mbrule
Massachusetts
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Joined: 08/10/2011
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Sorry for the dramatic title, but it got you to look!
It seems the "5th Wheel Latch Kit aka Bedsaver" thread has disappeared!?!?!?! I hope I did not do something wrong in my post to get it deleted.
I had posted regarding hitch failures, I am interested in what are the types of hitch failures where some type of "bed saving device" would be useful.
Human error is, I think, the most likely error. What I am wondering is, within the wealth of knowledge here:
What are the possible mechanical failures where a "bed saving device" would be useful? What is the likelihood of such a failure? Has anybody witnessed or experienced such failure.
I am interested in some type of "bed saving device" but am unsure whether an active or passive solution would be best for me, hence the question.
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Jonny B
Sacramento
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in my opinion. and i havent been doing this too long but from my vast readings and questions i have given all other 5er owners. it is very rare that the kingpin comes loose because of mechanical failure. I make sure to always look and make sure the bar is secured across the kingpin before lifting the tailgate. I also do a small pull test with my landing legs up about 4 inches off the ground I pull forward about a foot or two. If it falls it falls only 4 inches. I have never had an incident (knock on wood). I have heard of many pinboxes breaking away from the trailer at the welds or bolts. but that is not something you can prevent in my opinion. just do routine inspections and pay attention.
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mowermech
Billings, MT
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During three years of full-timing in a fifth wheel, moving every 13 weeks, I found that the best "bed saving device" was resting right between my ears.
Good thing, too, because the other gadgets hadn't been invented yet!
At least, I never saw any mention of them.
HOWEVER, it is basically a "cheap insurance" or "peace of mind" item.
If that is what you want, you should definitely buy one!
CM1, USN (RET)
'94 Dodge 3500 4X2 CTD, 5 speed, 4.10 LS diff., Jacobs Rambrake, 275,000 Miles
'95 Tioga 29H Ford-based Class C
Daily driver: 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Hemi
Toad: 2006 Jeep Rubicon LJ
"When seconds count, help is only minutes away!"
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Old-Biscuit
Across the USA
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Joined: 06/20/2009
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I have yet to hear/read of a hitch failure where a 'bed saver' would prevent damage.
I have heard of and witnessed an 'operator error/failure' where a bed saver would have prevented damage (and one that did prevent damage).
'Operator error' was due to high hitching and 'failure' to visually check & then do a proper pull test which resulted in 5'vr not being properly hitched/latched and falling on bed of truck when truck moved forward and trailer dropped....damaging sidewalls of truck bed and overhang on 5'vr 
The only other so called hitch failures involved pin box & Lippert frames....bed saver wouldn't make a difference
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bpounds
Whittier CA
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The various "bedsavers" are popular with those who have little confidence in their equipment and themselves. I've never seen one installed around the campgrounds I visit, and I often peek in truck beds to see what folks are using. But obviously there are enough folks out there to keep that business running. Pretty small percentage in my estimation.
Bill and Carol
2006 F250 Diesel
2011 Keystone Cougar 278RKSWE Fiver
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JIMNLIN
out here
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Joined: 09/14/2003
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Topics been beat to death. I did a search on the subject and found pages for your reading. IMO this thread will most likely get closed also from wise azz/demeaning comments.
This copied in part from "webslave" on another bedsaver topic who says it best. Hope he doesn't mind as it says much on bothe sides of the topic;
"I think all that is pertinent has probably been said...if you want a device to prevent an accidental mishap to your truck bed, there a numerous devices out there and several different engineering methods to achieve that goal, or as one poster has done, build one of your own design. If you feel the need or simply want such a device as "insurance" or "peace of mind", pick one. If you don't feel the need for such a device or don't want the added complexity and cost, no one is going to think badly of you for your decision."
"good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" ............ Will Rogers
'03 2500 QC Dodge/Cummins HO 3.73 6 speed manual Jacobs Westach
'97 Park Avanue 28' 5er 11200 gvwr two slides
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John Bridge
Houston
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Jim N Lin wrote:If you don't feel the need for such a device or don't want the added complexity and cost, no one is going to think badly of you for your decision."
Oh, I think someone will. They just haven't seen this thread yet. 
Semi-"retarred" in 2006. :-) 2008 Newmar Cypress 5th wheel, 2008 Dodge diesel dually to pull it with.
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Irelands child
Upstate New York
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If you are prone to CRS or senior moments, a Bed Saver is a great invention. They work, and proven to me in my own driveway after a bout of CRS(no damage except some scratched paint on the Bed Saver). I now employ a printed check list of things I have to do when hitching and unhitching - and my Bed Saver, resting comfortably in the corner of my garage. It may again be used on an extended trip, but maybe not
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laknox
Arizona
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Buying a hitch with an inherently "safe" locking mechanism, like my B&W Companion, is the first step. Second is to double-check everything. Third is to do a pull-test. Fourth is to re-check everything again. Personally, my one, and so far only, hitch failure was not in hitching, but in =installing= my Companion. I high-hitched the Companion by not getting it fully into the socket before releasing the anchor pin. Since the hold-down tube was =above= the anchor pin, the pin seated normally, just not holding anything down. I hitched up my FW at the dealer and drove about 10 miles home, wondering why it was chucking so badly. 'Bout soiled myself when I got home and started checking things out. I =have= dropped my GN off the ball, when trying to hitch up, and there's a nice dent in my bed where the trailer landed. Jack was about 1" too high when the truck decided to roll about 1/2", and down it came. :-)
Lyle
2002 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Duramax Crew Cab 4x4
Banks Bullet Tuner and Monster Exhaust
B&W Turnover Ball with 5th Wheel Companion
2004 Komfort 25FSG Fifth Wheel
1936 John Deere Model A
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wandering1
Texas
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No one has been able to identify an actual hitch failure. All they think is the king pin somehow came out of the hitch and their 5er fell on their truck bed. What causes the problem, and not the hitch failure, is that people dont pay enough attention when hitching up to make sure the hitch pin has entered the hitch between the hitch jaws and the hitch jaws have closed around the hitch pin, and the hitch handle has slid all the way back into place where the latch can be placed down on the hitch handle to lock the hitch jaws. Just to make sure, you should walk around behind the hitch and make sure the jaws are locked around the pin. The problem is they are high hitched. They did not have the hitch pin low enough to go between the hitch jaws and did not stop to look to make sure the jaws were wrapped around the hitch pin. Never pull the handle out to hitch up, leave it all the way in and raise the latch off the handle. When the hitch pin goes between the jaws, the handle will come out and will slam back when the hitch pin is between the jaws, that helps in knowing the hitch pin is between the jaws. If you dont want to take the time to do it right and have plenty of money to burn get a bed saver.
HR
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