On our Reese, from time to time when unhitching the locking bar hangs up & requires 2 of us to pull it out...DW "rocking" the truck in forward/reverse & me trying to pull it out. Level or not...angled or not...There doesn't seem to be a pattern. And yes, the safety catch is up!
I've looked at it from all angles & can't find anything amiss.
Anybody had such a problem or got any suggestions?
Yep, same thing happened to me the first time I tried to unhitch the Reese,
16K Slider. Found out, that after jacks are extended, just put truck in reverse, let foot off brake and that released just enough tension to pull handle. Maybe a little white grease would help, also, or whatever you use for lubricant. Never had a problem after that first time. After the first hour of trying to pull handle, thought I might have to tow that fifth-wheel everywhere.
I had the same problem the first few times I used my 16K. Sometimes it would open with almost no effort, other times it wouldn't. I called Reese and was told that the jaws are designed to stay shut if there is any forward pressure on them. I was told to chock the 5er tires, put the truck in reverse, lightly touch the gas, and then put on the brake. This takes the forward pressure off and allows the jaws to open easily every time. I've never had another problem since that conversation. BTW, Reese also said that taking weight off the hitch by lowering the landing gear has nothing to do with opening the jaws--it’s all about relieving the forward pressure.
You don't mention whether it is a rocker or not. If not any twisting between the truck and the trailer can make it difficult to release. Otherwise, I find placing the truck in neutral and letting off the brake usually releases any fore/aft strain. Just remember to put it in park after.
LadyRVer wrote: .... Found out, that after jacks are extended, just put truck in reverse, let foot off brake and that released just enough tension to pull handle. Maybe a little white grease would help, also, or whatever you use for lubricant. Never had a problem after that first time.
Exactly ... I've never had a problem either, you need to take the pressure off the jaws.
Eric
2004 Wildcat 27RL, Honda EU-2000i.
2003 Dodge Ram 2500 Hemi, 3.73, Reese 16K, Prodigy,long box, Line-X,
Good Sam's - FQCC/Camping Quebec My Photos
We have this problem everytime, we have to back up slightly to relieve pressure. We have owned this hitch for 7 years. The other day we took our camper to the dealer for work, and as I was trying to pull the handle, it snapped in two. Thank goodness we were at the dealer, they gave us a new handle.
I just has that problem, last weekend. I finally pulled the lever hard enough for it to release. Once I did that, the truck rolled back a couple of inches. From that I figured that I had the too much pressure against the jaws. From now on, Once I have the chocks in place, I will bad up a bit and unhook.
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