...that is so sweet!! Even tho I have no idea what you just said...lol I bet DH would tho...lol

We have such a great group here...I can't wait to meet every one!!

[Olbird]

Hello Mike,

I have the same hitch handle and drilled a hole in the handle above the wedge and insert the padlock in the new hole. This prevents anyone from pulling the lever and if the handle jumps up the lock will not pass though the handle to release king pin plate.

Also my slider hitch has a spring that i make sure is tight holding the handle in the close / locked position, when the spring is adjusted tight the handle will slam closed in the locked postion when hooking up. does your hitch have this spring keeping the bar handle in the closed position.

I am going to modify a bed saver catch bar or design and build my own to prevent the 5er from droping on truck bed, I have the Pull-Rite Slider hitch. I do not think you guys with the bed saver have the slider hitch for short bed trucks.

George:

[Don Wilson]

I have the Husky hitch which when hitched wraps around the king pin and the hasp and pin hold it in place. I used to put the lanyard under the hasp and then installed the pin. When I got to thinking about it I figured if it ever came unhitched the emergency braking system would be of no use.

I have installed a eye bolt on the rear of my hitch frame and connect the lanyard with a clip. It is mounted to give the most travel regardless of the turn.

Every 6 months I pull the emergency lanyard with the trailer hooked to the pickup to make sure the brakes work when it is removed. The last thing I want is for the trailer to be traveling down the road at 55mph if it ever comes disconnected from the hitch.