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Old 10-21-2013, 06:30 PM   #1
2Wanderers
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Pickup Bed Damage Avoidance

How many of you have had a pinbox drop out of your hitch and had box damage avoided by a safety catch mechanism? I haven't seen this topic on here in quite a while and believe it needs to be brought up again for those new to hauling these valuable 5th wheels around the country. I have seen at least five pickups in the last two years who found out about this the hard way (for one it had already happened to him twice, OUCH). A few endorsements might convince some of those who haven't considered a safety catch mechanism yet!!!
 
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Old 10-21-2013, 07:35 PM   #2
Alwims
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Cheapest insurance we ever bought. http://www.5thwheellatchkit.com/index.htm
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Old 10-21-2013, 07:47 PM   #3
Artemus Gordon
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Can give you the number $4500.00. That's what my damage cost. My neighbor did same thing. His was $4575.00. Yes that's a good range! Lol
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Old 10-22-2013, 02:42 AM   #4
Bruce Lenhardt
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I have a Blue Ox Bedsaver that I consider cheap insurance for my occasional old guy CRS.
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Old 10-22-2013, 02:51 AM   #5
Ozz
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Insurance, the devices are great insurance. I had the Blue Ox (For sale) and took it off put Butch's device on, much lighter and takes up way less space.
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Old 10-22-2013, 04:21 AM   #6
DQDick
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We put the Butch's on after trying to help a friend of my sister and having his SOB drop on my rails. It was a combination of my trusting him when he told me it was chocked and the landing gear was locked, his not knowing how to do it and my total stupidity of not checking everything. Pulled the pin and the trailer rolled back and dropped onto my bed rails. Now here's where there is something to be said for Keystone. It was an older Jayco and the damage was to the underside of his cap and my rails only had white paint embedded for a year or so. I would never be that lucky again so we did what we needed to do since I've been known to do dumb things from time to time.
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Old 10-22-2013, 04:40 AM   #7
jsmitfl
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Have had Butch's for a couple years now and love it
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Old 10-22-2013, 05:10 AM   #8
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Blue OX saved us!!! had it installed after damage done
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Old 10-22-2013, 05:11 AM   #9
waynemoore
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I have the Blue Ox on my hitch. Had to move it one time in a hurry. While hooking up a friend stoped by.. Well we all know what happened got talking and did not hook up correctly or check as I should have. When I pulled out the rig just slid back into the Blue Ox and not on the bed reals. What I like about the Blue Ox is it is idiot proof nothing to do it just works.
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Old 10-22-2013, 06:37 AM   #10
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Have the Butches attached and like the idea of a double safety, but do have to remember to close bar for the extra protection. I especially like the cost of the Butches compared to other bed savers.
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Old 10-22-2013, 11:40 AM   #11
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I have Butch also. Easy to install and great peace of mind.
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Old 10-23-2013, 05:32 PM   #12
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Apparently I was very lucky. I started to pull out and the pin unhitched in the campsite. The pin box on the trailer landed on the tail gate. I had a rubber coating on it and all that happened was 2 groves sort of cut into the rubber. No dents or anything.
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Old 10-25-2013, 08:54 AM   #13
Artemus Gordon
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We have adjusted our Proceedure ! We do a pull test with front landing gear "one inch" off the ground. We back up and move forward each time we hook up!
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Old 10-25-2013, 09:14 AM   #14
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Blue Ox on our hitch! Since it's made here in Nebraska, I decided to keep the money in State to help out the locals. As OZZ said it does take up a little more space but it does the job and I store my blocks and rinse out hose under the hitch and the Blue OX . Have "test dropped" the Monte several times just to make sure it works well. Yes, I said "test drops" and not accidently. Have been lucky on that respect! Have had the unit attached to the hitch for two trucks now and no problems! I do the same as Michael and "test tug" the unit both forward and back with the wheels chocked(this puts a little pressure on the hitch and pin to make sure it's holding) before heading down the road each time with the landing gear up only about 1/2 to 1 inch above the blocks. Don't know how the newer unit do it with the six point level-up system but it works for me on my old rig!
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Old 10-28-2013, 02:44 AM   #15
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Bruce Lenhardt

I have a Blue Ox Bedsaver that I consider cheap insurance for my occasional old guy CRS.
X2 - Big Time

Saved me once already!
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Old 10-28-2013, 03:07 AM   #16
Bill-N-Donna
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I had one incident that made me start thinking. Dropped the camper on the bed of the truck but was fortunate at the time the landing gear was extended enough that I didn’t receive any repairable damage to either the truck or the camper. I purchased a bed saver after that. I haven’t actually needed it since but the peace of mind and insurance of “what if” makes it worth having IMHO. I even feel better when I’m just towing down the road knowing that it’s back there.

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Old 10-30-2013, 02:02 PM   #17
farmall130
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I have a Pull Rite auto latch hitch. Doesn't that prevent this from happening? It will NOT latch unless you are correctly seated around the pin.
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Old 10-30-2013, 02:14 PM   #18
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by farmall130

I have a Pull Rite auto latch hitch. Doesn't that prevent this from happening? It will NOT latch unless you are correctly seated around the pin.
Not familiar with that hitch, but can it be locked so a trucker (****** off because you had to park in a truck spot to fit in a TA, Love's or a Pilot to eat lunch) can't pull the release and leave you to drive off? If not, you might want to consider one. I check mine everytime before I drive off and the emergency brake also but that doesn't mean I don't get in a hurry once in a while and forget to.
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Old 10-31-2013, 12:42 AM   #19
farmall130
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by DQDick

Quote:
quote:Originally posted by farmall130

I have a Pull Rite auto latch hitch. Doesn't that prevent this from happening? It will NOT latch unless you are correctly seated around the pin.
Not familiar with that hitch, but can it be locked so a trucker (****** off because you had to park in a truck spot to fit in a TA, Love's or a Pilot to eat lunch) can't pull the release and leave you to drive off? If not, you might want to consider one. I check mine everytime before I drive off and the emergency brake also but that doesn't mean I don't get in a hurry once in a while and forget to.
I see what you mean. I don't think it would release under pressure, but I think I'll check into the safety latch...
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Old 11-01-2013, 04:28 AM   #20
2Wanderers
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So far I have notice people have mentioned Butches and BlueOx as making devices to keep your pinbox from damaging the bed of your pickup. Are there any other products out there that do the job as effectively (both), and affordably (Butches)? If you know of any or have one, please post. Thanks
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