ALWAYS latch your 5th wheel handle

[jesilvas]

Idk how often you do it, but after this, you better do it all the time.
Guy came in yesterday talking about how when he hooks up his trailer, he will only sometimes flip the little latch to lock his handle on his hitch from opening up and releasing the jaws. Well, he didn't do it yesterday, drove around, and it was all fine. Then he took off from a stop, and dropped a 12k lb, 36' Mobile Suites off the back off his flat bed
I'll get pics of the damage, but if you don't latch it, you better now.

Bent both landing gear.

One almost completely came loose from the frame.

Damaged the metal and wood around the one that almost fell out.

Had a trailer behind him that swung around and hit the bumper which is all one piece with the end cap.

Broke the body loose from the frame in front.

[Ryan Rønning]

I dont understand some people

[theplumbingmedic]

Why on earth wouldn`t he do it? Forgetful? Lazy? He could have really hurt someone

[letitsno]

This happens more then you know.
Heard a story of someone buying a new 5th wheel, but never pulled one, left the dealer ship cut corner too close & ripped the whole side of trailer up. Pulled bumper loose & was dragging it behind trailer as saleman was running after him to stop. No I don't have pic's.

To may people don't know to set a trailer for towing or how to secure a load, they put us all in danger.

[Evil Eye]

Even if I'm only moving it a few feet, I still latch it up like I'm going across country. You don't play around with this kind of stuff. Just because you can, doesn't mean that you should. Sounds like his karma train finally caught up to him.

[SuperCrutyPS]

When we got our 5er, we had talked a friend about going from a bumper pull trailer to the 5th wheel. He really made sure I understood this point. I always make sure it is latched. I'll lift the landing gear about a inch and do a test pull to make sure.

I've seen people driving around with their bed rails divoted by their 5er coming out of the hitch and onto the rails. It serves a reminder.

[MDarrough]

Originally Posted by theplumbingmedic

Why on earth wouldn`t he do it? Forgetful? Lazy? He could have really hurt someone

I have a friend that is on his third bed, and forth tailgate!!

Some are just more hard-headed than others!!

I hope I didn't just jinx myself!!


Mark

[Coach73]

When I used to work for a trailer dealership, one of the salesmen brought in a customer's 4 horse with 12' living quarters for service. He forgot to unlock the g/n plate so it was sitting on top of the ball!! Luckily that thing was so front end heavy he made it in. Coach

[bucwheat]

Talking about swinging out for turns,hell I do it even when I am not pulling my 36' Camper,just habit.

[IOWASTROKER46]

This will sound anal, but I take my LED flashlight and check to see that the jaws are, indeed, where they belong.