5er Hitch

[RonS]

I have a 20K Valley hitch, not a slider. Having towed with it for two years, I thought it was time to give it a little lube. Gave everything inside a squirt of white grease. Everything now moves nice and easy. While hooked up and getting fuel, was standing next to the release handle. So just reached up and turned the handle and gave a slight tug, the jaw opened up. Scarred the sh--out of me. If I would have driven out, I would have dropped the trailer on the truck. This is not good. Has anyone experieced this with your hitch????

I am now trying to see if I can come up with some type of locking system. Anyone could pull the handle when I was not watching and then we all know what damage that would cause. I have a dually, so the locking system must be within reach. Any ideas???

[Motor31]

Get a loop of chain or heavy wire and simply loop it over the handle. Use a pad lock to hold it in place. A pin and cotter pin would also work. You'll have to modify the handle to use either idea.

[bstark]

Does your Valley hitch have a bolt through the handle near the head? The folks I've seen using those hitches have replaced that bolt with a common hitch pin so that they can easily remove the entire handle and stow it inside the truck for safekeeping thereby preventing someone from unhooking your trailer.