Troubleshooting Fifth Wheel Hitch that Slider Mechanism Does Not Want to Release  

Question:

Expert Reply:

What hitch do you have? In some cases slider hitches won't work properly if the rails they are installed in aren't perfectly parallel. You might measure the distance between the rails to see if it matches on both sides.

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.

expert reply by: Jameson C

0