hlenoble
Binghamton, NY
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Joined: 07/25/2002
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I had the hitch installed in the F-150 today and picked up my new-to-me 1987 Shasta 190-MB. I hooked it up and was surprised how little clearance there was between the truck and the trailer. I hooked it up, slid the hitch back into the maneuver position, locked it and pulled it out. I went about 100 yards and slowed, and of course the slider slid forward with a thud. Apparently I hadn't locked the slider properly. I had a lot of trouble locking the lever in the position facing rear, which per the decal was the locked position for towing. I was eventually able to lock it in the front facing position and towed the 3 miles home. I need to play with the hitch a few times to figure this out, but I am sure it will become second nature.
On another note, my '99 F-150 seemed fine with the 4,000 lb trailer, even on the steep mile-long hill up to the house. This weekend will be spent cleaning and winterizing, and then putting it away until the spring.
- Hal
1987 Shasta 190-MB Fiver (now)
2 PUPs, 3 TT's, 1 HTT, and 2 class Cs in the past
DW, 5 Boys (3 in college, 1 in the US Army, 1 in the US Navy)
Dory, Deuce (Cocker Spaniels) & Bruiser (Boxer)
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rlreed
Ohio
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Joined: 11/29/2007
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Check your pins holding the hitch to the rails. I had trouble locking mine and found that the pins were not allowing the slide to slide far enough to lock. I changed the pins and it cured the problem...
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Golden_HVAC
Fulltime, CA, USA
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Joined: 08/19/2003
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Hi,
Did you know that the trailer pin is supposed to be forward of the rear axle 1" or 2" while towing, and you should only put the hitch in the rearward position while maneuvering in a parking area.
Where you trying to tow with the trailer in the rear position? Or the forward position? From your explanation, it sounds like you tried to tow with it in the rearward position, then it slid into the forward position on it's own. It should not be doing that either.
Check with the people that sold you the hitch and ask them what's up! They should be able to show you what is going on.
At least the trailer pin did not fall out of the hitch. Yes this can happen. There is even a special hitch saver that is made to catch this mistake! Blueox.com
Good Luck,
Fred.
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hlenoble
Binghamton, NY
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Joined: 07/25/2002
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To clarify, I know that the tow position is the forward position. I was talking about the "lock" lever that locks the slider in position. I thought I had the slider locked in the rear position to get out of the parking space, and pulled onto the road to slide it forward, and it was not locked. I had trouble locking it but finally was able to get it done, but with the lever facing forward rather than towards the rear.
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Mont G&J
Missoula, MT
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Joined: 09/29/2005
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rlreed wrote:Check your pins holding the hitch to the rails. I had trouble locking mine and found that the pins were not allowing the slide to slide far enough to lock. I changed the pins and it cured the problem...
What he says.
The hitch installer installed my pins in the wrong way which kept the slide from locking into position. Jack
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amxpress
Clayton, NC
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Joined: 04/14/2007
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As a rough rule of thumb, you're safe to have about 5-6" between the bed and trailer.
Is the trailer level when hitched?
You might also want to get an owner's manual online for your hitch to see what maintenance is required and operarting procedures.
My Dad always pounded into my head "RTFM!!"
2007 Dodge RAM 2500 Quad Cab w/6.7 Cummins
2008 Palamino Sabre 31RKTS
Reese 15K Pro Series manual slide
Prodigy
Firestone Air Bags
Champion 3500 genny
Travel in peace, left the M-I-L at the zoo with her relatives...
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JIMNLIN
Big Cabin, OK
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Joined: 09/14/2003
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I keep my '97 16k manual slider handle mechanism and the slider portion (rollers/roller pins/tubes sprayed with a silicone lube. Works easily at any angle and doesn't collect dust/etc. Don't baby the handle (or try to break it off) when going from tow to manuever position.
"good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" Will Rogers
'03 2500 QC Dodge/Cummins HO 3.73 6 speed manual Jacobs Westach Linex
'97 Park Avanue 28' 5er with two slides 16" BFG Commercial LTs
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Duck
Miami Lakes, Fl
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Joined: 03/04/2001
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When I first got my slider it was tough to get every thing operating as it should. After using quite a bit of silicone spray on the moving parts the problems went away.
Don
08-FORD F350 PSD
08-Hitchhiker II 34.5 UKSBG
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AGBAT
NM
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Joined: 04/12/2004
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Another vote for check your pins position. There should be a warning picture on the rail that shows the pin inserted with the bent end under the slider and laid flat. The clip end is outside of the rails. If the clip is on the inside the clip will stop the slider before it can get into the lock position.
Chevy 2500 Duramax, 30ft Prowler, 18ft Bass Boat, 2 big dogs,
Boondocking at Rio Costilla, NM
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CactusJohn
Scottsdale, AZ
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Joined: 03/23/2008
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When you are changing from the maneuvering position to the towing position (or vise versa), you should always move the slider handle as far as possible to the right or left (NOT the straight-up position), which will allow the feet to lock into the holes in the slide rails when you pull the truck forward or back as you manually hold the 5er's brakes.
2007 Ameri-Camp (RIP) Summit Ridge SF27RK 5er
2008 F250 Lariat SuperCab, 6.4L PSD
Reese 16K Kwik-Slide with BedSaver
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