Holland Simplex 5th wheel stuck locked

Poor Guy by now has grease and diesel fuel all over him, slipped on ice and quit Job.

 

One time I had a 5th wheel that refused to give me it.

PROFANITY I spew towing on the dam thing. Spouse was unhappy, she came out and with a finger popped the handle and Mr CLINK released the trailer and told me that's quite enough of that....

Sometimes I wonder...

 

Once in sub zero weather, Trying to hook a trailer on ice, I raised the trailer too high.Ended up with pin on top of locked jaws, I pulled it out off ice and turned to the left and straightened it out, the whole jaw mechanism spun inside. Wouldn’t budge or open, so I sat Trailer back on jaws pulled it while making a right turn, and got lucky, jaws straightened out. Thought I’d be buying a new 5 th wheel that day. That was weird. Never gave me any trouble afterwards. I didn’t know that was even possible.

 

Pull the handle out as far as you can. Take a visegrip and clamp it on the handle close to the 5th wheel so it can't retract.Then take a pry bar and try to open the jaws.If that doesn't work or you don't understand what I'm saying call your company. A broken 5th wheel is nothing to fool with.If you need a new one, let me know, I've got a couple of nice ones, p/u only.

 

We got the handle pushed back in. Had to beat the lever arm to get it in but we did. Still no go.

 

See if a shop can either scrap that wheel or fix it...

 

Did you ever get er open?

 

No not yet. Trying again tomorrow- we are on an event site doing a setup so it is not holding me up right now but I will need to get it un-coupled soon-

 

The handle and lever is connected

 

As long as the handle is all the way in you should be alright driving.I'm thinking maybe the trailer is on an angle and is holding the catch.when you get the rig out on the road, find a nice hard level spot and try it again.In all the years I've been driving I can't remember ever driving a rig with that style 5th wheel.I've always had the ones that split in the center.What are you hauling?