what usually happens to a fifth wheel hitch in a wreck?

[trailmix]

Towing home from a fantastic weekend of camping and was rear ended HARD in the rear of the trailer! This impact was at a very sharp angle as an illy operated SUV attempted to cut over from behind me quickly, and in front of another car that was in the next lane. The sharp angle forced the fifth wheel to somewhat skid out from behind the truck, requiring evasive maneuvers. TV is a Ram 2500 diesel pulling a nearly brand new 2019 GD Reflection 303RLS. I use the Andersen Ultimate hitch. The impact jarred the hitch base off of the turnover ball - mostly because the base of the tube and the locking pin both bent under the pressure (pics attached). On a positive note, the hitch remained upright and the safety chains kept the TV and trailer connected, allowing me to slow to a stop. The TN Highway Patrolman stated he had never seen that type of hitch, but he would have expected a full rollover in such an event.

I'm new to the fiver life, so here's my question - what usually happens to a traditional type hitch in an event like this? Does it break, does it break away from the rails in the truck? etc? Asking as I may be getting a new trailer, but I'm definitely getting a new hitch to replace the damaged one. Safety is now one of my biggest concerns. I know what I get with the Andersen, I'd like some feedback on what experience others have seen in similar situations for different hitch types.

Thanks in advance,
Trailmix

[TucsonJim]

Wow! That could have been a lot worse. I'm guessing here. But with enough energy, any part of any hitch could fail. However, I have seen trucks and FW's turned over in extreme accidents or wind storms and they were still connected to their conventional FW hitch.

BTW - Not to derail the subject too much. But be careful carrying flammable items in the back of your truck like firewood. When our truck caught on fire in 2016, we had several flammable items including firewood in the bed of the truck. They caught on fire and the flames spread into the FW and destroyed it.

JIm

[trailmix]

Wow! That could have been a lot worse. I'm guessing here. But with enough energy, any part of any hitch could fail. However, I have seen trucks and FW's turned over in extreme accidents or wind storms and they were still connected to their conventional FW hitch.

BTW - Not to derail the subject too much. But be careful carrying flammable items in the back of your truck like firewood. When our truck caught on fire in 2016, we had several flammable items including firewood in the bed of the truck. They caught on fire and the flames spread into the FW and destroyed it.

JIm

Good point - Thank you

[Country Campers]

Like Jim said "WOW". I do not know much about fifth wheel hitches we just got thru our first year with one. After these pics and a previous discussion on another accident I am not a fan of this hitch.
Hope everyone is well.

Brian

[howson]

...

I don't anything technical to add to this conversation, just want to say I'm glad you and yours are uninjured.

[Cate&Rob]

Hi trailmix,

Thanks for sharing this . . . and thankfully you got through this safely.

In a conventional 5th wheel hitch this would be driving the trailer pin into the strongest part of the hitch. The pins retaining the hitch to the rails and the rails bolted to the truck frame should have been able to survive this. It is definitely scary that you Andersen came off the ball and it was the safety chains (which many do not use) that kept everything together.

Rob

[DaveMatthewsBand]

I’ve never seen or heard of any other type of 5th wheel hitch failure.
I have a B&W and can’t see any force ever being able to crush or bend it the way I’ve seen those Andersen’s collapse.




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[Canyonlight]

Trailmix - thanks, for sharing the pictures and narrative. Good to hear you all were not hurt......WOW ! It will be interesting to hear your reports on how extensive the damage is to your 303.......it could be the hard to see things that add up. It may also be worth consideration to share the pictures and details with AUH for their feedback. It is alarming to see any hitch come loose. As other have shared, I too have not heard of other conventional fiver hitches become dislodged from the mounting area.

Dan

[Aridon]

Glad you are ok. I'd also love to see how the trailer held up damage wise.

Good luck with the insurance process.

[kevinpo]

Yikes! Glad it was not more serious. I was considering the same hitch but now will go with the factory RAM or the B&W. Hope your trailer is not too badly injured.

All the best,
Kevin