Jaws Will Not Release on Reese 16K 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch

Question:

jaws will not release when unhooking. I have tried backing up then forward to release, has worked in the past but Not today. I lubed the hitch yesterday. Thank you.

asked by: Guy G

Expert Reply:

Does the handle on the 5th wheel hitch offer any resistance when you pull on it to open the jaws? If it doesn't then that is an indication of a broken spring. But there is a second spring that could be missing as well.

The trouble is you have to access the underside of the head to access the springs. If the hitch jaws will not release and the trailer is coupled then you can try to pry apart the jaws manually. Other wise you would have to release the head from the legs which I do NOT recommend. Have a shop do that for you.

The backing up/going forward technique can work if there is too much tension on the jaws to open them. But if something is bent or the truck and trailer are not on level ground then that doesn't always work.

expert reply by: Michael H

Betty S.

5/23/2020

We have a Husky 5th wheel 16K, this issue of the hitch not releasing happens a lot to us. You said there is 2 springs, will the hitch still work off an on with only 1 spring? Could this be our issue we are missing 1 spring? Afraid one of these days it wont release at all.

Chris R.

5/26/2020

A broken spring is honestly unlikely in this instance. When the jaws of a 5th wheel hitch don't want to release it's usually because the trailer is on unlevel ground (or simply unlevel at the nose to begin with). I would try either jacking the nose up just a bit more or lowering it if possible (whichever direction makes it more level with the truck) so that the king pin can better line up with the hitch funnel. A lot of times the king pin sits just a tiny bit too high and binds up with the jaws so that can't release properly. Let me know if this doesn't help and we'll go from there.

Betty S.

5/26/2020

@ChrisR, We sure will give this a try hope it works. Thank you