Fifth wheel would not release

Yes clockwise.

See if the rubber washer is tight when latched. Condition?

 

Okay, on my old Pete, below zero, it wouldn't latch unless I really mashed the pin. Did you set the trailer brakes, back up a little, then set the truck brakes? 5th wheels are goofy, once, cabover Frightliner, I couldn't get the thing to let go, I tried everything, old timer saw I was just a little bit not straight, made it perfectly straight, bingo. Years ago, we'd soak the 5th wheel in diesel fuel, probably go to prison for that today.

 

Ok

 

Ok

 

I had one a few years ago that was not latching
Finally got it to hook and then had a shop mechanic where I was loading take a look

It was some grease and crud build up under the plate that wasn’t visible
He took off the plate and cleaned everything
Worked perfect after that

 

Yeah, the "mystery bolt", never knew what that did. I wouldn't say it's a fluke, nothing in trucking is a fluke, and if you go with another one, hit the boneyards. With all the wrecks, should be no problem. I see they go for like $2-$300 bucks. I knew guys that had theirs rebuilt, but that's risky. Like GYPSY sez, it's probably grease and crud.