Overthinker

I'm selling my BD5 if you are still in the market. Has GM puck system.

Thanks for the input. Hopefully I will have some updates soon.

Nice work and explanation. I found a plate on Amazon that advertises 1/8" thick. I ordered one to try.

I ordered a 3/16" and a 1/8" to see if I can get one of those to work. Looking forward to cleaning all the grease off that I applied after ours wouldn't work.

Yes and that's one. of the most frustrating things, I can see a gap. I spoke with Henry and he had thinks it's probably the "fingers" on the jaws. He suggested dropping the jacks and nudging the truck slightly backward and applying the parking brake at that point. We probable won't have another trip for awhile so we will see then.

I appreciate all the replies, I'm sure it will become second nature and I'm going to try your suggestions. I also like knowing how things work and I'm trying to figure out why the ET is so much more cantankerous than the Trailer Saver. No breaker bar needed (which I didn't get one with my ET) and as soon as I opened the jaws, no matter the angle, the kingpin released.

Definitely interested in a thin lube plate as the one we had isn't compatible with ET. I'm not a fan of a greasy top plate, but greasing the jaws is interesting.

We took our first trip in our new Volvo with a new ET Senior hitch and experienced several issues. The most troublesome problem we are having is the hitch doesn't want to release the kingpin. We haven't experienced this issue with other hitches and was wondering if anyone else has had this issue and what a possible solution might be. We aren't using a lube plate because we found it wasn't compatible with the hitch. The only times we didn't have a problem were when the trailer and truck were both completely level and the on asphalt. If everything wasn't completely aligned and the trailer was on dirt, gravel, or sand the jaws were still under so much tension they would drag the trailer as we attempted to pull forward. We could essentially hook and unhook our trailer saver from any orientation without issue. We might be going back to the Trailer Saver if asphalt and perfect alignment are a requirement for the ET because that is a rarity for our use.

It's registered as a motorhome and we've already purchased the porta potti, microwave, and working on fenders. Bed design is in my head and to come. We will be pulling our 5th wheel and will be using it as a dual purpose vehicle. I'm planning to essentially use it as a pick up since I traded mine in. I know, It's going to get interesting.

Time to add brake controller and hitch. Would like to know of any other must haves or suggestions.

So is the right place for the red wire when using a DirecLink where Henry has it in the picture? I feel confident he's correct but just curious.

Used this thread and the cliff notes version and after looking at book realized Green needs to be longer for marker lights. I think the jumper will be fine. Yes, Henry's wiring looks better and I still can't find the other 4 cover screws. I'm wondering if it was assembled with the 2 to hold the cover on and the others were meant to be installed later and it was overlooked.

Just started wiring my Jackalopee and the cover only has two of the small screws with O-rings. I can't find them anywhere, does Henry have a clever hiding spot that I'm missing?

I agree with everything you said. Plan to install seat belts and I've been looking at the possibility to install a net for the entire sleeper area for use while driving. I've never been a fan of people roaming around in motorhomes while driving. I hope to spend an hour or two with dealer going over everything. We ordered essentially every option available and I have no idea how to work most of it. Our dump truck has a shifter, clutch, brake, throttle, and PTO; that's about all I know how to operate.

I'm so thankful you are posting this, just at the right time. Hope to be doing my install next week.

Thanks everyone,I hope to see you out on the road soon. We have a trip scheduled for CO and then time to get home and start on the bed. I'm hoping not having fenders won't beat me up too bad on this first trip.

Thanks!

So I'm getting really excited and I want to let everyone see our new truck. Picked up the ET hitch today and getting the truck Thursday. We've been going through the ordering process since October of 2020.

Thanks, we are definitely excited.

That doesn't sound good, we have an 8 hour drive home on Thursday. Hope we make it back.

That's awesome lol! I wouldn't mind someone to drive me and the family around. My wife wouldn't tow with the dually but says she will drive the new truck so I can rest haha. I will probably be even more stressed out.

Thanks for being so thorough. Maybe it will make sense when I get the parts here. I have the Jacklopee and ordered the Direclink this evening. According to your post I need to order the 16 pin HDT module kit and it should be plug and play other than one wire running to the Jackalopee. I'm a little nervous about wiring the Jackalopee up on a new truck and installing the ET hitch but I'm sure I'll figure it out. I have about 2 weeks to get everything done before our vacation.

After over a year in planning and waiting, we are going to pick our new Volvo up on Thursday. Thanks again for the help in ordering our options.

Anyone know how many pins are on the OBD II port on the new Volvo’s?

Does the Hayes play well with the Jackalope? I see the other suggestion is designed to work with it but you have to purchase another part.