Forum Discussion

Bob_Vaughn's avatar
Bob_Vaughn
Explorer
Feb 08, 2014

5th wheel hitch hanging from king pin

I would like to be able to use the bed of my truck but do not have the strength to remove the 5th wheel hitch. Is it a safe practice to hook the rv to the hitch, pull the bed rail pins and raise the front of the 5th wheel? Are the motors on the front landing jacks strong enough to lift the added 300 or so lbs ? I wonder what would happen when I go to reattach the hitch to the bed again?
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    MFL wrote:
    I have no personal experience with this, but have seen hitches hanging from the pin. I think in most cases the motors and assembly would be strong enough to lift an extra 300 lbs.

    My choice would be to rig a hoist, in the garage, to back under, and lift the hitch out. Then lower it onto a wheeled cart, to park it in a corner out of the way.

    Jerry


    X@ the legs hold up the front when you go to bed!! I don't think the weight of hitch will make a differance.
  • I do it all of the time. As for connecting back not much more difficult than hitching a goose neck on a ball. The DW helps in the final line up.
    I lock the hitch to the king pin so there is no danger of an accidental release.
    The landing gear is lifting 3000-4000 lbs so I doubt the extra weight will make much difference. My gear motor does not seem to labor any different than without the hitch attached.
  • I have no personal experience with this, but have seen hitches hanging from the pin. I think in most cases the motors and assembly would be strong enough to lift an extra 300 lbs.

    My choice would be to rig a hoist, in the garage, to back under, and lift the hitch out. Then lower it onto a wheeled cart, to park it in a corner out of the way.

    Jerry
  • Should not be a problem at all, I do it whenever there is no one around to help me lift mine out. I leave it on the camper for winter storage also as I use my truck to haul "stuff" in the winter and do not have to worry about it sitting around in the garage. The hardest part is getting to align up with the holes when putting it back in but it is not that bad.