Truck Tail Gate Question

[travelin' texans]

Talked a fellow a few years ago that was traveling with 2 others all with 5ers & while they were in Cracker Barrel having lunch someone pulled/released their hitches, all 3 had dimpled truck beds. THAT'S NOT FUNNY!! I check mine now everytime we stop.

[RWJSIM2003]

I put a pad lock on ours. I had the same thing happen on a previous 5er while in Montana at a Truck stop. I always check before leaving and I caught it but the lock pin was pulled and laying on the ground beside the truck. Wish I had seen who did it. Could have been really bad.

[piper guy]

Same here, I put a padlock through the hitch arm on my Reese. Don't want to have to think about that ......

[piper guy]

Same here, I've got a padlock through the hitch arm.

[Grizzby]

Thanks for the feedback. Formulabill...that was bad...but funny. I need to remember that for my Ford friends!

[Grizzby]

Hey you'll...sorry I asked the question! Lol

[hoosierguy]

Originally Posted by travelin' texans

Talked a fellow a few years ago that was traveling with 2 others all with 5ers & while they were in Cracker Barrel having lunch someone pulled/released their hitches, all 3 had dimpled truck beds. THAT'S NOT FUNNY!! I check mine now everytime we stop.

Danny,

I do put a lock on to prevent the accidental (or otherwise) release of the hitch. Also, when I originally purchase the 5th wheel hitch, I also purchased a Blue Ox product that is mounted to the hitch frame. Its function is to catch the king pin and prevent the trailer from coming down on the truck bed rails.

Guy

[Shane Wood]

That is a great idea Guy. Would you happen to have info on where to get one
Thanks

[r time soon]

Shane, Looks like amazon and etrailer have them. Probably others. Blue Ox bed saver and probably more out there.

Chris

[Char & Steve]

Just watched a video of the Blue Ox bed saver on youtube and looks like a very nice addition and priced well. The guy even said that it's not IF is happens but WHEN it happens.

[hoosierguy]

Originally Posted by Shane Wood

That is a great idea Guy. Would you happen to have info on where to get one
Thanks

I ordered mine through the business that installed my PullRite Super 5th 20.5K hitch. They assembled everything at the time of installation. Here is an eTrailer link that shows several models for different hitch brands.

Fifth Wheel King Pin Safety System Accessories and Parts | etrailer.com

I just felt that it was a very good insurance against an accidental 5th wheel hitch disconnect, and at the time, I was totally new to 5th wheel towing.

[Shane Wood]

Thank you very much.
I have been hauling 5th Wheels for 40 years and this little device should be standard on every hitch. Everytime I pulled out from under a trailer I wondered if the landing gear was going to hold. And also for the human nature factor.

[atom ant]

It's a good habit to get into to always do a walkaround and recheck the hitch before turning the key to go. The mischief of pulling pins and hitch levers has been going on for years and can strike anywhere. Having a bed saver catch the pin box might make the insurance company feel better, but the driver should feel like a chump for ever pulling away without checking.

As far as an accidental let go, The Reese Elite with the wraparound is a pretty positive lock - After having the jaws on prior hitches that always made me pucker when I pulled away, I always feel confident I'm locked with the Elite wraparound. Not the easiest hitch to hitch I might add, but a good positive lock.

[r time soon]

AA, I agree with you there. I always do a walk around to see if everything is like we left it when we walked away from the truck. On our round trip to Gulf Shores, AL I locked the hitch arm and also locked my tailgate to be sure someone didn't release it partially, only to have it drop down while traveling. I have seen what a tailgate in the down position does to the cargo door when the truck turns. Big damage. Short local trips with the RW I don't usually lock the tailgate because we only stop once we get there.

Chris

[atom ant]

Ya I forgot about the tailgate. I usually lock it to keep it from being stolen, but its not locked when I travel. I should probably start doing that.

What I would really like is one of those Pace Edwards electric locks tied to the other doors. That would lock it as soon as I started moving over 15 mph.

[Radio_Flyer]

Agree with locking the hitch, people are just mean. I have the wiring harness and tailgate lock for my Ram, it will use the remote fob and lock/unlock with the doors, just need to find the time to install it.

[Jim & Mary]

I installed the Pop and Lock on my tailgate. Locks/unlocks with door lock switches or the key fob. Works well for bed security, as I have an extang solid fold bed cover installed.

Pop and Lock

[atom ant]

Oh wow, I've never seen that before. A little cheaper than the Pace Edwards I believe.

[Shane Wood]

Originally Posted by Jim & Mary

I installed the Pop and Lock on my tailgate. Locks/unlocks with door lock switches or the key fob. Works well for bed security, as I have an extang solid fold bed cover installed.

Pop and Lock

I need me one of these

[Char & Steve]

Just installed the Blue Ox and very simple installation that took about 30 minutes and most of that was trying to find the drill bit. Hope I never need it!!!

Steve