I have on and it has paid for itself already. When I hook up sometimes I have to raise the front of the 5th wheel up higher then lower it back down. I would definitely buy one.
Hardtack wrote: In the 'perfect' world.....not needed!!!!
Check & recheck hook-up....maybe when you are actually getting ready to hit the road......but do you check & recheck hook-up when you have stopped somewhere during your travel (lunch at that little cafe, side trip to that little interesting spot along the way) and some jerk has disengaged your hitch, just for fun??????
I have a lock on my lever, and it takes 2 seconds to glance at the hitch before I get in to go.
Thats what I do, and on my landscape trailers, I also check.
If you are asking about a bedsaver you realize you are not perfect so for piece of mind get the bedsaver, you won't regret it. I don't and yes it saved my boxsides. Last winter on ice I started to hook up camper for snowbirding in florida. The ground was solid ice and I just tapped trailer with side of kingpin opening, trailer slid back as kingpin catch did it's job. Without it camper would of slid over a 2ft. bank and stayed there untill spring.
Just this week a 5er leaving the campground where we were came off the hitch. He had traveled about 100 yards from his campsite before it came off. So not only did it tear up his truck rails and tail-gate, but damaged the trailer when the front end his the road. Additionally it appeared to have tore up his hitch inner workings. He swore he had checked his hook up before pulling out. He must of had some kind of hook-up since he traveled as far as he did before it came off.
I have a bed-saver and my first thoughts when I saw his damage was, boy am I glad I have a bed saver. They do not cost that much and they can save a couple thousand. Not to mention truck being in the shop during repairs, etc.
Full Timer, USN Retired, 1999 Ford 7.3L Diesel DRW, Open Road 396
Installed a Blue Ox when I had the hitch installed. Cost about $225. Paid for itself the first day we had our fiver. Unhooked, but had not raised the trailer high enough to completely take the weight off the truck. Pulled away and the truck jumped up considerable. Caught on the bed saver and missed my rails by 1/4". Cheapest insurance you'll ever buy.
Chuck USN Ret, Navy Flight Test Engr
Kay, The Bride (43 yrs) Ret Nurse, High School Media Specialist
Christopher, Our Velcro Child
08 F350 Lariat 4X4, 6.4, 5spd auto, DRW 4.30 rear, Tow Boss, CC, LB, Linux
08 Jayco Eagle 341 RLQS, Moryde pin box, shocks
Like ChucknKay pointed out it is not just for hook up. I unhooked and was pulling forward when my landing gear sank into a gopher hole. Have You Ever?? 1)Forgot to chock your wheels when unhitching; 2) Pull that handle and have the 5er roll to the rear? 3) ???. It is like a parking brake on a manual transmission, almost never needed but good to have.
Chevy 2500 Duramax, 30ft Prowler, 18ft Bass Boat, 2 big dogs,
Boondocking at Rio Costilla, NM
Bed saver saved our 5er and truck bed! My DH told me he didn't need one! We were hooking up in AZ at the end of winter, friends were talking to him, when he did the pull test....BANG! It hit the bed saver! Sure am glad we had it!
Had to have our bed saver worked on to fit our 22 K hitch. They don't make a bed saver for a 22 K. Took it to a metal fabricator and he made it fit this 22 K hitch. Works great! DH didn't want to do this... cost $150 to have it made to fit this hitch but well worth it! DH said he is glad I made him do it! Saved our $13,000 truck bed!
2008 dodge 5500, diesel,Laramie, pressure pro. RBW hitch 22K.
2008 Carriage Carri-Lite, 36SBQ, 4 slides,dishwasher,washer/dryer,2 fireplaces
D & D
Two Schnauzers, & cat
As I always say...if it brings you peace of mind and makes you happy, get one. Me...I don`t see the need for it. Perhaps someday I will think differently. I have been hooking and unhooking 5th wheel and gooseneck trailers for 40 years the old fashioned way and have not ever had a mishap. I perform my routine and if I am intereupted by someone, I re-do my routine. Perhaps my days are numbered!!
2008 Duramax/Allison LT2 Crew cab Standard Box. Hellwig Air Assist.
1996 Terry 27 5J
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