What am I doing wrong?

[Baldicon]

I apologize for the length of the post below.

First, let me describe the repeated problem with my 5th wheel hitches (yes more than one). My first hitch was a B&W Companion (Ford puck mount). Initially, it worked great. But I wanted to add some damping between the truck and 5th wheel, so I replaced my Roto-flex pin box with a Lippert Trailair. After using the combination approximately 18 months, I developed play between the pin box pin and hitch jaws which caused a loud “clunk” when stopping or starting forward. I placed a strip of blue masking tape covering the side of the pin box and hitch and cut a slit in the tape between the two. I then made a pencil mark after the truck/5th wheel was backed up and then pulled forward and the two pencil marks were about an 1/8” apart showing there was play between the two. I sent pictures to B&W, and they replaced the hitch head, no questions asked (great service).

So the new hitch head and Trailair combo worked great, for another 18 months when it developed the same “clunking” noise. This time I crawled in the truck bed behind the hitch and watched the hitch jaws. The “clunking” noise was caused by the jaw slightly opening and then slamming back closed whenever the truck/5th wheel was started or stopped. Took a video of the jaw movement and sent it to B&W and again they replaced the hitch head at no cost. I questioned the B&W engineer about the B&W combination with the Trailair, and he said there are a lot of folks using that combination and they had not seen the problem that I had.

But before I used the new hitch head, I came across a used Comfort Ride hitch which has built in damping. So I put my old Roto-flex pin box back on (not supposed to use a cushioned pin box with a cushioned hitch). It worked great moving camp spots at our local campground, and then also on our recent trip down to Destin and Gulf Shores. But when moving from Destin to Gulf Shores, I noticed a familiar sound and it continued on our trip back home. When we got back home, I checked and yes, the jaws were opening and then closing slightly, similar to the B&W (but not quit as bad).

So, I am wondering if I am causing damage with my hitching procedure.

Here is the way I hookup: I position the pin box plate slightly below the hitch plate and then let the pin box plate ride up onto the hitch plate as I back up. I use the truck camera to line the hitch and pin box up as I back up. When I get close, I get out and walk behind the truck to make sure the two are lined up good. And then I use the mirror on the front of the camper to watch the pin box ride up onto the hitch so I won’t slam into it too hard. And, I always do a pull test with the front jacks a couple of inches off the ground after hooking up.

Here is the way I unhook: I extend the front jacks down until the pin box plate slightly lifts off of the hitch plate. I then retract the front jacks slightly until the pin box presses down on the hitch. So, after releasing the hitch, the pin box plate slides down off of the hitch plate slightly as I pull the truck out.
Once when releasing the Comfort Ride hitch, it was in a slight bind and I had to use a little force to push the handle to release the jaws. The truck moved a little forward when the jaws released.

Do any of you guys or girls see a problem with my hitching or unhitching procedure that would cause the problems and I am having? It has happened with two different hitches and two different pin boxes.

Thanks in advance for any input.