MNRon
Tennessee
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I recognize that the internet breeds paranoia. I've read several threads over the years about dropped fifth wheels on pickups, but another current thread got me to wondering. I have a Pullrite Superglide that I'm very happy with. The wrap-around jaws make it difficult to believe that they could release if closed properly, and it's hard to understand how they could be closed improperly.
All of that preamble is setting up the question. Has anyone actually dropped a fifth-wheel using a Pullrite Superglide? Not looking for "saw one dropped once" or "heard of one" etc. Just trying to understand if anyone has live experience with this problem when using a Pullrite.
As always, thanks.
Ron
Ron & Pat
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path1
Varies with weather
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Maybe they didn't live thru it, so can't respond.
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pennysmom09
Delaware
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We almost dropped our 5th wheel using our pull rite the first time. It was purely our inexperience because we had never done it ourselves. The dealer hooked it up and then explained!! Fortunately, We left the front jacks about 2 inches off the ground, and I was watching as DH pulled forward. When I saw the trailer hitch start to slide out, I yelled "stop!", but when he put the truck in park, it slid out far enough to land on the jacks. We were a mess, but no damage and we finally got connected and it never happened again. We learned everything the hard way.
Nancy and Doug
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wilber1
Abbotsford B.C.
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Regardless of hitch type, 99% of the time it is not a mechanical failure when this happens, it is either poor procedure or getting out of sequence due to rushing or being interrupted when hooking up or unhooking.
"Never trust a man who has not a single redeeming vice" WSC
2011 RAM 3500 SRW
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korbe
California
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Generally speaking, I have a hard time thinking any hitch would drop out unless it wasn't properly engaged. And I can't understand the pull test either. When my hitch is connected, I can see that it is and a pull test seems unnecessary. Maybe some hitches you can't tell by looking at it. My hitch is a Reese.
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ScottG
Bothell Wa.
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path1 wrote:Maybe they didn't live thru it, so can't respond.
![[emoticon]](https://forums.goodsamclub.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/biggrin.gif "biggrin")
Scott, Grace and Wesly
2003 Dodge 3500 4x4, 6 speed Cummins.
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Ed9824v
Agua Dulce, Calif. 70 mi N.E. of Los Angeles
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I have the pullrite and do the pull test after hook tires blocked and legs just off the ground and do a visual check of the pin latch before the pull test.
Ed So.Calif
1950 Ford F1 street rod
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MNRon
Tennessee
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korbe I'm with you, I don't understand the value of a pull test IF you visually see the jaws wrapped around the pin AND the wider pin flange below the jaws. I even painted my pin flange to make it easier to see this. I try to follow the proper process/procedure hooking up and ALWAYS visually look, but have never done a pull-test to double-check my visual check...just sayin', not recommending to others or trying to start a flame war...
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Cummins12V98
on the road
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wilber1 wrote:Regardless of hitch type, 99% of the time it is not a mechanical failure when this happens, it is either poor procedure or getting out of sequence due to rushing or being interrupted when hooking up or unhooking.
The problem some are much more complicated to use than others and that lends to mistakes!
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larry barnhart
wenatchee. wa usa
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After watching a neighbor drop his fifth on his truck that was not the hitch at fault but him not thinking. Really was a dumb move but I now do the pull test from learning we can be dumb at times. I would do this using any brand of hitch.
chevman
chevman
2001 35 ft avalon alpenlite RK
2005 3500 2wd duramax CC dually
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