Are Jaws Open or Closed on Reese Hitch When Hooking Up

Updated 06/11/2021 | Published 06/10/2021

Question:

When connecting my 5th wheel trailer to my Reese rp30047 hitch I start with the jaws closed and back into the hitch. When the king pin hits the jaws it opens the m and then they close. The last time I did this the jaws would not open because the handle would not open because the locking slot was catching on the side of the hitch frame. Am I’m doing something wrong? This is the way that my dealer said to do it, but I have seen videos where they show the jaws locked open, then back in,and then close the jaws. Which way is correct/recommended?

asked by: Tom M

Expert Reply:

For the Reese Reese 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch, # RP30047, the manufacturer instructions state:

Rotate latch toward trailer and free of groove in handle.

NOTE: Hitch jaws will not open and proper hitching cannot occur if latch is in handle groove.

With handle in the closed position, back truck slowly into trailer. As the trailer king pin enters the hitch it will push the hitch jaws open and extend the handle. As king pin completely enters head, jaws will spring closed around king pin and handle will return to the closed position.

expert reply by: Michael R