Curt A20 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch Jaws Will Not Open to Uncouple Trailer

Updated 12/05/2013 | Published 12/04/2013

Question:

I have had a recurring problem with uncoupling my 2014 Arctic Fox 27-5L with a 5th Airborne pin box from a recently bought Curt A20 with rails 5th wheel hitch. The Curt hitch is installed on a 2002 Chevy Silverado HD Duramax diesel crew cab with a short bed. The jaws on the 5th wheel hitch do not open easily when pulling the lock bar. The lock bar doesnt budge no matter how hard I pull on the bar. I have made sure that the flip lock is in the unlocked position before trying to uncouple. I have tried to raise and lower the trailer to take some pressure of the slide plate and have backed the truck slightly against the king pin to try to loosen the force against it. I have beed able to uncouple but only after spending at least 30 to 45 minutes trying to do so each time. I am sure there is something that I am not doing correctly to simplify this maneuver. I am in great need of help. Thank you.

asked by: Nick C

Expert Reply:

It sounds like there may be something mechanically wrong with the Curt hitch # C16541. If the trailer king pin ever rested on top of the jaws or it was locked and the king pin ran into them it could have damaged something and now it is behaving in this manner.

Or if this is a new problem it could just be that the hitch needs to be lubricated. Follow the maintenance instructions for the areas that require lubrication. You do not want to just use any grease because some greases are not compatible with each other. Follow the manufacturer recommendations which call for black graphite grease for the jaws, pins, and lower bearing assembly jaw. You will also need to grease the pocket for the spiral cam which is below the driver side jaw. The jaws must be open to access it.

expert reply by: Michael H