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2.09.21.RH.rev A
SAFETY CHECKS
UNHITCHING
1. Shine a light on the Fifth Wheel Plate Lock Jaw Assembly making sure it has closed around the king pin.
2. Pull the Release Handle towards you without lifting it up. If the Lock Jaw Assembly is completely closed the Handle
Catch will prevent you from being able to pull the Release Handle open.
3. Raise the trailer jack base plates just above the ground, lock your trailer brakes, then pull the tow vehicle slowly
forward putting a strain on the trailer.
4. When you are assured that the trailer is safely hooked up, raise your trailer jacks into their full retracted position.
FAILURE TO PERFORM THESE SAFETY CHECKS MAY RESULT IN DAMAGES TO TRUCK AND TRAILER.
WARNING:
Never perform any of the following actions while any part of a person is between the vehicle and the trailer.
1. Once you have the trailer located and are ready to unhitch, block the trailer wheels so it will not roll back or forward.
Back into the blocked trailer slightly and set the parking brake while you are still in gear. This action will relieve
pressure on the lock mechanism before attempting to release the latch mechanism.
2. Lower the trailer jacks to the point of just touching the ground but do not raise the trailer at this point.
3.
Open the Lock Jaw Assembly by first lifting, then pulling the Release Handle towards you (see pages 9 & 10).
4. Lower the trailer jacks until the bottom of the king pin box is almost free of the top of the Fifth Wheel Plate. Make
certain that the bottom of the king pin is not so high that binding on the hitch Lock Catch would result.
5. After lowering the truck’s tailgate, disconnect the trailer electrical cord and break-away switch cable, then pull forward.
6. As the king pin slides from the Fifth Wheel Plate, notice that the locking mechanism remains open once the king pin is
removed.
CAUTION
: If it should be necessary to reposition your trailer, you must follow the hitching procedures to ensure the
hitch is latched before moving the trailer.
CAUTION
: You may wish to keep the plate closed until you are ready to re-hitch to avoid injury or accidents to
children or adults who attempt to operate the plate mechanism. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TRIP THE LOCK
MECHANISM WITH YOUR HAND, USE A PROBE TO SIMULATE THE KING PIN.
