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07-14-2018, 05:19 AM #11
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2017 Ford F-350 DRW 6.7L Platinum
2019 315RLTS (purchased 16 Jul 18 from Campers Inn RV in Byron, GA)
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07-15-2018, 07:41 PM #12
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The one thing I have not seen anybody mention that I do with my 5th wheel. I raise the front landing off the ground about 3" and then I check the brakes by rolling forward and manually controlling the brake controller. I watched a camper check the brakes and for some reason the pin was not connected correctly and the trailer fell down on the truck causing a lot of damage. So I just raised my landing gear up a couple of inches apply the brake controller and roll forward. If all is good, I raise the landing gear up the rest of the way and I'm on the road.
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07-15-2018, 08:23 PM #13
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Originally Posted by [email protected]
I always get directly behind the hitch to observe the jaws are closed around the king pin. Also on my Reese there is a metal tab the shows when it is properly hitched. Only then is it possible to push through the safety pin.
I always squeeze the trailer brake controller and allow the engine torque to try and move the trailer a bit. If the jaws don't hold, hopefully I've stopped in time before the whole thing falls off the hitch plate.
Your advice can potentially save someone a big headache!2017 Ford F450 - our kids call her "Big Red"
2018 Grand Design Reflection 28bh
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07-15-2018, 09:40 PM #14Originally Posted by [email protected]
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk2023 Momentum 398M-R
2023 Ford F-450
SOLD - 2021 Reflection 311BHS
SOLD - 2017 Momentum 399TH
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07-15-2018, 10:06 PM #15
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I just want to make sure the torque of the truck pulls on the hitch, insted of the landing gear. I used to do it with the landing gear down, and then I watched as my wife did it. And I noticed how much torque it was applying to the landing gear. I am not getting a running start and then applying the controller, I'm doing this from the stand still. The trailer still rocks back-and-forth several inches just from the flex of the springs and tires. I figure it's best to not apply that much torque to the landing gear. But your gear may appear to be sturdier than mine does.
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07-16-2018, 06:12 AM #16
This discussion is now mixing two different things. One is checking the brakes and the other is checking the hitch connection. Obviously both are important, but they are different tasks. There is certainly no need to lift the landing gear 3" or remove the chocks to check the hitch connection. If your hitch connections comes apart, you would want your landing gear very close to the ground and the trailer chocks still in place. I do lift my landing gear clear of the ground by maybe 1/2" before doing this pull test to make sure that the full weight of the trailer is on the hitch.
I also manually engage the trailer brakes when doing the hitch pull test to make sure that I don't roll over a chock. One of the benefits of the electric-over-hydraulic trailer disc brakes is that you can hear the onboard trailer brake actuator spool up, which tells you that the trailer brakes are connected.
RobCate & Rob
2015 Reflection 303RLS
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07-23-2018, 11:10 AM #17
I tend to check my brakes both with the TBC and I pull the pin- not both at the same time of course. I do this for several reasons. For one, I have several bumper pulls and they depend upon a separate battery for the break away switch. This tests the battery and switch. Even though RV's depend upon the coach batteries the switch can still be bad. I find they are cheaply made and if you leave your trailer outside you now have rain getting into it.
I have never had a trailer break free but if I do I want the brakes to engage.Donald AKA johndeerefarmer
2020 Ford F350 Powerstroke diesel
2017 F150 ecoboost max tow
2016 Reflection 29RS VIN# 573FR322XG3305717
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07-23-2018, 11:15 AM #18
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I do the same technique but only raise landing gear about 1/4 inch so as to not damage it if the unit is not properly engaged
Bob and Shirley (both recently retired)
Ontario Canada
2018 Solitude 310GK
2018 Ford Diesel King Ranch F350 Short Bed
Pull Rite Super Glide
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07-23-2018, 12:53 PM #19
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The pull test should be done using the brake controller - on fivers, we do it not only to check brakes but to insure the hitch connection is solid. It should be done with the front legs down and your hitch in the fully locked position - also, be careful not to drag the legs. If you are high pinned (which is more common than you think), you won't drop the rig into your bed causing a lot of damage and more importantly, you won't have to worry about being in motion as your rig unhitches. You should do the pull test whenever you hook up and I also recommend doing it at rest stops (for just testing the brakes) to insure the they are are still working. As far as pulling the breakaway switch, I check it when the mood strikes me, but usually only before departing on a sustained journey - don't leave it unhooked for an extended period as that can fry the electrics.
Speaking of rest stops, I use a padlock on my hitch instead of the provided pin. I have heard (but fortunately not seen) of instances where supposedly some joker has pulled the pin on an unsuspecting camper (put the lock in so the keyhole is facing up - less hassle to unlock). True? Who knows, but a lock prevents that. If you choose not to use a padlock, at least check the pin every time before you depart any location.
Keep asking questions - that's what forums are for.
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07-23-2018, 01:09 PM #20
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This of course will start a bit of controversy, but hey - let's talk.
Cheat #1 - The correct way is to always do a pull test - no argument. But, if you guide the pin into the hitch correctly (ie - slide the pin plate up on the slant of the receiver plate) and you are able to insert your safety pin and you take a flashlight and look at the actual hitch connection and see the pin trapped by the jaw so there is no high pinning, what is wrong with that? I asked because ... well ... I have cheated before. Then again, I never had a high pin.
Cheat #2 - on a flat concrete or solid gravel pad, I never bother with chocks. I don't think a 20,000 lb rig with downward pressure on six LevelUp jacks and snap pads on the bottom is ever going to move one iota. Remember, this is only on a flat pad.
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