These Reese hitches work just like the fifth wheel on my Freightliner. Set the brakes, bump the clutch in reverse, and set the brakes. Any pressure on the jaws and that dang thing will not release, no matter how hard you pull. PP
The absolute last thing you want to do is pull hard until it releases. That's not the way it's desinged to work and it will break sooner or later. Like everyone else has mentioned, if the jaws won't release it's from tension on the jaws. Get in the truck, after securing the trailer wheels, and put the truck in reverse, you don't even have to push the gas. Just let it roll back. Then get out and try it again. It should open and close easily. The problem could also be that you raised the trailer too high or not high enough. Hopefully you have the side-to-side pivot hitch. Makes it alot easier.....
I've never had that trouble with mine. When I unhitch I chock the wheels and raise the trailer up enough so I can see just a bit of space between the hitch and plate. Once the camper is blocked and lifted I put the truck in neutral to let it release any pressure before pulling the handle to release.
It's not specifically a Reese issue...happens to many types of hitch. However. the solultions is usually simple:
--Block trailer wheels
--Put truck in neutral (let it float the pin)then into park
--Pull release handle (if still stuck move truck fore or aft slightly)
--now and only now lower jacks to take weight
--Proceed with unhitch
Usually the pin is in a front to rear bind, or the trailer jacks are lifting the pin up into the hitch. Works everytime....Brian
My first time I had a heck of a time getting mine to release, not to mention the audience. I broke the cauter pin and of course the handle came off. I then found why I should put the tool box in a readily available place, especially when blocking the road. Found the toolbox, put a new pin in. At least one person in the audience felt bad, he walked over, explained why it wasn't releasing. I was then able to get it unhitched.
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