bed saver

Added a bed saver to my hitch . Several people said it was not needed but feel safer with it , kind of like the insurance policy have it hope you never need it. Was quick and easy to install . Jim

I installed one on my hitch, but it was after $1000.00 of damaged tailgate. Make sure it down far enough that it doesn't interfer with hitching and unhitching. I wish I would have installed mine before having things fall off the hitch, the tailgate is an expensive way to catch the trailer.

When we first purchased our 5th wheel hitch, I decided the bed saver was a good idea. Anything mechanical can fail, and the jaws looked suspect, so for peace of mind, like both of you, we purchased the bed saver. Cheap insurance.

It would be interesting to find out which kind of hitches are failing and why.

To my knowledge there are two kinds of 5th wheel hitches; those with a single, wrap around jaw, and those with a dual clamping jaw.

My hitch has the single, wrap around jaw where there is alot of positive contact and the force of the pull is against the curve of the single jaw. If the unlocking bar is locked, there is almost no way that I can think of for the jaw to open, save having the internal mechanism completely fail. Mine is a simple mechanism with two heavily constructed hinge points. With the locking tab down and into the groove on the unlocking bar and the locking pin in place, I can't see how it would come undone.

Yes, I know that if the locking tab is not down or pinned, then the unlocking bar can move out of position and open the jaw. Locking the 5th wheel process is burned into my brain and if I forget, the DW sure won't.

Is it easier for the double clamping jaw type to fail? I don't know because I don't have one, but it seems as if there is less positive contact with this type. Also the backward force of the pull and the strain will be directly onto the area where the jaws meet.

Also, are the failures being caused by the hitch or by the user?

JUST WONDERING .....

Mine is the double clamping type (Curt 20K slider). The way I see the jaws working is they "slip" up or down into locking position. So the pressure generated by the kingpin is held in the rear of the jaw against the steel of the head unit. I think. I would tend to think it kind of hard to have that fail as well, but again, anything is possible.

Most of the problems are caused by human error, but there has been cases where vandals have come in the night and opened the pins. Sure it is all our responsibility to check the hitch each and every time we leave, but how many of us have pulled over to the side of the road and had lunch then just got back into our trucks without checking the hitch. It takes about two seconds for a vandal to unlock the hitch. Mechanical or human failure, it is expensive. A bed saver is cheap insurance.

Mine is a single, Husky with a slider. I was pulling the trailer and had no problem. Then I backed up and then forward and thee trailer fell and the tailgate caught it. Then I caught it from the DW and insurance company.

I am as green as grass when it comes to a bed saver, what is it and does it work and where can they be purchased.

Mike,

We have a Hijacker. This hitch has a single locking bar that
slides into place behind the kingpin which is held in front by a
yoke. The bar won't slide and lock until the kingpin is pressed
into the yoke.

Cardinal_Bill wrote:Mike,

We have a Hijacker. This hitch has a single locking bar that
slides into place behind the kingpin which is held in front by a
yoke. The bar won't slide and lock until the kingpin is pressed
into the yoke.

Bill,

I think that this is the safest type of 5th wheel hitch. I beleive it's the way that the big rigs hitch to their trailers.

Mine is a bar that slides across behind the pin and closes up the opening.Then I padlock it shut.Like Maxtor said,Never know who will mess with it.
Hey Sean...Here is a small video clip explaining the bed saver.
http://store.boatnrv.com/boatnrv/details.php?ITEM=5644501

Sean

Here's the pdf brochure on the bedsaver and pinlock products from Blue Ox.

http://www.blueox.us/PDFS/BedSaverBrochure.pdf

TC

We have a HiJacker like Cardinal Bill. Have had it for over 13 years with no issues. As long as the bar is snapped in place I am pretty sure it would be impossible for the pin to come out. I still always do a visual inspection of the jaw. I am well pleased with the quality and performance and they are priced right. I like the idea of the bedsaver for a piece of mind but hate to give up the space since I have a short bed.

KH

Should not need a bedsaver but for $160.00 not a bad investment. I have been on a few calls where the hitch on semis have failed . Jim

Thanks for the info every one, this seems like a good idea and a lot cheaper than a new tail gate. I will have to enquire if one is available for a 18k supperglide.

I got mine at carparts.com they were cheeper than anyone else . Jim

Just wondering. This may sound stupid but, For those of you that have this bedsaver that have slides on your hitches.If you use your slide,does the bed saver hit the tailgate?