gouldc
Edmonton, Alberta Canada
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Joined: 10/13/2004
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I have heard, and had it work for myself on occasion, that once the jaw closes, putting the truck into forward and lightly tugging on the pin will further close the jaws. Isn't all of this pushing and pulling pretty tough on the landing gears?
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RoadWarriorz
Anaheim Hills
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gouldc wrote:Could be the wrong area to post but here goes.
I'm using a Reese Signature 18k. I'm having a heck of a time hooking up. Everything seems to go well, jaw closes and the handle retracts except not completely. The metal "flag" does not move completely and I'm unable to insert the safety pin. I then have to unhook, pull ahead and try the whole thing over again.
I'm wondering if I'm missing something simple here or do I have a problem with the hitch? Seems to me it's acted like this from day one. I've tried coming in with the nose of the trailer a little higher and a little lower, no difference. It's extremely frustrating!
I had the Reese Signature Series (18k) hitch and after a few hook-ups it seemed to get better. Like others in this post, I would just roll back until I am about a foot away from the hitch and then lower the trailer slightly lower than the hitch. I would just drive back and everything would work just find.
Now I went to a short bed truck with a PullRite Hitch and I am have similar problems. I am hoping with a few more hook-ups everything will work smoother. I feel the frustration!
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Taboky
Nashua, NH
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I have same hitch. I found that I just had to push the handle in a bit and it snaps into place and flag moves out of the way.
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bjbear
Cold Lake, AB, Can
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Don't have a Reese, but did have a similar problem with my Hensley T3. It was a small burr that had formed on the kingpin. Wasn't very large, but just enough to keep the jaws from closing completely. I ground off the burr with a dremel tool and have not had any problem since.
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HUTCH45
NORCAL
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gouldc wrote:"....Isn't all of this pushing and pulling pretty tough on the landing gears....?
Having your trailer wheels firmly chocked really helps out on landing gear strain when hooking/unhooking.
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gouldc
Edmonton, Alberta Canada
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Thanks for all the input guys, really appreciated.
I guess I'll have to be patient and focus on finding that key height and take a close look at the pin itself. If all it takes is a little build up it could be easily missed. I think I'll replace my lube plate as well just to rule it out. Nothing more frustrating than playing theses games while hooking up in the pouring rain.
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Oldbrat1960
Sacramento, CA
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Yup, I managed to bend the flag tab on an angled hookup. I didn't know it till the next hookup. I had to remove the head and check from the underside to clearly see the damage. I haven't had any trouble since I bent the flag lever back. I agree with the "hitch low" posters. Get the truck to squat when connecting for best alignment.
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ncmech
Wake Forest, NC, USA
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Joined: 07/25/2003
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Mine does the same. I hitch up with the trailer ~.5-1" lower than the hitch plate for some down pressure. Stop when the hitch firmly engages the kingpin. Push the handle in as far as it will go, and the flag sometimes is about 1/2 flag thickness from engaging. Lift the landing gear until the pads just float over the ground, then put truck in neutral, let it settle, set the brake and put back in park. Handle usually frees up a bit and flag drops no problem. Then fully retract the landing gear and stow the wheel chocks.
I use a lube plate also- doesnt really affect it, so save your $10 for beer....
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gouldc
Edmonton, Alberta Canada
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When you say 1" lower than the hitch plate, what part of the pin are you referring to, the bottom?
I like your thinking, you can't drink a lube plate!
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Bellclan5
Camarillo, CA
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As said before you need to leave the trailer hitch lower than your truck, then once it is locked in, put in forward and pull forward (don't accelerate, let idle forward) in just about every owners manual it tells you to do this, next as said before put the truck in neutral and let it settle, you shouldn't have any problems from there.
If you are still having a problem I would take it to a reputable hitch dealer and let them take a look at it, you have something wrong with either you hitch or the king-pin.
Good luck
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