RVER
West of Boston, MA
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Joined: 10/29/2000
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YES that is so true, you MUST look to make sure the jaws are around the pin and the biggest part of the pin is below the jaws. I have painted the pin bottom piece white so I can see it immediately and also put reflective tape on it which is white. I should paint the jaws reflective red or something but am afraid of gumming up the jaws but look with flashlight if in evening. I dropped mine because I hear the clunk, did not look and then dropped it and the pin went between two rails on my hitch(Superglide) and it took a lot of manuvering to get the pin head totally evenly between the rails (I had turned a little when pulling out) so I could use a hydraulic lifter to get the pin out from between the rails and then drop the legs and re hook up. NEW truck,NEW topper and the topper rail really saved the truck unbelieveably, the truck got a little divet and so did the rail. In manuvering the truck and the pin the pin box was against the tailgate so the tailgate bulges a little but does close so NO body work done. IT was a lesson that will stay with me the rest of my rving times.
Chevy Silverado 2500HD with Duramax engine and Allison transmission
2002 Sunnybrook 34BWTS with lots of goodies
Pullrite Superglide Hitch, Prodigy brake controller
S and S Co-Travelers and along for the ride is Ketzel the wonder cat.
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Irelands child
Any City
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Joined: 05/01/2006
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I'm sorry to see your 'dings', but it does happen, especially if you are distracted. I was successfully able to "test" my Blue Ox Bed Saver the very first time unhooking after installing it simply because I had neglected to chock the wheels in my driveway. Had I not had that, my pictures would have been exactly the same except my FX4 is black. Oh and my B&W Companion hitch - you couldn't have done the damage as long as the locking pin is in place, which is a strong positive for that hitch. As a note, I bought my first 5er years ago, damaged after it had been dropped. Except for some minor cosmetics and a small piece of aluminum skin that needed replacing, that was a great deal and that '74 RV is still being used as a summer seasonal.
If it makes you feel a bit better, I had my 5er delivered to my home and the TT picked up - and the dealer's '08 Chevy had at least 3 distinct dents from them dropping 5ers.
I like the idea of a surplus take off bed better then a repair. It gives you a chance to look at the chassis from a different perspective plus it will most likely be new.
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rick83864
Sandpoint, ID
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Joined: 09/04/2009
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Capt Skup wrote:If the truck's bed is badly damaged, there is a way to save quite a bit on replacement. Hundreds of stock OEM pickup beds are removed each year to allow aftermarket "upfitter" custom work beds to be installed. Facilities re-sell those almost brand new beds for a whole lot less than what a dealer purchase would cost you. There is a local yard that has racks filled with these beds waiting to be purchased. Many I saw last time I drove by were Public Works yellow(think checker cab). All you have to do is have it repainted to match your truck and have it installed.
To hopefully prevent the experience you just went through, I do the whole hitch up procedure myself, not letting anyone/anything lose my concentration. I also have marked the locking part of my hitch with reflective paint. I can shine a flashlight at it and insure that the jaw has fully wrapped around the pin. I also do a pull test with the landing legs only about 1" off the ground, good strong tug. My hitch, Reese Signature Series is suppose to prevent drops by not allowing the locking pin to be inserted unless the jaw is fully latched but I still use the flashlight and the pull test.
Sorry about you mishap. I am the same way, that way I only have myself to blame. DW takes dog out for the walk. I take nothing for granted and I double check everything. The "pull test" with the legs a bit off the ground both forward and reverse. Its not to hard to look down the throat and see the pin in the jaws either. I do this twice also. It is all part of my routine like making sure the antenna is down checking air in tires, SP cord etc. They sell bed savers though. I know how you must of felt, few years ago the guy camping next to me did the same thing (new rig too). I thought he was going to loose his breakfast right there. Good luck
06 Dodge 3500 Laramie 4x4 Dually
5.9 Cummins HO Automatic,Jacobs brake, Dodge Navigation
06 Grand Junction 34' Mor/ryde, 5500 Onan genny, Dual A/C, Fireplace
21500 GVW
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BruceStarkey
Ontario, Canada
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Joined: 05/02/2004
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I'll jump in here with a disclaimer that; while you are responsible for your own actions, the couple you were chatting with while performing your hook-ups at the storage area, if also RV'ers, did you no favours by making themselves part of your distractions.
I make it a rule to keep myself out of the "comfort zone" of folks either hooking up or setting up, as those are the two activities that a moments distraction can cause untold amounts of damage or injury. RV'ers who've been at it awhile, know this and should keep their distance, only jumping in if they see you're about to do something that could cause a serious problem for yourself.
I have avoided serious damage to myself and my equipment only though observing this to the N'th degree when I'm in the middle of either exercise by requesting of folks who want to chat: "I don't mean to be rude but, as I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer, I have to pay strict attention to my routine, so if you wouldn't mind, I'll chat after I'm done, OK?"
Today is just the tomorrow you worried about yesterday!
'04' International 4400 LoPro 310Hp/950FtLbs 10Spd Harley/RV Toter
'05' Mobile Suites 38RL3
'01' Harley Ultra in the bike barn.
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thomasmnile
Deltona, Fl.
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Joined: 05/14/2009
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Agree with all the posters regarding distraction. As you discovered, it can ruin your day. Though new at this, I would never bother someone as they're setting up or taking down and hooking up. Had it happen to me in TX. last year. A nice enough guy started talking to me about my hitch and hydraulic levelers. When he was done, I picked up where I thought I'd left off. Getting ready to leave and I found some of my plumbing still attached to the water spigot and the TV cable still attached to the pedestal. Like Capt. Skup, if I'm interrupted I walk through the whole thing again and the DW backs it up with her checklist. CRS, I guess, but better safe than sorry.
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afdds
California
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Joined: 01/10/2003
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Today I'm starting to feel an little better. Don't think I'll loose my breakfast! 
I'm sure everyone is correct.....a visual might not have been done. Painting white...it's done on the King Pin? (attached to the RV).
I know a lot of you have posted that "your other half" helps and checks and rechecks what you have done. I have a little problem with this. Don't get me wrong I don't mind doing it, but it's scary being underneath the RV when it's attached to the truck. I don't like walking back there. And after it fell, all the more reason not be underneath the thing. I also hate that DH is standing behind the truck to guide me on. I keep thinking to myself that if I hit the wrong pedal, gas VS brake, he would be toast.
We have reservations this weekend, but I don't feel comfortable going out again until we have the BedSaver in place. I know I'm chicken...I'm sure it's like riding a bike or getting back on a horse. I have to do it sometime.
Debra
F350 Lariat,Crew Cab long bed 4x4 Diesel
Heartland Big Country 3500RL
"Our home is where the Air Force sends us!"
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CactusJohn
Scottsdale, AZ
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Joined: 03/23/2008
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I wouldn’t want anyone behind the truck when I’m hitching up either. When I first got my 5er, I could never back the truck and get the hitch aligned with the kingpin on the first try. I came up with a method that works every time and allows me to do it alone. I cut a triangle (arrow) from white duct tape and put it in the bottom of the center of my rear window. I put another white triangle on the center of the top of the hitch, so that it’s visible through the rearview mirror. As I’m backing up, I just look in the rearview mirror and align the two white triangles with the approaching kingpin. The three points are like sighting down a gun barrel. To get the proper kingpin height, I bought the Hookup Memory Level at Camping World and stuck it next to the landing gear switch on the side of the 5er. I use it to mark the position of the 5er when I unhitch so I can raise or lower the 5er to that same height when I’m ready to re-hitch, without having to get in and out of the truck. (The level has a pointer that you slide to mark the position of the bubble.) I also use it as a regular level to level front to back.
Here’s something else you may want to consider. I painted the visible edge of the jaws white as well as the collar of the kingpin. That way, when I’m hitched, I can easily verify that the jaws are closed around the kingpin, and that the collar is below the jaws, i.e., not high-hitched. Without the white paint, you need a flashlight to see back up into the black hole.
2007 Ameri-Camp (RIP) Summit Ridge SF27RK 5er
2008 F250 Lariat SuperCab, 6.4L PSD
Reese 16K Kwik-Slide with BedSaver
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BruceStarkey
Ontario, Canada
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Joined: 05/02/2004
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All who express reservations at getting underneath the gooseneck area of your trailer to check those jaws are quite right to do so.
The CDL testing requirements 'require' you to verify your jaws while NOT going under the trailer. Hard to do but wise. If you must go under there to actually see your jaws do it with the tailgate down and remain below the level of your bed rails with no part of your body between your bedrails and the underside of your gooseneck only AFTER making sure your truck and trailer are both still immobile with chocks, in park AND with parking brake applied, engine off.
Relying upon your trucks wimpy little automatic transmission parking pawl for anything other than keeping your truck by itself from rolling slightly on flat gound is foolhardy in the extreme.
Any back-up assistance should be given by someone standing to the side of the trucks rear so they are visible in one of your side mirrors only. If you don't see that person in your mirror you don't move the truck, simple!
You have a choice to make when using a P/U with visibility of your trailer king-pin through your rear window. You can back to within a few inches of your hitch using your vision through that window, then by switching your vision to your side mirror, rely on your partner to verify the height of the trailer is correct and to make any leg adjustments and to then also guide you into the hitch head. I've often noticed however that folks attempt to combine the two methods in a totally confusing mishmash of trying to alternativley look out the rear window AND the side mirror AND listen to voice guidance from the rear AND leaping in and out of the truck in a hurried manner as though their life depended upon getting the thing hooked up and out of there in a heartbeat.
Take your time and develop a routine, with practice, that works for you and stick to it religiously, you're less likely to forget one little item that could really ruin your day that way.
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RVER
West of Boston, MA
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Joined: 10/29/2000
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NEVER have anyone stand behind the truck when hitching, you could kill someone!! Have them stand to the side of the truck so they can see if you coming in straight to the pin but NEVER behind the truck. Once you hook up is the time to go behind and check that it is in right.
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Ford Man
Tennessee
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Joined: 04/30/2005
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I have not done that YET. Been towing a fifth wheel for about 8 years or so. Always have a fear of doing that. I did buy a Bed Saver for the hitch. Check into it. Sorry for your misfortune. It could and does happen everyday.
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