Easy removal of 5th wheel hitch?

[bob257]

Does anyone know a quick way to remove a fifth wheel hitch so I can use the bed of the truck? I can't fit into the garage to use a hoist and I don't have any trees.

 

[RustyJC]

Is your 5th wheel close by? If so, hitch up as normal, pull the pins (or whatever) that retain your 5th wheel hitch in the truck bed, and use the front jacks of the 5th wheel to lift the 5th wheel hitch enough that you can drive out from under it. Reverse the process to reinstall the hitch.



Rusty

 

[B.G. Smith]

Probably not that heavy. Mine is a 16K Reece and I just take the top part off then disconnect the bottom and slide it to the tail gate then lift to ground. bg

 

[Wertles]

The slider adds considerable weight to the hitch. I used to be able to throw the hitch on and off by myself with ease until I got the slider. Now I need two cold beers and a friend. It's definitely a two man job, not only because of the added weight, but because the shape is also much more cumbersome and awkward.

 

[B.G. Smith]

The slider adds considerable weight to the hitch. I used to be able to throw the hitch on and off by myself with ease until I got the slider. Now I need two cold beers and a friend. It's definitely a two man job, not only because of the added weight, but because the shape is also much more cumbersome and awkward.

Yep, a slider would add challenges. It would probably want to hang whomper jawed if left on the trailer pin and be very hard to get under it with the truck. bg

 

[mwilson]

whomper jawed

Wow, I have never heard of that before. I am working hard trying to get a visual and a translation... ... ..... :-laf



I think the Maine equivalent would be "Twisted Up Some Kinda' Wicked Haaaad"... ... ... .



We don't use many "R's" in speech so

Car = Caaaaah

Hard = Haaaaad

Barn = Baaaaan



Mike.

 

[RustyJC]

Yep, a slider would add challenges. It would probably want to hang whomper jawed if left on the trailer pin and be very hard to get under it with the truck. bg

Conversely, being a slider, it would be seem to be easy enough to slide it to a balance point where the frame of the hitch was balanced under the head. If it were me, it would be worth a try. As always, of course, YMMV... .



Rusty

 

[B.G. Smith]

Wow, I have never heard of that before. I am working hard trying to get a visual and a translation... ... ..... :-laf



I think the Maine equivalent would be "Twisted Up Some Kinda' Wicked Haaaad"... ... ... .



We don't use many "R's" in speech so

Car = Caaaaah

Hard = Haaaaad

Barn = Baaaaan



Mike.

I think you nailed it. Might have to get Harvey or Bill to give a better teranslation. bg

 

[Grunt]

I installed a Harbor freight crane in the bed of my pickup. Works good loading/unloading my sliding 5th wheel hitch and 3000w Honda generator. If you do thismake the base pad larger to distribute the load better

This sits behind the fenderwell.



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[Wertles]

The slider will only lock in position at either end of the rails so trying to get it to stay put once balanced would be tricky. I am not sure that it makes much sense since the pin on the trailer carries so much weight, but i still don't like the idea of hanging 160 pounds from it for any extended length of time. That in bed crane would have been real nice yesterday as I was trying to unload a 300 pound tool box with the wife.

 

[RustyJC]

The slider will only lock in position at either end of the rails... ...

A couple of screw-type hose clamps on the slider tubes on either side of the sliding frame will hold it wherever you want it. If it worries you or is too complicated, don't do it.



Rusty

 

[Jim W]

How much does a 16K Reese slider hitch weighs?



I take mine in and out all the time. I remove the locking jaw apparatus then the slider mechanism. I then place them in the corner of the garage for storage, when I am not pulling the 5er. I also have the blue ox bed saver installed on the slider portion.

Jim W.

 

[Superdawg]

I have a wooden tool cart on wheels that is about the same height as the tailgate. I slide the hitch onto the cart and into the gaaaaage when not towing. Beats the heck out of picking it up and setting it up down when the hitch weighs around 300 lbs. I do separate the head unit to make it easier.

 

[surfbeetle]

I have a wooden tool cart on wheels that is about the same height as the tailgate. I slide the hitch onto the cart and into the gaaaaage when not towing. Beats the heck out of picking it up and setting it up down when the hitch weighs around 300 lbs. I do separate the head unit to make it easier.

I do the same although I have just separated the two parts and carry them out separately.

 

[MMeier]

Wow, I have never heard of that before. I am working hard trying to get a visual and a translation... ... ..... :-laf



I think the Maine equivalent would be "Twisted Up Some Kinda' Wicked Haaaad"... ... ... .



We don't use many "R's" in speech so

Car = Caaaaah

Hard = Haaaaad

Barn = Baaaaan



Mike.

Maine, sounds like Joisey to me !

 

[MLee]

How about an engine hoist, they fold up to nothing for storage. Just have to figure up rigging. There is a pin available that will fit into the jaws for lifting. Or fab one up.