arizonakid
Stow Mass. USA
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Joined: 09/04/2004
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I can't raise the pin box even 1/4" off the hitch plate since the bottom shoulder of the pin butts up to the underside of the hitch jaws...
But I see a lot of you don't raise the pin box above the hitch plate when hooking or unhooking -- I hadn't thought of that method, sounds like it works well.
Thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions.
Tom
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Puddles
Lafayette, Indiana
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Joined: 03/17/2003
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Run the landing gear down until most of the weight is off the truck... pull the lever to unlock the Jaws... if it's in a bind, move the truck back just a little... pull the lever and release the jaws... now raise the pin/trailer until it clears the hitch and pull the truck forward.. 
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wandering1
Texas
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Joined: 06/18/2002
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hallock5 wrote:I extend the legs to where I see 1/4" clearance or so between hitch and pin box, although I guess technically if you can release the bar, you should be good to go. For some reason, it just seems less stressful on the hitching system if I have that clearance.
X2
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jody h
Pride La.
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Joined: 07/02/2006
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jalichty wrote:I have used a lube plate for about 19 years and have never noticed that the plate makes it difficult to un-hitch. When I get out of my truck, I unlock the hitch, flip up the lock and pull the handle to un-lock the hitch. Then I drop the legs to the ground, or close to it and extend them until there is about a 1/2" space between the plate and the pin box and I drive the truck out and proceed to level the FW. Only time I ever have a problem is when I get a little cock-eyed trailer to hitch and then we proceed to plan two or three or whatever.
Man you like flirtin with disater dont you. Never unhook from the trailer till it chocked and the legs are down.
2006 Dodge Ram 1500 Megacab
2004 Flagstaff 8524RK
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jalichty
Lander, Wyoming 82520
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Jody, I've only done this for 19 years. I did forget to say that we chocked the wheels before lowering the legs and pulling the lever, but in 19 years, I've not had a disaster. So, I guess it will come, I just hope that I can recover afterwards and write on here that something bad happened.
John A. Lichty
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wandering1
Texas
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jalichty wrote:I have used a lube plate for about 19 years and have never noticed that the plate makes it difficult to un-hitch. When I get out of my truck, I unlock the hitch, flip up the lock and pull the handle to un-lock the hitch. Then I drop the legs to the ground, or close to it and extend them until there is about a 1/2" space between the plate and the pin box and I drive the truck out and proceed to level the FW. Only time I ever have a problem is when I get a little cock-eyed trailer to hitch and then we proceed to plan two or three or whatever.
X2
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bpounds
Whittier CA
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I like to lift most of the weight off the plate before pulling out. I think it is easier on all the equipment. I sometimes even lift until I see movement between the plate and pinbox, but certainly not 1/4". It sometimes makes unlatching easier, but I've often found that I still need to move the truck backward a little. Especially if I'm parked on a site with an incline toward the front. In park with P-brake on, the truck still wants to roll forward slightly, and that is enough to lock the hitch jaws and make them fight with me to release. Reese hitch jaws are exactly like a Chinese finger torture device.
2006 F250 Diesel
2011 Keystone Cougar 278RKSWE Fiver
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wacochran
Jacksonville, Florida
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Joined: 04/24/2005
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They do infact make different thickness lube plates. You should be able to get through any RV supply house. Or if you have alot of time on your hands you can sand them down.
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Mr. Black
South Hill, Washington
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I think our lubeplate is approx 3/16" to maybe 1/4 inch thick.
Clamshell style hitches (B&W) I prefer to drive out from under the trailer, not lift the trailer off the hitch.
As others have stated. I put the landing gear down and just take a half inch to an inch off the truck and release the lock and drive out.
Same goes for hitching up. I always drive into the pinbox and not under it. You should be just slightly lifting the trailer with the truck. If you are not, your trailer is too high.
Steve
2006 Ford F350 6.0 PSD CC 4x4 LB, Bone Stock. B&W Turnover / Companion. Airlift Airbags 57291. Leveling Kit. RS9000 Shocks.
2012 Heartland Sundance 3100RB 5th wheel. 36' @ 11k pounds.
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dannytas
Pioneer, CA
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Mr. Black wrote:I think our lubeplate is approx 3/16" to maybe 1/4 inch thick.
Clamshell style hitches (B&W) I prefer to drive out from under the trailer, not lift the trailer off the hitch.
As others have stated. I put the landing gear down and just take a half inch to an inch off the truck and release the lock and drive out.
Same goes for hitching up. I always drive into the pinbox and not under it. You should be just slightly lifting the trailer with the truck. If you are not, your trailer is too high.
This is the same way I was taught and it's always work well!! But, I have noticed that different hitches have different thicknesses (is that a word?) of latches. Be it a "bar", "clam" or "J" style.
1994 Coleman Destiny Cedar XL
1989 Fleetwood Terry Lite
DW-Lynn
BigDog-Kelley
LittleDog-Kroozer
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