Troubleshooting A 5th Wheel Hitch And Trailer King Pin That Wont Release
Question:
I can not get the 5th wheel to release so that I can get my 5th wheel off truck Please help me
asked by: Judy S
Expert Reply:
Without knowing the actual hitch you are using, I can only give you general info. Sometimes with this issue it is because you are taking too much weight off the hitch. The hitch needs a certain amount of weight on it to function correctly and release the lower portion of the king pin. You may want to try a little more weight on the hitch and a bit less on the jacks. Another solution is the exact opposite, to take more weight off the hitch especially if you are using a lube plate disc. You will want to make sure the jaws are disengaged and the landing gear is supporting the majority of the trailer weight.
I recommend moving back and forth very slightly to see if you can move whatever is binding. Sometimes it requires just finding the position that has the least amount of tension on the jaw for the release of the king pin. If you need to slide the hitch then you would turn the slider handle, not the hitch head handle, to the desired mode (locked towing, unlocked, locked maneuvering).
Once you are able to disconnect your trailer from the hitch, be sure to generously lube the moving parts so they function smoothly so you don't have the same issue in the future.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Curt A20 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ R20 Slider - Dual Jaw - 20,000 lbs
- Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Sliding Fifth Wheel
- Above Bed Rails
- 5000 lbs Vertical Load
- 20000 lbs GTW
- Cushioned Double Pivot
- Standard - Double Jaw
- 17-1/2 - 21-1/2 Inch Tall
- 12 Inch Fore/Aft Travel
- CURT
more information >
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Bud B.
4/27/2020
Im having similar issue with the Curt A20 being difficult to uncouple. The direction of leaving some weight on the hitch is in direct conflict with the video provided by Curt. cant help but think there is flaw in the design of the Curt hitch.