Just something else to watch for...

[steelpony5555]

This past month we towed the trailer up to Canton Tx. No big deal other then the new truck not performing like I would like but when we got there I don't know what made me do it but I got up in the bed to take a good look at my hitch. It is a Reese 18K which has a huge main pin that holds the head on and is locked in with a clip type pin. Well the clip pin was laying in the bed??????? The main pin had worked its way out to the point where it was barely holding on. One more bump and whooooaaaaa is that a Montana trailer passing us???? Don't think anyone can reach into the bed to pull it, heck I need a step stool now to just unhook lol lol..... But those clip pins only go in one way so they can lock or the snap ring latches down. If you put it in the wrong way the ring doesn't latch down. So I don't know if I didn't do that right or when I was throwing stuff in the bed something hooked it or if when they put the hitch in the truck the dealer messed up. But that could have gotten real ugly. I usually do give the pins that hold it to the rails a look see but just have to add this one to the check list...

 

[Tom S.-MOC]

One more reason for a bed saver! Glad you caught it in time.

 

[DQDick]

Really glad you found it before the adventure.

 

[1retired06]

Also worth checking the four clips at the rails on the Reese hitch. I have found one off a couple of times. Guess stuff I carry in the bed can displaced them.

 

[nitrowoodtic]

I've knocked a few clips out also. Towed with one out and the pin backed out about half way. Scared me!!!! Now I always double check before I hitch up and when fueling.

 

[MDL-THOR]

WOW, really glad you caught that one. I have the pullrite system and so don't have any clips to install. I'm not aware of failures on that system, except possibly a cam roller failure. Good point on the bed saver option.

 

[steelpony5555]

Don't think the bed saver would have worked a whole lot doing 65 mph if it came out...lol lol I usually do take a look at the 4 pins in the rails, just never thought of the big pin holding the head on lol lol I will now lol lol

 

[Art-n-Marge]

The bed saver designs are pretty good so that I think it probably would have worked and done its job. I hope it certainly would cause enough jolt to get you to stop quick and prevent MAJOR damage (truck bed rails, front cap or worse). Since I don't have one, I check and recheck all my hitching gear, pins, safety latches and catches before, during and after transport and I'm happy to report everything has always been solid and that's the way I like it. While it might take longer than most and anyone watching might think I'm being pretty anal, I believe time is NOT the factor here. I agree that finding a problem like that would sure be quite disturbing or the event of a mishap based on my moment of mental weakness, oh my, don't take me there..

 

[harpoon-KEY]

Just goes to show how close we are to disaster. There are so many details involved that contribute to a successful trip. So many things to rely on doing their job, without a hitch (pun intended). Glad you discovered this before the "adventure" as Dick said. I'm still diggin' your new ride, by the way.

 

[Hooker-MOC]

That's what I liked about my Husky with the sliding bar...no pins, latches, snaps, or clips. When that bar slammed into place, there was no doubt in anybody's mind standing near, that the Montana was securely attached to the truck.

 

[ffaucheux]

/img]

Looks like the best bed saver would be one that bolts to the hitch base and not the round bar that bolts to back of the head.
This one would not do much good if you loses your head....

 

[scott-pati]

Glad you caught that in time. Can't even imagine what could have happened. The good lord was watching out for you and your family.

Scott

 

[The Weekenders]

Yikers! I check all the pins from time to time but I guess should pay more attention more often. Glad you came out OK.

 

[CORattler]

Good "heads up"!
I wonder if it would be possible to bend the pin enough once it is in to prevent unintentional dislodging or even tampering??
Maybe a cotter pin as a substitute?

 

[jcurtis934]

I also have the Reese Elite 18K and one of the first things I did was take out the two clips that hold the hitch in the bed of the truck and replaced them with locks that are keyed the same. Haven't done the two under the head that hold it in place, but I always look at them from time to time. Given the room under there...it looks like I can pull out the clips/pins and replace them with the appropriately sized grade eight bolts and locknuts. Sure it makes it more work to remove the head if you want, but no dink will be able to mess with your hitch when you aren't looking. John

 

[MikeDett]

The pro's driving the 18 wheelers... Watch them at the break check area or truck stops the older drive is bumping tires, check suspension, looking at 5th wheel lock.

Last week as I was hooking up the 3400rl I had the tire gauge out check air pressure and a fellow camper was walking by. He commented that he doesn't see many of the RVer doing a safety check mush less a tire check. I asked if he did it every time he hooked up.

He said for the last 32 year and 2.5 million miles working for a major freight carries. No accidents.

STOP LOOK Review Be safe.

 

[dalengail]

fauch, is that set-up available commercially? I can see where that would be a whole lot better n' nuthin'!

 

[steelpony5555]

Here ya go this is similar to the one in the pic and price ain't bad compared to the Blue Ox $200+ ...But as was said in my case it would not have helped since the main pin holds the whole head on. So trailer and hitch head would have gone. lol lol


http://www.5thwheellatchkit.com/

and heres the Blue Ox
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/400666008714

 

[Art-n-Marge]

I think if you lose the head, the base mounted bed saver wouldn't do much good either and if someone loses the base then that bedsaver ain't much help either.

I wonder if the OP was a victim of some clown pulling the locking pin from the hitch head hasp. Didn't necessarily want to be around to watch the mishap, but I would guess some wackos are happy enough knowing someone might have a mishap without them being around to be blamed (he'd be the one with the cameras or huge amounts of laughter). I have a lock on my hasp, but nothing for locking the base legs. It's another thing I check when hitching up and before taking off from a future stop.

 

[steelpony5555]

Nah I don't think it was anyone doing it on purpose. Where it's at they would have to get up into the bed. It was either when they switched my hitch to the new truck or the pin was in backwards. The snap ring that keeps the pin in has to be in so the flat side is towards the metal. But either way I will watch it in the future or find some type of pin that will fit in there and lock in....