backing up to the hitch

When I had my SuperGlide hitch, I used 2 bungee cords on left & right front corners to pull the hitch head forward. This ensured that the hitch had not pivoted slightly and made hooking up a breeze. Unhook the bungees when done.

Good information. I'm very short and cannot see marks on the hitch. I've just learned to use the pin box, and line the pin box by the center slide window in the rear. Now that I have a dually my rear fenders line up almost perfectly with the outside walls of the 5th. I still get out and double check center but also check if my pin box is too high or too low. Thanks for the information.

djgarcia wrote:

3ares wrote:
My hitch is a automatic Pullrite for shortbed trucks
To help me backup to the 5er hitch:
1) I put alignment marks on the hitch to center it
2) I put a white mark on the center of the hitch that is visible from the truck
3) Put a white mark on the center of the pin box
4) on the back window of the truck I put two red marks 1/2 inch apart dead center
5) align all white marks inside the red marks; your good to go

Right on! the only thing would add:
When backing up and the 5th. wheel hitch is about 5 inches from sliding up onto the bed hitch stop, get out and from a side view, make sure the 5th wheel trailer hitch is approx. 3 inches LOWER than the bed hitch/plate, just low enough so the trailer hitch has to slide up onto the truck hitch by pushing the truck hitch down. Just keep backing up real slow until you hear the "clunk" sound. Stop and check that the hitch lock mechanism is secure. Then put a block in front of the rear trailer tire. Make sure the front jacks are extended down about an inch from the ground. Now do the "bump" test buy driving very slowly about 4 inches in order to make sure your truck and 5th. wheel hitch is secure/locked:)

Lower, yes
3" Lower, that's a bit much.

You just need enough to ensure the pin box pushes down a bit, so you don't accidentally high hitch (ie: the pin sits on top of the jaws). You don't really want to try to lift the legs off the ground by backing into it.

I shoot for around 1" low. The truck springs absorb that while the legs stay on the ground.

I simply placed a IP camera on the hitch and linked it to my laptop.
you can actually see what your doing.

Posted: 03/28/15 09:40pm Link | Quote | Print | Notify Moderator
3ares wrote:

My hitch is a automatic Pullrite for shortbed trucks
To help me backup to the 5er hitch:
1) I put alignment marks on the hitch to center it
2) I put a white mark on the center of the hitch that is visible from the truck
3) Put a white mark on the center of the pin box
4) on the back window of the truck I put two red marks 1/2 inch apart dead center
5) align all white marks inside the red marks; your good to go


Right on! the only thing would add:
When backing up and the 5th. wheel hitch is about 5 inches from sliding up onto the bed hitch stop, get out and from a side view, make sure the 5th wheel trailer hitch is approx. 3 inches LOWER than the bed hitch/plate, just low enough so the trailer hitch has to slide up onto the truck hitch by pushing the truck hitch down. Just keep backing up real slow until you hear the "clunk" sound. Stop and check that the hitch lock mechanism is secure. Then put a block in front of the rear trailer tire. Make sure the front jacks are extended down about an inch from the ground. Now do the "bump" test buy driving very slowly about 4 inches in order to make sure your truck and 5th. wheel hitch is secure/locked

3ares,

With the landing gear down about 1/2 inch from the ground I connect the trailer cord to truck and manually over ride the trailer brakes with the truck in drive to check brakes and hitch lock. Then raise the landing gear. DW checks for clearence and that the campsite is as we found it.

Happy Camping

i have same one pullrite i have a 5th wheel tail gate if i get thru it evenly i will hookup no problem

3ares wrote:
My hitch is a automatic Pullrite for shortbed trucks
To help me backup to the 5er hitch:
1) I put alignment marks on the hitch to center it
2) I put a white mark on the center of the hitch that is visible from the truck
3) Put a white mark on the center of the pin box
4) on the back window of the truck I put two red marks 1/2 inch apart dead center
5) align all white marks inside the red marks; your good to go

Right on! the only thing would add:
When backing up and the 5th. wheel hitch is about 5 inches from sliding up onto the bed hitch stop, get out and from a side view, make sure the 5th wheel trailer hitch is approx. 3 inches LOWER than the bed hitch/plate, just low enough so the trailer hitch has to slide up onto the truck hitch by pushing the truck hitch down. Just keep backing up real slow until you hear the "clunk" sound. Stop and check that the hitch lock mechanism is secure. Then put a block in front of the rear trailer tire. Make sure the front jacks are extended down about an inch from the ground. Now do the "bump" test buy driving very slowly about 4 inches in order to make sure your truck and 5th. wheel hitch is secure/locked:)

Do the marks help when you have to hitch at an angle?

Good info, thanks for the tips!