Problems with Reese 16k Kwik slide 5th wheel

I just purchased a used 2005 32ft. Wildcat 5th wheel. I also purchased the 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 and reese hitch from the same owner. I seem to have a great difficultly setting and releasing the pin locking mechanism. Am I doing something wrong or is this an issue with this particular hitch and model?

I would appreciate any guidance and/or advice you could share with me.

I thank you in advance

Guy

Guy

I have the same set up and have never had any problems. Some times when releasing I do have to take some of the tension off the hitch before the handle will let it release. If you have backed into your site, after you raise the front of your 5th wheel to take the downward weight off the hitch, have the trailer wheels chocked, place your transmission in forward and this should release the tension. Hope this helps. Jim

When I can't unhitch, I have found that putting the truck in neutral helps to release the tension.

I do not have the Reese hitch, but when I have tension issues its because the pin is pressing on the bar (for your Reese its jaws?), I release pressure by backing the truck so the King pin is on the front of the hitch. All I really do is engage reverse and take my foot off the brake for a moment and then put it back in park.

Glen Schumann wrote:I do not have the Reese hitch, but when I have tension issues its because the pin is pressing on the bar (for your Reese its jaws?), I release pressure by backing the truck so the King pin is on the front of the hitch. All I really do is engage reverse and take my foot off the brake for a moment and then put it back in park.

Exactly what I do Glen. It seems when mine will not release its always because the truck is still pulling away from the camper too much.

Scotch the trailer first and do as stated above. Works for me everytime.

I see beginners make the mistake of raising the 5er too high off the hitch as well. All you need is to raise enough get the hitch leveled and a very, very slight seperation. (Think paper thin.) Matter of fact, I rarely even take it high enough to see any seperation. Like everything else it gets eaiser the more you do it. You just get a feel for it after a while.

Glen Schumann wrote:I do not have the Reese hitch, but when I have tension issues its because the pin is pressing on the bar (for your Reese its jaws?), I release pressure by backing the truck so the King pin is on the front of the hitch. All I really do is engage reverse and take my foot off the brake for a moment and then put it back in park.

DITTO on backing the truck to release pressure on the king pin. I do this after the wheels are chocked.

Richard Mondavi wrote:
DITTO on backing the truck to release pressure on the king pin. I do this after the wheels are chocked.

Good thing to mention; I slipped up and forgot that step. Thanks.

to the Forum. I have the same hitch and it took me a couple of times to hit the "sweet spot" when hooking up. I have just enough contact on the hitch to roll it back before the king pin latches.

Too much weight on the hitch makes it difficult and too little weight or no weight at all can cause a false hook up and you can dump your trailer down the road. Always check for proper hookup before raising your camper front legs and removing chocks.

Here is a reference link for you: http://www.ehow.com/how_7615767_reese-hitch-hookup-instructions.html

Does your capture plate have a teflon disk attached? If it does, make sure it is in good condition.

A little grease on the kingpin (not the capture plate too) and on the jaws can help. It doesnt' take much.

Hope you get it figured out soon and get started enjoying your Cat.

Thanks for the help everyone

Another problem that will cause the hitch to tighten up is having the kingpin to high and up against the jaws. On my Husky 16K there isn't much room between when the kingpin housing lifts off of the hitch plate and when the ridge on the kingpin contacts the bottom of the jaw. Too much pressure and the jaw just will not release.