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Old 08-16-2014, 02:06 PM   #1
MikenAngie
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CRAP - CRAP- Crap

Even being EXTREMELY careful and double checking everything I managed to hear that terrible sound as the Monty drops onto the bed rails of our lovely truck!!!! Hence, Oh Crap. Actually it was a little more colorful than that. What have I learned? Double check hook up (even tho I bought and installed a Blu Ox bed saver, afterwards).
I also learned that making a mistake will cost you $4,544.00 with a $500.00 deductible. At least we have first time accident forgiveness and no rate increase.
All in all, I will continue to be careful but even more so now.
 
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Old 08-16-2014, 02:24 PM   #2
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Can you expand on exactly how it happened? May be helpful to everyone.
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Old 08-16-2014, 02:52 PM   #3
Flymutt
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by MikenAngie

Even being EXTREMELY careful and double checking everything
Do you mean that you double checked everything EXCEPT the hitch? In other words, you really didn't double check everything?
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Old 08-16-2014, 03:05 PM   #4
MikenAngie
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When I backed up to hitch, I felt the pin contact the hitch with that "solid feel". I'm uncertain if the trailer rolled slightly or if the truck moved as I put it in park. I got out, released the handle, flipped the latch and inserted the safety pin thinking I was secure. Yes Fly, I double checked everything but the hitch. Assumption is a terrible thing....... I have since read several suggestions as to how to prevent this..i,e, painting the hitch jaws to assure visual check, only retract the front jacks two inches until you check hitching is secure.......all wonderful suggestions unless they are too late. As stated, I now have a Blu Ox installed. On to a new adventure......hope this helps someone else.
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Old 08-17-2014, 01:49 AM   #5
WeBeFulltime
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Hitch brand? I'm betting it's Reese.
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Old 08-17-2014, 01:52 AM   #6
bethandkevin
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My Reese has the cross bar that closes behind the pin. I know it's latched when I hear the latch slam closed. I'm sure everyone has reasons for liking the hitch they have, this is why I like mine.
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Old 08-17-2014, 02:52 AM   #7
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Don't feel bad, it has happened to a lot of folks! I do visually inspect the jaws to make sure they are in position (Reese).
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Old 08-17-2014, 03:40 AM   #8
psomers
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Every one I have seen it has been a Reese hitch. It is the hitch that has two latching jaws that wraps the pin. It will be latched but unless you move the latching lever down into the slot on handle it will unlatch on hard pull.
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Old 08-17-2014, 03:49 AM   #9
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by psomers

Every one I have seen it has been a Reese hitch. It is the hitch that has two latching jaws that wraps the pin. It will be latched but unless you move the latching lever down into the slot on handle it will unlatch on hard pull.
I am not saying this will never happen to me, but with my Reese I take a couple extra steps because I feel it is the most important part of hooking up. After the visual inspection of the closed jaws I set handle down, get in truck and hold brake controller for a little pull test with landing gear an inch off ground (wheels still chocked). If all is good I run a pin through handle thus locking it into place.
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Old 08-17-2014, 04:11 AM   #10
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We all make mistakes, but don't back up to the pin with the jaws open. The pin will open the jaws itself and close back around the pin. Which is actually the way the instructions tell you to do it. You will hear the jaws slam back closed, which is an auditory cue that you are properly hitched. If you were able to flip the locking tab over, you were more than likely high hitched, meaning the jaws were under the pin. Which would have been another clue if you didn't hear the jaws open and then slam closed around the pin. Just food for thought...
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Old 08-17-2014, 04:34 AM   #11
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Had some idiot I was helping unhitch his rig without locking his landing gear (older model Jayco) and dropped it right on my bed rails. Left some of his paint on my plastic rail guards but no damage to the truck at all. Plenty of damage to the Jayco, however. Made me not only add Butch's solution but have a better respect for the construction of the Monty and since then no one touches my hitch but me.
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Old 08-17-2014, 05:07 AM   #12
MikenAngie
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by WeBeFulltime

Hitch brand? I'm betting it's Reese.

It was a Reese 16K Pro Series
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Old 08-17-2014, 05:11 AM   #13
MikenAngie
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This was an expensive learning experience that likely (hopefully) will never happen again.
It was a Reese 16k Pro Series hitch and upon reading, it's possible it was "high pinned" but I don't think so.
Regardless.......the Blu Ox is in place and maybe this info will help someone else.
Thanks for all the input too. Be well - Travel safe
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Old 08-17-2014, 05:58 AM   #14
TLightning
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I sure like my Husky with the sliding bar. When backing up and the pin trips the bar, it slams home, we are hooked...period.
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Old 08-17-2014, 06:04 AM   #15
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I dropped my rig and the Blue Ox saved the day. I was hetiching up to move the rig so the contractor could start building the garage I was having built to house my Montana. Just a case of to many people arround, contractors grew and neighbors just enough distractions that I didn't check as I should have. I like the Blue Ox because it is passive nothing to do it just works.
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Old 08-17-2014, 06:11 AM   #16
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by MikenAngie

Quote:
quote:Originally posted by WeBeFulltime

Hitch brand? I'm betting it's Reese.
It was a Reese 16K Pro Series
The newer Reese Elite has a one piece wrap around hook connected to the pull handle. When you back into the hitch, the hook wraps around the pin and the handle slams in. Then you put a locking pin thru ghe handle. Very positive latching mechanism.
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Old 08-17-2014, 08:41 AM   #17
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I know the sound - we did it last year and we have a Trailer Saver BD3. We checked and even pulled forward so I could get the chocks out. And then the clunk as we pulled away. I have since learned about the safety lock so the jaws cannot open. We have definitely changed our hitching routine and slowed everything down. Never want to hear that sound again. Good news was no damage to the Montana.
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Old 08-17-2014, 08:56 AM   #18
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We have had a bedsaver on our hitch for years, and sometimes I catch harassment from buddies indicating waste of money and weight and not needed if I do things right. It has saved me twice, which isn't bad for 13 years of fifthwheeling, but again saved me twice.
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Old 08-17-2014, 09:32 AM   #19
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by 1retired06

We have had a bedsaver on our hitch for years, and sometimes I catch harassment from buddies indicating waste of money and weight and not needed if I do things right. It has saved me twice, which isn't bad for 13 years of fifthwheeling, but again saved me twice.
First off, so sorry to hear about your accident. It could happen to any of us.

Like Mike, I put on a Blue Ox Bedsaver immediately after getting the Monty. Not that I ever plan on dropping it, but that is why they call them "Accidents". I figure I can replace it every few years just to keep the paint fresh for the cost of repairing a truck bed once(not that I would). It is an insurance policy I felt was well worth it. The day I had it installed we parked beside a truck with a crumpled bed at the commissary. When I showed the DW, she just smiled. Sometimes I do get it right

I've never had a Reese hitch so I am not familiar with their latching mechanism. I have a Hijacker hitch. When the pin hits the front of the 5th wheel, a solid steel bar SLAMS across locking it in. A visual check is always in order, but there is no missing the slam.
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Old 08-17-2014, 01:20 PM   #20
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The old PULL TEST with the tail gate DOWN, landing legs about 1 inch off the ground and wheel chocks in place. The rig will not move. This is my always do this test. I am amazed that so many RVers in a RV park do not do any pull test--I guess it takes to much time!
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