SilverRhino
Well-known member
Back in December I joined the "club" of those that have "modified" their tow vehicles by having their 5th wheel come unhitched!
Backed into the pin box.....arm on Drawtite 16k hitch came out and back in......felt a nice thump letting me know that the kingpin was firmly in the fifth wheel. Raised the front jacks about an inch off the blocks and tried to pull forward with the trailer brakes locked and the Roto Choks still between the tires.....everything still fine.
Pulled out of our site making a 90 degree turn and as soon as I straightened up.....the trailer slid out of the hitch and landed on the bed rails. Although the kingpin had been securely captured in the jaws.....I forgot to lower the small latch that keeps the latching arm from moving, and the jaws opened up and the trailer came unhitched!
Took the truck into a local body shop and they said no problem...we will get you a tailgate and a take-off box and get it all fixed up. After a month of looking for a suitable box to replace mine they came up empty handed. The only option they came up with was to order the panels from Dodge and "build" a new box! I was very worried about that option so I decided to cash settle with the insurance company and am now waiting for my new hauler bed that is being fabricated.
I have many thousands of miles under my backside towing about everything you can think of...........but I screwed up!! I have since painted the area behind the latch on my hitch a very bright color so that it will help remind me to drop the latch and put the padlock through it. I also have a photo of the damaged truck on my GPS to jog my memory. Moral of the story.....check....double check.....and don't ever say "never"!!
Backed into the pin box.....arm on Drawtite 16k hitch came out and back in......felt a nice thump letting me know that the kingpin was firmly in the fifth wheel. Raised the front jacks about an inch off the blocks and tried to pull forward with the trailer brakes locked and the Roto Choks still between the tires.....everything still fine.
Pulled out of our site making a 90 degree turn and as soon as I straightened up.....the trailer slid out of the hitch and landed on the bed rails. Although the kingpin had been securely captured in the jaws.....I forgot to lower the small latch that keeps the latching arm from moving, and the jaws opened up and the trailer came unhitched!
Took the truck into a local body shop and they said no problem...we will get you a tailgate and a take-off box and get it all fixed up. After a month of looking for a suitable box to replace mine they came up empty handed. The only option they came up with was to order the panels from Dodge and "build" a new box! I was very worried about that option so I decided to cash settle with the insurance company and am now waiting for my new hauler bed that is being fabricated.
I have many thousands of miles under my backside towing about everything you can think of...........but I screwed up!! I have since painted the area behind the latch on my hitch a very bright color so that it will help remind me to drop the latch and put the padlock through it. I also have a photo of the damaged truck on my GPS to jog my memory. Moral of the story.....check....double check.....and don't ever say "never"!!
